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Auburn

Auburn

Located in Placer County

$629,438 Average Value
$358 Average Price per Sq Ft
15 Homes For Sale

Racing toward Auburn

For many Auburn, California, is a sight for sore eyes, not to mention feet, legs and even horses. Set in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, the city of nearly 14,000, is the finish line to some of the most grueling races in the world. “These races are how Auburn earned its title as ‘The Endurance Capital of the World,’ says Joanne ‘Jo’ Barragan, Broker Associate Realtor with eXp Realty of California, who’s lived in the area for 20 years. Residents here live near the 31,000-acre Auburn State Recreation Area near the North Fork American River Canyon, and event venues and museums host festivals and showcase the area’s history.

Auburn, though, isn't just about how much pain a person can handle. The city came to life during the state's gold rush days, and it pays homage to that past with museums and massive concrete sculptures that dot the streets, recreating its history.

Auburn is a city in and the county seat of Placer County, California.
Auburn is a city in and the county seat of Placer County, California.
Auburn is a community full of bicycle enthusiasts.
Auburn is a community full of bicycle enthusiasts.
Free community mailboxes can be found around Auburn.
Free community mailboxes can be found around Auburn.
Discover Old Town Auburn: restaurants, shops, and year-round events.
Discover Old Town Auburn: restaurants, shops, and year-round events.
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Homes prices hold steady

The city's population has held steady over the past decade and so to has its home prices, with the average cost rising 1% over the past 12 months. Most homes sit north and south of downtown, and sell for as low as $245,000 to as high as $1.9 million. “There are bungalows, Craftsman-styles, Spanish-styles, farmhouses, horse properties and vineyards,” says Barragan. “You even have homes that have been around for 200 years.”

Embrace the down-to-earth feel of Auburn residences: A fusion of comfort and simplicity.
Embrace the down-to-earth feel of Auburn residences: A fusion of comfort and simplicity.
Auburn invites you to discover homes that embody a relaxed living and scenic beauty.
Auburn invites you to discover homes that embody a relaxed living and scenic beauty.
Modern construction craftsman homes in Auburn can exude style and class.
Modern construction craftsman homes in Auburn can exude style and class.
Beautiful craftsman architecture can be found throughout Auburn.
Beautiful craftsman architecture can be found throughout Auburn.
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Endurance races, 17 parks and entertainment venues

Auburn is home to the Tevis Cup 100-Mile Endurance Equestrian Ride. Held every year since 1955 it is the oldest modern-day endurance ride. Contestants start at Lake Tahoe and have 24 hours to make it to Auburn. Whoever completes the race in the shortest time with a horse that is deemed “fit to continue” wins a silver Completion Award Buckle. There's also the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. This race begins in Olympic Valley, California and ends in Auburn, drawing contestants from all over the world. The winning time in 2024 was just over 14 hours. The city also holds endurance biking races as well.

Those looking for a more relaxing time outdoors can enjoy the city's 17 public parks, many featuring playgrounds, picnic pavilions and pickleball and tennis courts. Soccer and softball fields are available and a few have walking paths that skirt ponds. More challenging recreational opportunities lie to the south. “What’s wonderful about south Auburn, where I live, is that you’re so close to all the hiking trails that go down to the American River,” says Barragan.

During Christmas, the city hides 50 keys in one of its parks, one of which unlocks Santa’s toy chest, storing gift cards from area businesses. Prizes are awarded to any kid who finds a key, even if it doesn’t open the chest.

Year-round entertainment is found at the Auburn State Theatre, which has provided live performances, film screenings and educational experiences for more than 90 years.

For history buffs, docent-led and self-guided walking tours of Old Town and Downtown are available, and seven museums exhibit everything from Auburn’s early inhabitants to businesses, prominent citizens and athletic hall-of-famers. Located near Downtown, the Gold Country Fairground hosts annual festivals, such as the Auburn Big Time-Pow Wow, featuring a day-long celebration of Native American culture through inter-tribal dancing, native arts and cultural demonstrations.

Experience adrenaline at Auburn Bike Park: A dirt biking haven with scenic jumps.
Experience adrenaline at Auburn Bike Park: A dirt biking haven with scenic jumps.
"Stella, Stella, Stella" is a mural at the Central Square Art Park in Auburn.
Basketball players own the court at Recreation Park in Auburn.
Basketball players own the court at Recreation Park in Auburn.
Tons of locals gather at Recreation Park for an afternoon of fun in Auburn.
Tons of locals gather at Recreation Park for an afternoon of fun in Auburn.
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Achieving academic excellence within the Auburn Union Elementary School District

The Auburn Union Elementary School District, which earns a B-minus from Niche, serves roughly 1,500 students from transitional kindergarten to Grade 8. The Placer Union High School District earns an A from Niche, and serves just over 4,000 students. Auburn also offers B-plus-rated Maidu Virtual Charter Academy for high schoolers, as well as the Placer School for Adults, which offers a career lab to apply for jobs, academic and career counseling and programs like inmate education and personal enrichment.

Auburn Elementary School is a public school in Auburn, CA.
Auburn Elementary School is a public school in Auburn, CA.
EV Cain Middle School is a public school.
EV Cain Middle School is a public school.
Colfax High School in Auburn, CA is surrounded by mature pine trees.
Colfax High School in Auburn, CA is surrounded by mature pine trees.
Placer High School serves students in the Auburn community.
Placer High School serves students in the Auburn community.
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Old Town shops and a farmers market

Old Town, one of Auburn’s four business districts, is brimming with artisanal shops, art galleries and restaurants. It’s also an epicenter for community events and stands as a monument to the area’s Gold Rush history, marking where gold was first discovered in Placer County.

