Editing Aurora, Missouri

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Aurora, Missouri
| settlement_type                 = [[City]]
| nickname                        = 
| motto                           = 
| image_skyline                   = 
| imagesize                       = 
| image_caption                   = 
| image_flag                      = 
| image_seal                      = 
| image_map                       = Lawrence_County_Missouri_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Aurora_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                         = 250px
| map_caption                     = Location of Aurora, Missouri
| image_map1                      = 
| mapsize1                        = 
| map_caption1                    = 
| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name                = United States
| subdivision_type1               = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[Missouri]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of counties in Missouri|County]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Lawrence County, Missouri|Lawrence]]
| government_footnotes            = 
| government_type                 = Council - Manager
| leader_title                    = 
| leader_name                     = 
| leader_title1                   = 
| leader_name1                    = 
| established_title               = Founded
| established_date                = 1870
| established_title2              = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2               = 1885
| unit_pref                       = Imperial
| area_footnotes                  = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 28, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude                  = 
| area_total_km2                  = 16.39
| area_land_km2                   = 16.31
| area_water_km2                  = 0.08
| area_total_sq_mi                = 6.33
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 6.30
| area_water_sq_mi                = 0.03
| population_footnotes            = 
| population_as_of                = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_total                = 7219
| pop_est_footnotes               = 
| pop_est_as_of                   = 2023
| population_est                  = 7512
| population_density_km2          = 442.64
| population_density_sq_mi        = 1146.42
| timezone                        = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset                      = -6
| timezone_DST                    = CDT
| utc_offset_DST                  = -5
| elevation_footnotes             = 
| elevation_m                     = 427
| elevation_ft                    = 1401
| coordinates                     = {{coord|36|58|12|N|93|43|14|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type                = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code                     = 65605
| area_code                       = [[Area code 417|417]]
| blank_name                      = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info                      = 29-02548
| blank1_name                     = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info                     = 0713486<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
| website                         = [http://www.aurora-cityhall.org aurora-cityhall.org]
}}

'''Aurora''' is a city in [[Lawrence County, Missouri|Lawrence County]], [[Missouri]], United States. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 7,219.<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=United States Census Bureau|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates Tables|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|access-date=2020-07-22|website=The United States Census Bureau|language=EN-US}}</ref>

==History==
The Honey Creek area, near Aurora, was originally settled by pioneers from [[Tennessee]], including James D. Hillhouse, E. B. Hillhouse, Reverend A. A. Young, James Barrow and James Gibson. They were later instrumental in founding Aurora.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-02-08|title=Early History of Aurora|url=https://auroramohistoricalsociety.wordpress.com/2009/02/08/early-history-of-aurora/|access-date=2021-10-28|website=Aurora Missouri Historical Society|language=en}}</ref> Their descendants include actor [[Brad Pitt]] and novelist and national security analyst [[Raelynn Hillhouse]].

Aurora was [[plat]]ted in 1870 by Stephen G. Elliott.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://shsmo.org/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_lawrence.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624071704/http://shsmo.org/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_lawrence.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=24 June 2016 | title=Lawrence County Place Names, 1928–1945 (archived)| publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri| access-date=25 October 2016}}</ref> It was reportedly named after [[Aurora (mythology)|Aurora]], the Roman goddess of dawn.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RfAuAAAAYAAJ | title=How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named | publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri | author=Eaton, David Wolfe | year=1916 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RfAuAAAAYAAJ/page/n81 184]}}</ref>

[[Galena]] ore was discovered in 1885 while digging a well on the farm of Thomas D. Liles in November, marking the beginning of Aurora as a mining town.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Historic Map - Aurora, MO - 1891|url=https://www.worldmapsonline.com/historic-map-aurora-mo-1891/|access-date=2021-10-28|website=World Maps Online|language=en}}</ref>  Mining of surface outcrops began in 1886.<ref name="mining">{{Cite book|last=Holibaugh|first=John R.|url=https://archive.org/details/leadandzincmini00holigoog|title=The lead and zinc mining industry of southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas;|date=1895|publisher=New York and London, The Scientific publishing co.|others=University of California}}</ref> Large scale commercial mining began shortly afterwards as the mines grew deeper and [[zinc]] and galena were discovered. The zinc from the Aurora mines was of exceptional purity and high grade. By 1893, 12,651 tons of zinc ore were mined and shipped from Aurora.<ref name="mining" />  The mines attracted prospectors and miners. Aurora's population peaked at 10,000 ''circa'' 1900.

The Frisco Railroad (now [[BNSF Railway|Burlington Northern-Santa Fe]]) and the Missouri Pacific (now [[Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad]]) previously had depots in Aurora. The train master for the Missouri Pacific Railroad's White River division was headquartered in Aurora until the mid-1950s.

From 1911 to 1920, the virulently anti-Catholic newspaper [[The Menace (newspaper)|''The Menace'']] was published in Aurora by W. F. Phelps and Earl McClure. In 1914, it achieved a national circulation of over one million, according to the March 1932 issue of ''[[American Mercury]]''.

