Aurora Taylor County Wisconsin

Aurora is a town in Taylor County, Wisconsin, with a population of 386 as of the 2000 census. It covers 34.2 square miles, entirely land. The area was first surveyed in 1847 and 1854, noting swamps, timber dominated by hemlock and birch, and the Yellow River flowing through it. By the late 1800s, a winter road facilitated logging operations, focusing on white pine. Settlers began arriving by 1888, with lumber companies holding much of the land.

By 1900, Scandinavian settlers were present near the river, though most land remained with companies like Chippewa Lumber and Boom. Railroads developed in the early 1900s, aiding growth. The 1911 map shows extended roads and a schoolhouse, indicating expanding settlement and farming encroaching on logging.

Demographically, as of 2000, Aurora had 134 households and 108 families. The population was predominantly White, with small Native American, Asian, and mixed-race groups. Households were mostly married couples, with 37.3% having children under 18. The median household income was $30,417, with 22.6% of the population below the poverty line, notably higher for those under 18.