Downtown Auburn has a vibrant dining scene. Italian, Mexican and American restaurants share lots with coffee shops, delis and a brewpub. Locally owned boutiques and clothing stores sit near Downtown, with shopping malls like the Auburn Town Center further north, offering chain businesses and Chinese restaurants. Rock Creek Plaza is the spot for department stores and fast-food joints and there are wineries and breweries nearby.

For good eats and good times in Auburn, dine at Izy's Corner Pub.
For good eats and good times in Auburn, dine at Izy's Corner Pub.
Old Town Pizza, established in 1999, holds a rich history in Auburn.
Old Town Pizza, established in 1999, holds a rich history in Auburn.
Every Saturday morning, Old Town Auburn is the perfect place to find a local farmers market.
Every Saturday morning, Old Town Auburn is the perfect place to find a local farmers market.
Residents can shop for beautiful paintings and photograph at Auburn Old Town Gallery.
Residents can shop for beautiful paintings and photograph at Auburn Old Town Gallery.
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Access to nearby highways, Amtrak and airports

Auburn is anchored by Interstate 80, the main East-West highway, and historic U.S. Route 49 (Grass Valley Highway), is the main North-South highway. Sacramento is about 33 miles southwest and Lake Tahoe 85 miles northeast. Public transportation includes Auburn Transit, which offers fixed bus routes and Auburn OnDemand, a ride-share option that can be booked through the GO South Placer Share app. Amtrak, located on Nevada Street to the west, connects with California Capitol Corridor trains, which travel to San Francisco and other Northern California cities.

Auburn Municipal Airport to the north offers air ambulance services, flight instruction, private charters and rentals and scenic tours. Set about 39 miles away, Sacramento International Airport offers nonstop and direct flights to major U.S. cities and Mexico. Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital is 5 miles northwest of Downtown Auburn.

Low overall crime due to mitigation efforts

According to FBI crime statistics, overall crime rates have dropped from 2022 to 2023. The Auburn Police Department's 2023 Annual Report states that their arrests have risen 26.6%, due to the increased productivity of officers and community-oriented programs like neighborhood watch groups, Flock cameras that read license plates, alerting officers to stolen vehicles and a demo of Obvio, an AI powered traffic trailer that detects traffic violations.

The Auburn Police Department’s Community Action Team has partnered with the Placer County Probation and the Placer County Health and Human Services to address the city’s concerns about homelessness and transients. They use information from the community and city staff to address camp locations, top offenders and trespassing.

Warm summers, wet winters and wildfire prevention

Auburn sits in a thermal belt with average summer temperatures hovering near 72 degrees, though it did break in the 100s in July and again in October 2024. Winters are cool and wet with several days of dense fog, and annual precipitation tops about 37 inches.

Auburn is a high-risk area for wildfire, with the last one occurring during July of 2024. Mitigation efforts are focusing on prevention, with the area’s sole fire department checking that homeowners are compliant with defensible space codes. The city has plans to hire seasonal inspectors to help with the workload.

Tess Evans
Written By
Tess Evans
Sheldon Steere
Photography Contributed By
Sheldon Steere
Jeffrey Knight
Video By
Jeffrey Knight

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Neeta Patel, an experienced agent in this area.

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Auburn Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$875,000
Median Sale Price
$672,560
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,035,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$1,248,582
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$219,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
95
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-24%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$358

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
10,370
Number of Homes for Sale
15
Median Year Built
1980
Months of Supply
1.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,942
On par with the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,792
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
990
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
637
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
12,632

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Aug 3
    12 - 3pm

    13399 Bell Brook Dr, Auburn, CA 95602

    $1,150,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 4.5 Baths
    • 3,286 Sq Ft
    • 13399 Bell Brook Dr

    Multi-generational homestead options, with each floor designed for single floor living w/ custom touches like imperfect smooth walls, dual sided fireplace, skylight & solar tubes. Convenient single-level parking access w/ driveways to each home level & shop. The private entry 2 bed/1 bath ADU includes a full kitchen, full-size laundry & exterior separate entrance, for rental passive income. The

    Agent Photo
    Heather McCarthy
    Better Homes and Gardens RE
    (530) 456-7517
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  • Saturday, Aug 2
    11am - 3pm

    6409 Caddie Ct, Auburn, CA 95602

    $887,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,972 Sq Ft
    • 6409 Caddie Ct

    Dreaming of a Single-Story Home with a Spectacular View? Welcome to your private retreat in the Sierra foothills where panoramic valley views, vibrant sunsets, and sparkling city lights set the stage for everyday luxury! Perched at 1400 feet, above the valley fog and below the snow line, this immaculate custom-built home is situated in a National Firewise USA community! Whether you're hosting

    Agent Photo
    Sharyl Messick
    Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Heritage, REALTORS
    (530) 460-4833
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  • Sunday, Aug 3
    1 - 3pm

    12318 Pepperwood Cir Unit 228, Auburn, CA 95603

    $149,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,440 Sq Ft
    • 12318 Pepperwood Cir
    • Unit 228
    • New 1 day ago

    Fantastic views of sunsets and the park from this mobile home. Parklike setting at the highest part of Pepperwood with a wooded area next door.Conveniently located next to private mobile park hiking trail behind guest parking.If you are looking for quiet and serenity, you've found your home!!!!!

    Linda Wismar HomeTown Realtors

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Auburn Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
14,016
Median Age
48
Population under 18
19%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.6%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$77,742
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$103,049

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
90.9%
College Graduates
36.4%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.6%
% Population in Labor Force
53.8%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
35''
Average Winter Low Temperature
37°F
Average Summer High Temperature
93°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

35 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®®

51 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Auburn
Neeta Patel
Vista Sotheby's International Realty
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