The [[Lewis Shaw Coleman House]] was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2016.<ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/nr/listings/20161028.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=2016-10-28|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 10/17/16 through 10/21/16|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>

==Geography==
Aurora is located at {{coord|36|58|12|N|93|43|14|W|type:city}} (36.969956, -93.720574).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|5.98|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|5.95|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-07-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1890 = 3482
| 1900 = 6191
| 1910 = 4148
| 1920 = 3575
| 1930 = 3875
| 1940 = 4056
| 1950 = 4153
| 1960 = 4683
| 1970 = 5359
| 1980 = 6437
| 1990 = 6459
| 2000 = 7014
| 2010 = 7508
| 2020 = 7219
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 15, 2014}}</ref><br>2013 Estimate<ref name="2013 Pop Estimate">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2013/SUB-EST2013-3.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013|access-date=June 15, 2014}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-07-08}}</ref> of 2010, there were 7,508 people, 2,948 households, and 1,943 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1261.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 3,396 housing units at an average density of {{convert|570.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 92.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.9% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 4.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.8% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 7.5% of the population.

There were 2,948 households, of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.1% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.09.

The median age in the city was 35.8 years. 27.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25% were from 25 to 44; 23.4% were from 45 to 64; and 15.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 7,014 people, 2,818 households, and 1,865 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,278.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,093 housing units at an average density of {{convert|563.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.68% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.26% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.83% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.26% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.34% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.64% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.71% of the population.

There were 2,818 households, out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city the population was spread out, with 27.7% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,118, and the median income for a family was $33,029. Males had a median income of $27,591 versus $17,603 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,410. About 14.4% of families and 18.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.0% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Transportation==
The [[Jerry Sumners Sr. Aurora Municipal Airport]] is located {{convert|2|nmi|mi km|spell=in}} southeast of Aurora's [[central business district]].<ref>{{FAA-airport|ID=2H2|use=PU|own=PU|site=11530.1*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective 30 June 2011.</ref>

==Education==
Aurora R-VIII School District operates one early childhood school, one middle school, one Jr high school, and Aurora High School.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.greatschools.org/missouri/aurora/aurora-r_viii-school-district/schools/ | title=Aurora R-Viii School District | publisher=Great Schools | access-date=17 March 2018}}</ref>

Aurora has a [[public library]], a branch of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www2.youseemore.com/blrl/contentpages.asp?loc=73 | title=Locations | publisher=Barry-Lawrence Regional Library | access-date=17 March 2018}}</ref>

==Media==
The local newspaper is ''The Aurora Advertiser''.

==Notable people==
* [[Arthur Barker|Arthur "Doc" Barker]], part of the [[Barker-Karpis gang]]; born in Aurora and died trying to escape from Alcatraz
* [[Fred Barker]], founding member of the Barker-Karpis gang; born in Aurora and died in a gun fight with the FBI
* [[Don S. Davis]], actor, best known for playing Major Garland Briggs on ''[[Twin Peaks]]'' and [[George Hammond (Stargate)|General George S. Hammond]] on ''[[Stargate SG-1]]''<ref>{{cite news |first=Kristine Anderson |last=Fulton |newspaper=[[The Nevada Daily Mail]] |location=[[Nevada, MO]] |title=Hollywood comes home to traditional, down-home lifestyle |page=1 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OM0hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=np4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6170%2C3113986 |date=August 28, 1992 |access-date=March 2, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Raelynn Hillhouse]], national security and intelligence community analyst, former smuggler during the Cold War, and a spy novelist
* [[Isaac V. McPherson]], (March 8, 1868 – October 31, 1931), [[United States House of Representatives|congressman]] from Missouri
* [[Frazier Glenn Miller, Jr.]], a [[white supremacist]] transplant from [[North Carolina]] known for his involvement with a [[Ku Klux Klan]] group and alleged perpetration of the [[Overland Park Jewish Community Center shooting]] in 2014
* [[Harvey Phillips]], American tuba player and Distinguished Professor in the [[Jacobs School of Music]] at [[Indiana University Bloomington]] popularly known as Mr. Tuba
* [[Lefty Williams]], pitcher for [[1917 World Series]] champion [[Chicago White Sox]], banned after [[Black Sox Scandal]]
* [[Johnny Lee Wilson case|Johnny Lee Wilson]], exonerated prisoner wrongly convicted of the 1986 murder of Pauline Mart

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{EB1911 poster|Aurora (Missouri)|Aurora, Missouri}}
* [http://www.aurora-cityhall.org/ City of Aurora]
* Historic maps of Aurora in the [http://dl.mospace.umsystem.edu/mu/islandora/object/mu%3A138700 Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection] at the [[University of Missouri]]

{{Lawrence County, Missouri}}
{{Missouri}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Lawrence County, Missouri]]
[[Category:Cities in Missouri]]