City · Alabama

Auburn, Alabama

Auburn, city, in Lee County, Alabama. Auburn had 85,113 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 11.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 76,143 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 80,594 (±61). GEOID 0103076.

Residents, July 2025 estimate

85,113

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 76,143 · ACS 2020-2024: 80,594 ±61

Median household income

$63,668

±$4,618 (90% margin)
Alabama: $63,999

Median home value

$364,800

±$13,043 (90% margin)
Alabama: $209,900

Median gross rent

$1,098

±$35 (90% margin)
Alabama: $1,007

Where is Auburn and what county is it in?

Auburn is a city in Lee County, Alabama. It covers 62.9 square miles of land, 1,210 residents per square mile in 2020.

Auburn is in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).

Auburn (marked with a dot) in Lee County, Alabama. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files

How many people live in Auburn, and is it growing?

The Census Bureau estimates that 85,113 people lived in Auburn on July 1, 2025, up 11.1% since 2020, faster than Alabama (+3.3%). The 2020 Census counted 76,143 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 80,594 (±61).

  • July 2020→2021 +2,121 (79,240)
  • 2021→2022 +1,286 (80,526)
  • 2022→2023 +1,867 (82,393)
  • 2023→2024 +1,420 (83,813)
  • 2024→2025 +1,300 (85,113)
ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (counts) with the change from 2015-2019
Measure AuburnLee CountyAlabama Change since 2015-2019
Total population 80,594 ±61 181,134 5,086,768 +16,540
Households 30,174 ±754 69,436 1,997,247 +6,674
Average household size 2.45 ±0.06 2.50 2.48 no clear change
Housing units 36,033 ±684 79,619 2,337,265 +8,009

Auburn's population since 2000

From 42,987 in 2000 to 85,113 in 2025: up 98.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Auburn as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.

  • 2000 Census 42,987
  • 2005 (estimate) 47,571
  • 2010 Census 53,380
  • 2015 (estimate) 61,809
  • 2020 Census 76,143
  • 2025 (estimate) 85,113

Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov

Who lives in Auburn?

The median resident of Auburn is 25.9 years old; 19.3% are under 18 and 9.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 65.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 17.0%. 10.7% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin, education and moves, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure AuburnLee CountyAlabama Change since 2015-2019
Median age 25.9 ±0.7 34.0 39.3 +1.1
Under 18 years 19.3% ±0.8 pts 20.9% 22.2% –
65 years and over 9.7% ±0.7 pts 13.3% 17.8% –
Male 48.5% ±1.1 pts 49.4% 48.6% –
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.4% ±0.8 pts 5.4% 5.6% +2.1 pts
White alone, not Hispanic 65.7% ±1.6 pts 65.3% 63.4% −2.9 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic 17.0% ±1.5 pts 21.6% 25.6% no clear change
Asian alone, not Hispanic 8.5% ±0.4 pts 4.3% 1.4% no clear change
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic 0.1% ±0.1 pts 0.0% 0.3% –
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic 0.0% ±0.1 pts 0.0% 0.0% –
Two or more races, not Hispanic 2.7% ±0.6 pts 2.7% 3.3% –
Some other race alone, not Hispanic 0.6% ±0.4 pts 0.6% 0.4% –
Born outside the United States 10.7% ±0.8 pts 7.0% 4.0% no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) 12.8% ±1.2 pts 8.6% 6.0% –
Civilian veterans (age 18+) 3.7% ±0.6 pts 7.2% 7.7% –
With a disability 8.4% ±1.1 pts 13.1% 16.5% –
No health insurance coverage 6.8% ±1.2 pts 8.6% 9.2% no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+) 96.3% ±1.0 pts 92.1% 88.6% –
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) 64.1% ±2.2 pts 42.4% 28.4% +6.1 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) 32.3% ±2.1 pts 19.3% 11.1% –
Lived in the same house a year earlier 80.7% ±1.5 pts 85.7% 88.3% –
Moved from another state in the past year 5.0% ±0.7 pts 3.9% 2.4% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov

What do households in Auburn earn?

Half of Auburn's 30,174 households earn less than $63,668 a year (±$4,618), against $65,824 in Lee County and $63,999 in Alabama. In 2015-2019 it was $58,234 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 25.4% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; 2015-2019 dollars adjusted with the R-CPI-U-RS
Measure AuburnLee CountyAlabama Change since 2015-2019
Median household income $63,668 ±$4,618 $65,824 $63,999 no clear change
Mean household income $95,860 ±$5,044 $90,195 $88,898 –
Per capita income $37,018 ±$1,726 $35,940 $36,087 no clear change
People below the poverty line 25.4% ±2.0 pts 18.9% 15.6% no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line 14.0% ±4.8 pts 16.8% 21.3% no clear change
Households receiving SNAP 7.1% ±1.5 pts 10.0% 13.7% –
Households with a computer 98.0% ±0.8 pts 95.8% 93.7% –
Households with a broadband subscription 91.6% ±1.6 pts 88.9% 87.5% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What does housing cost in Auburn?

