Auburn

by The Linguist



Auburn, WA

Population

As of 2019, the population of Auburn, WA is estimated to be 79,295 people, making it the 15th largest city in Washington state. Auburn is located in King County and is part of the Seattle metropolitan area. The city has grown rapidly in recent decades, with its population nearly doubling since 1990.

Some key facts about Auburn’s population:

  • The median age is 35.6 years old.
  • 22.5% of the population is under 18 years old.
  • 13.1% of the population is over 65 years old.
  • 50.5% of the population is female.
  • 49.5% of the population is male.
  • The racial makeup of Auburn is predominantly White (64.5%), with sizable Hispanic/Latino (17.5%), Asian (9.8%), and Black/African American (9.2%) populations as well.

Auburn has grown more diverse along with its population growth in recent years. The Hispanic/Latino population especially has increased significantly, more than doubling from 2000 to 2010. The foreign-born population has also grown to over 20% of Auburn’s total population as of 2018.

For more information on Auburn’s demographics and population, check out its Wikipedia page.

Local Government

The City of Auburn is governed by a Mayor-Council form of government, with an elected, non-partisan mayor and a seven-member city council. The mayor serves a four-year term, while council members serve staggered four-year terms with elections held every two years. The city council is responsible for passing ordinances, approving the city budget, and establishing city policies.

Some key facts about Auburn’s local government:

  • The current mayor of Auburn is Nancy Backus, who was first elected in 2009.
  • The city operates with a biennial budget, with the 2020-2021 budget totalling $295 million.
  • Auburn provides a full range of city services including police, fire, parks and recreation, public works, community development, and more.
  • In addition to the mayor and city council, Auburn has a number of boards and commissions made up of citizen volunteers.

For more details on Auburn’s local government structure, operations, and services, visit the City of Auburn website.

Economy and Major Employers

Auburn has a diverse economic base, with industries including aerospace, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, education, and more. Many residents commute into nearby Seattle for work as well. Some major employers in Auburn include:

  • Boeing – Boeing is Auburn’s top employer, with around 1,300 workers at its Auburn plant which produces components for commercial airplanes. Boeing has operated in Auburn since the 1960s.
  • Green River Community College – The community college employs around 1,100 faculty and staff and serves over 10,000 students.
  • MultiCare Health System – MultiCare operates Auburn Medical Center and employs over 600 people.
  • Les Schwab Tire Centers – The company’s headquarters are located in Auburn and employ around 600 workers.

In addition to these major players, Auburn has a growing base of small and medium sized technology companies. Many businesses are attracted by Auburn’s location along Highway 167 with easy access to Seattle and Tacoma. The city’s median household income is $71,769 as of 2018.

For more details on Auburn’s economy and labor force, visit the DataUSA page for Auburn.

Attractions and Tourism

Although not as big of a tourist destination as Seattle, Auburn does have several attractions and places of interest that bring in visitors to the city. Some of these include:

  • Auburn Avenue Theater – This historic 1920s movie theater located downtown has been restored and hosts concerts, events, and performing arts.
  • Auburn Veterinary Hospital – The oldest veterinary practice in continuous use in Washington state, opened in 1904.
  • Emerald Downs Racetrack and Casino – Horse racing track and casino complex with live racing, slots, restaurants and more.
  • GameWorks – Large family entertainment center at the Outlet Collection mall with arcade games, rides, laser tag, and more.
  • Les Gove Park – Large multi-use park with sports fields, playground, skate park, golf course, and more.
  • Neely Mansion – Historic 1903 mansion that hosts weddings and other events.
  • The Outlet Collection Seattle – Large outlet shopping mall attracting shoppers from around the region.
  • Washington State History Museum – Museum focused on Washington state history located at Green River College.
  • White River Amphitheatre – 20,000+ capacity outdoor concert venue that hosts major touring acts during summers.

The city also has numerous community events throughout the year that attract visitors such as the Auburn Days Festival, car shows, art walks, farmers markets, and more. Auburn’s parks and outdoor recreation opportunities like the Interurban Trail are also attractions.

For more on visiting Auburn, check out the city tourism website or the Auburn Facebook page.

Sports

Auburn is home to several athletic teams and facilities that enjoy strong community support. Some notable sports attractions in the city include:

  • Auburn Mountainview High School – Part of the Auburn School District with successful football, soccer, track, and other sports programs.
  • Auburn Riverside High School – Another Auburn School District high school with strong athletics.
  • Auburn Tennis Center – Public tennis facility with 12 courts both indoor and outdoor.
  • Emerald Downs – Thoroughbred horse racing track that hosts live meets during summers.
  • Les Gove Park – Home to youth and adult sports leagues for baseball, softball, soccer, and more.
  • Sound FC – Semi-pro soccer team in the National Premier Soccer League.
  • Washington Huskies – Auburn is home to many passionate UW Husky fans.

The city also has a recreation department that organizes youth and adult sports leagues across multiple sports. Green River College has a strong athletics program as well that has produced many Division I recruits.

For more on sports and recreation in Auburn, visit the website of the Auburn Parks, Arts, & Recreation Department.