City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Auburn, WA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Auburn - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

85,455
Residents
$95,367
Median income
$510,400
Median home
$1,971
Median rent (state)

Auburn - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Auburn lands in the 75th percentile for household income and the 5th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

75th
percentile, household income
85th
percentile, home value
82nd
percentile, median rent
5th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Auburn, WA

85,455 people live in Auburn, Washington - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Auburn brings in $95,367 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 5.7%. Typical homes in Auburn are valued around $510,400, and the median resident age is 35.7 years. Educational attainment runs 27.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 66.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 0 residential units were authorized in 2024 (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier. Auburn's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 4511.2 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Washington carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Washington scores 107.0 (Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,971 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Washington's average monthly utility costs around $188 (state average). Workers in Auburn report an average commute of 27.5 minutes, with 71.2% driving alone and 12.8% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 98.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

85,455 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$95,367 /yr

Poverty 5.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Auburn compare to other US cities?

Here's how Auburn stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 75% higher than other cities
Home value 85% pricier than other cities
Median rent 82% pricier than other cities
Safety 5% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Washington and the picture shifts: Auburn ranks #143 of 156 Washington cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Auburn's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Washington, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

75thIncome percentile
5thSafety percentile

75th percentile nationally for median household income · 5th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Auburn's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Auburn's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 32 Avg. percentile National median
Auburn's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Auburn's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$510,400 15th percentile more affordable than 15% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Auburn $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Auburn, WA Auburn, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Auburn, WA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Auburn, WA median $95,367/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Auburn, WA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Auburn, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
85,455
Median Income
$95,367
Median Home Value
$510,400
Median Age
35.7
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Labor force participation
66.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4511.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
543.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3968.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
34
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
85,000 residents86,000 residents87,000 residents88,000 residents89,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 88,287 residents 86,301 residents ▼ -2.2%
Auburn's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 23
2020 83
2021 79
2022 39
2023 8
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
27.5 minutes
Drive Alone
71.2%
Carpool
9.9%
Public Transit
3.3%
Walk
1.8%
Work from Home
12.8%
Other
1.0%

Based on 43,179 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Washington - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$48
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$188
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Washington state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Washington state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Auburn sits in

Cost of Living Index
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,971/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
98.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

Kennewick
84,389 people
Kirkland
91,614 people
Bellingham
92,367 people
Pasco
78,446 people
Redmond
75,721 people
Yakima
96,810 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Auburn's 85,455 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Franklin, TN
85,575 people
Sioux City, IA
85,651 people
Melbourne, FL
85,718 people
San Ramon, CA
85,734 people
Medford, OR
85,794 people
Lake Forest, CA
85,846 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Auburn's $95,367 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bainbridge, PA
$95,368 median income
Sullivan, OH
$95,369 median income
New Deal, TX
$95,375 median income
Orwin, PA
$95,357 median income
Shiner, TX
$95,380 median income
Mount Repose, OH
$95,353 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Auburn, WA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Auburn, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 53.3% 7.5% 11.7% 9.0% 13.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 18.8% White 53.3% Black or African American 7.5% Asian 11.7% American Indian 2.1% Native Hawaiian 3.3% Some other race 9.0% Two or more races 13.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Auburn compares to nearby Washington cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Auburn (this city) 85,455 $95,367
Kennewick 84,389 $72,867
Kirkland 91,614 $143,533
Bellingham 92,367 $65,821
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Auburn, WA?

What is the population of Auburn, WA? +

Auburn, WA counts 85,455 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Auburn, WA? +

In Auburn, the typical household earns $95,367 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Auburn? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Auburn; the closest available measure is the Washington state average, a cost of living index of 107.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Washington vary by metro area.

Is Auburn, WA safe? +

Auburn has a total crime rate of 4511.2 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Auburn, WA? +

Auburn's median home value sits at $510,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.