Owners occupy 53.1% of Auburn's occupied homes and renters 46.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $364,800 by its owner (±$13,043). The median renter pays $1,098 a month including utilities, and 54.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Home values are owners' own estimates.
Measure AuburnLee CountyAlabama Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied) $364,800 ±$13,043 $262,200 $209,900 +$37,189
Median gross rent $1,098 ±$35 $1,058 $1,007 no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent 54.6% ±4.0 pts 50.5% 39.9% no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage $1,881 ±$88 $1,529 $1,433 –
Owner-occupied homes 53.1% ±2.3 pts 66.3% 70.2% +7.5 pts
Renter-occupied homes 46.9% ±2.3 pts 33.7% 29.8% –
Housing units 36,033 ±684 79,619 2,337,265 +8,009
Homeowner vacancy rate 2.8% ±1.2 pts 2.1% 1.1% –
Rental vacancy rate 9.2% ±2.2 pts 8.1% 7.2% –
Single-family detached homes 48.4% ±2.0 pts 58.1% 69.1% –
Mobile homes 3.7% ±0.6 pts 14.3% 12.3% –
Built 2020 or later 5.2% ±0.7 pts 4.7% 2.3% –
Built 2010 to 2019 22.0% ±2.1 pts 19.3% 10.9% –
Built 1939 or earlier 1.3% ±0.5 pts 2.2% 4.9% –
Households with no vehicle 4.1% ±0.9 pts 4.8% 5.4% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov

How many new homes is Auburn building?

Builders took permits for 689 new housing units in Auburn in 2025 (669 in single-family houses), 8.1 per 1,000 residents against 3.7 across Alabama.

  • 2019 1,477 units
  • 2020 1,521 units
  • 2021 820 units
  • 2022 1,358 units
  • 2023 549 units
  • 2024 1,024 units
  • 2025 689 units

Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Auburn work and get to work?

75.7% of Auburn's workers drive alone and 10.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.2%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (workers 16 and over)
Measure AuburnLee CountyAlabama Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+) 59.6% ±1.7 pts 60.3% 58.3% –
Unemployment rate 3.2% ±0.8 pts 3.5% 4.7% no clear change
Drove alone to work 75.7% ±1.9 pts 79.1% 80.6% –
Carpooled 7.1% ±1.6 pts 7.2% 8.0% –
Public transportation 1.0% ±0.4 pts 0.7% 0.3% –
Walked 4.3% ±0.9 pts 2.6% 1.1% –
Worked from home 10.9% ±1.5 pts 9.5% 8.8% +6.9 pts
Mean travel time to work 19.9 min ±1.2 22.3 min 25.5 min no clear change

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What census tracts are in Auburn?

18 census tracts lie mostly in Auburn, and 9 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $15,241 (Tract 408.02) to $128,940 (Tract 405.01).

Census tracts in Auburn, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (the 12 with the most residents inside it; every tract on the full list)
TractResidents, 2020-2024Median household incomeMedian home valueShare of tract in Auburn
Tract 406.02Lee County9,371 $91,116 $375,80089%
Tract 407Lee County6,531 $15,667 $196,900100%
Tract 405.01Lee County7,534 $128,940 $546,60085%
Tract 409.04Lee County5,079 $59,986 $253,200100%
Tract 410.01Lee County8,587 $125,677 $403,20049%
Tract 402.01Lee County3,924 $36,793 $216,300100%
Tract 405.02Lee County5,579 $66,004 $380,40058%
Tract 403Lee County3,252 $37,994 $317,900100%
Tract 409.01Lee County4,272 $75,950 $327,60073%
Tract 402.02Lee County3,207 $57,059 $329,30097%
Tract 411.02Lee County3,631 $49,830 $253,60086%
Tract 404.02Lee County2,744 $108,558 $330,400100%

Every census tract in Auburn, with its figures

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Auburn) · Census block assignment files

How does Auburn compare with other places in Alabama?

By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Auburn is the 432nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 7th-most populous of 463 in Alabama.

Auburn ranks 131st of 305 places in Alabama with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.

Auburn's rank in Alabama (1 = highest): by population among the state's incorporated places with a 2025 estimate; by the other measures among places of 1,000+ residents with a reliable estimate
MeasureRankOf
Population, July 2025 estimate7th463
Growth 2020-2025 (PEP)39th257
Residents per square mile34th311
Median household income131st305
Per capita income79th311
Median home value20th304
Median gross rent67th274
Poverty rate64th258
Bachelor's degree or higher9th295
Median age302nd309
Owner-occupied share281st310
Work from home51st138
Travel time to work281st310

Auburn's figures with every place in Alabama (CSV)

Every place in Alabama, sortable · Compare Auburn with other places

Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed

How reliable are the figures for Auburn?

3 of the 57 figures for Auburn on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.

The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation

How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections

Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Auburn are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Auburn.