Aurora

History of Aurora

Aurora traces its origins to the summit of Cheat Mountain, where Reverend John Stough established the first settlement in 1787. John Wheeler relocated to Aurora in 1800, followed by several other families who settled nearby. Initially known as Salem and later renamed Mount Carmel, the town eventually adopted the name Aurora due to its high altitude.

Aurora Today: What Makes Us Unique

cathedral state parkCathedral State Park

Located on the summit of Cheat Mountain, Aurora is a prime spot for visitors attracted to its high altitude and crisp, clean air, gentle rolling mountains and deep forests. Designated a National Natural Landmark, Cathedral State Park is West Virginia’s largest old-growth forest and is home to one of the largest stands of virgin hemlock in the state. Hiking through the 133-acre park offers miles of trails, original photography opportunities against endless varieties of flowers and trees.

sheepFarming

Preston County boasts over 1000 small family farms. Farming and timber have been part of the solid foundation of Aurora. Dairy farms, beef cattle, crops, and sheep farms are all located in this area. Local foods are abundant in Aurora and around Preston County. 

The logging companies in the Aurora area and around Preston County responsibly harvest trees for the hardwoods industry and maintain the natural forests in the area.

jacobs ladderJacob’s Ladder

Drawing its name from the area's high altitude, Jacob's Ladder addiction treatment community is nested in the gentle rolling mountains, forest, and pasture of Aurora. The unique setting allows for historical farming and forestry practices to be integral pieces of the healing allowed for here. The Netflix documentary, “The Recovery Boys” was filmed here.

brookside innBrookside Inn

Built near the turn of the nineteenth century as part of a resort complex for those seeking to escape the busy city life of the East Coast, the Brookside Inn maintains the hospitality, spirit and traditions of those times. The cozy retreat is on the National Register of Historic Places.

aurora schoolAurora School

Aurora is proud of its Aurora School, which serves students in prekindergarten through eighth-grade.

 

Population

Back To Top

Population

Population 2000 2010 2025 2030
Aurora 185 201 190 188

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Population by Age

Population 2025
0-4 12
5-9 8
10-14 16
15-19 8
20-24 4
25-29 8
30-34 13
35-39 8
40-44 6
45-49 12
50-54 10
55-59 16
60-64 9
65-69 23
70-74 18
75-79 9
80-84 7
85+ 3
18+ 147
Median Age 50

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Population by Race

Aurora 2025
Total 190.00
White Alone 95.26%
Black Alone 0%
American Indian Alone 0%
Asian Alone 0%
Pacific Islander Alone 0%
Some Other Race 1.05%
Two or More Races 3.68%
Hispanic Origin 0.53%
Diversity Index 10.10

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Growth Rate

Aurora 2025 - 2030
Population -0.21%
Households 0.00%
Families -2.33%
Median Household Income 1%
Per Capita Income 2%

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Back To Top

Housing

Back To Top

Households

Population 2000 2010 2025 2030
Households 85 86 83 83
Housing Units 96 98 92 92
Owner Occupied Units 74 68
Renter Occupied Units 9 15
Vacant Units 9 9

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Home Value

Aurora 2025 2030
Median Home Value $98,000 $218,750
Average Home Value $136,791 $223,566
<$50,000 29 15
$50,000 - $99,999 9 6
$100,000 - $149,999 3 0
$150,000 - $199,999 15 10
$200,000 - $249,999 5 8
$250,000 - $299,999 4 8
$300,000 - $399,999 5 7
$400,000 - $499,999 4 14
$500,000 - $749,999 0 0
$1,000,000 + 0 0

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Housing Year Built

Year Range Houses Built
2010 or Later 10
2000-2009 0
1990-1999 11
1980-1989 18
1970-1979 15
1960-1969 0
1950-1959 0
1940-1949 27
1939 or Before 58

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Back To Top

Income

Back To Top

Income

Aurora 2025 2030
Median Household $43,942 $46,383
Average Household $52,574 $58,173
Per Capita $22,966 $25,683

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Household Income

Aurora 2025
<$15,000 13
$15,000 - $24,999 9
$25,000 - $34,999 5
$35,000 - $49,999 20
$50,000 - $74,999 19
$75,000 - $99,999 8
$100,000 - $149,999 8
$150,000 - $199,999 1
$200,000+ 0

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Back To Top

Employees

Back To Top

Commute

Category Commuters
Workers 16+ 115
In-County Residents 11
Out-of-County Residents 31
Drive Alone 84
Carpooled 31
Public Transport 0
Work at Home 0
Motorcycle 0
Bicycle 0
Walked 0
Other 0
Less than 5 minutes 0
5-9 minutes 0
10-14 minutes 0
15-19 minutes 0
20-24 minutes 17
25-29 minutes 29
30-34 minutes 31
35-39 minutes 0
40-44 minutes 0
45-59 minutes 27
60-89 minutes 11
90+ minutes 0
Average Travel Time 0

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Employees by NAICS

Category Number
Total Employees 52
Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt 0
Mining 0
Utilities 0
Construction 5
Manufacturing 0
Wholesale Trade 0
   
Retail Trade 16
   
Transportation/Warehouse 5
Information 0
   
Finance & Insurance 4
   
Real Estate/Rent/Leasing 1
Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv 0
Legal Services 0
Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises 0
Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt 5
Educational Services 5
HealthCare/Social Assist 3
Arts/Entertainment/Rec 0
   
Accommodation/Food Srvcs 0
   
Other Srv excl Pub Admin 8
Auto Repair/Maintenance 2
Public Administration Emp 0

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Educational Attainment (25+)

Aurora 2025
<9th Grade 0
Some High School 13
GED 11
Graduated High School 64
Some College/No Degree 29
Associates Degree 1
Bachelor's Degree 16
Graduate Degree 8

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Back To Top

Businesses

Back To Top

Businesses by NAICS

Category Number
Total Businesses 14
Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt Bus 0
Mining Bus 0
Utilities Bus 0
Construction Bus 1
Manufacturing Bus 0
Wholesale Trade Bus 0
   
Retail Trade Bus 3
   
Transportation/Warehouse Bus 1
Information Bus 0
   
Finance & Insurance Bus 1
   
Real Estate/Rent/Leasing Bus 1
Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv Bus 0
Legal Services Bus 0
Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises Bus 0
Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt Bus 1
Educational Services Bus 1
HealthCare/Social Assist Bus 1
Arts/Entertainment/Rec Bus 0
   
Accommodation/Food Srvcs Bus 0
   
Other Srv excl Pub Admin Bus 4
Auto Repair/Maintenance Bus 1
Public Administration Bus 0

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Back To Top