Quality of Life in Auburn

Auburn offers many of the advantages of a “big” city while providing the special touches of small town living. It truly a town with a recent history of economic growth and high quality of life that is being recognized by others.  For example, Demographics Daily recognized Auburn as a small “dream town” and Expansion Management magazine ranked the Auburn metro area as one of “America’s 50 Hottest Cities for Business Expansions and Relocations.”  It is a safe, cost-effective place to live and raise a family.  

Auburn is home to Auburn University, the state’s largest university which is the largest university in Alabama.  AU is a comprehensive land-grant, doctoral-granting institution that is classified as a research institution with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation.

Location         

Auburn is located in east central Alabama: 115 miles southwest of Atlanta, Georgia; 60 miles northeast of Montgomery, Alabama; 40 miles northwest of Columbus, Georgia; and 120 miles southeast of Birmingham, Alabama.  Auburn has a mild climate, with an average rainfall of 56.1 inches and annual temperature of 63 F.

Transportation

Auburn is connected to major metropolitan areas by Interstate 85 and US Highway 280 and has rail service by CSX Transportation.  The Auburn-Opelika Airport with a 5,265 feet lighted runway accommodates small to medium size jets.  Auburn is within 100 miles of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and within 60 miles of two regional airports with commercial service (Columbus and Montgomery).   

Population

According to the 2000 census, the population of Auburn was about 43,000 persons.  Fifty-six (56%) of the population above the age of 25 have graduate or professional degrees.   

Education

Primary and Secondary: The City of Auburn and Lee County offer numerous accredited schools with a variety of programs for special and/or gifted children.    

  • The Auburn public school system was rated among the top 100 in the nation by Offspring Parenting magazine.

  • Auburn High School was rated in the top 2% of all high schools in the nation by Newsweek magazine. 

  • Lee-Scott Academy is an excellent private alternative. It received a blue ribbon rating for high academic standard and extracurricular activities by the AISA. 100% of the graduates enroll in a college.

 Vocational-technical school/community college: Southern Union State Community College offers a wide range of technical training programs and academic degrees.

Healthcare

The 352-bed East Alabama Medical Center was named one of the top 100 cardiac care hospitals in the United States. 

Recreation

Recreation facilities include 16 parks, six walking trails, 30 miles of bike paths, 162 holes of golf on public and private courses within a 10 mile radius of Auburn, 44 tennis courts, and two racquetball courts, softball complex, two soccer complexes, two baseball complexes, swimming pools, recreation centers, and many others for adults and children.  Chewacla State Park, adjacent to Auburn, offers 690 acres of park land with picnicking, boating, swimming and hiking. Nearby Tuskegee National Forest offers biking trails, picnicking and other attractions. Lake Martin which is a 40,000 acre lake for boating and fishing is within 30 minutes of Auburn.   

Cultural Activities

The City of Auburn supports the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center that hosts plays, ballets, and an art studio.  Auburn University is home to the Telfair Peet Theater that presents plays and musicals, and the 40,000 square foot Jule Collins Smith Museum for art.  In addition, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival with internationally acclaimed professional performances is in nearby Montgomery, AL 

Industrial and Commercial Development

The City’s Economic Development Department, in partnership with the Industrial Development Board, has achieved considerable success in attracting small to medium-sized, technology-based companies and has created over 4,000 jobs.  These companies are located in three industrial-technology parks (fourth under development) that house more than 40 domestic and international companies.  Services include a revolving loan fund program, partnerships with Auburn University, a small-business incubator, training assistance programs, and property tax abatements.  Special incentives include site development grants through the Alabama Development office, Alabama Industrial Development Training, the Auburn Center for Developing Industries, and financing assistance through Industrial Development Bonds.   

For more information see www.auburnalabama.org or the Auburn Community Profile.