The city of Aurora is a very large and expansive city and is economically and ethnically diverse.  Aurora  is located just east of Denver, covers 142 square miles and has a population of 314,326 residents.  City ethnicity is 51% white, 29% Hispanic/Latino, 15% African America, 4% Asian and 1% other.  30% of the population speaks a language other than English at home.

The population includes 9% under the age of 5, 9% age 5-17, 73% over the age of 17 and 9% age 65 and older. The median household income is $48,815 and 13% of households are below poverty level.  85% of the population is a high school graduate and 25% have a bachelors degree or higher.  63% of the children in Aurora Public Schools are on free or reduced lunches while Cherry Creek School District has 24% of the students on free or reduced lunches.  The Colorado Health Disparities Profile for Arapahoe County (which includes the city of Aurora) indicates that 31% of the children are overweight or obese and 20% of the adult population is obese.   19% of adults smoke and 12% of the residents are in poor or fair health.

Along with a variety of parks throughout the city, there are 5 recreation centers (including an older adult center and 2 indoor pools) and an additional 5 outdoor summer pools.  The Aurora trail system is composed of a series of on-street bike lanes, sidewalks and off street trails. Two school districts serve the city, Aurora Public Schools and Cherry Creek School District.  Buckley Air Force Base is also located within the city.