The number of residents in Auburn more than quadrupled in the 1980s, and growth never stopped. The population now sits just under 10,000, an increase of 29% since 2020. Locals say the growth spurt was spurred by the city’s location between Atlanta and Athens. (The small Georgia city is not to be confused with the city of the same name in Alabama, where football-crazy Auburn University resides.) “I didn’t even know what Auburn was eight to nine years ago. A lot of people are just moving to a quiet, nice suburban area,” says broker Eladia Aracena, owner of Cena Realty, who has 15 years of real estate experience in the area. More growth is on the way as the nonprofit Rowen Foundation constructs a 2,000-acre campus just south of the city. The mixed-use site will house environmental, agricultural and medical research facilities and is expected to create over 100,000 jobs over the next several decades. Meanwhile, the city’s current top employment sectors are service, retail and manufacturing jobs, but most residents commute to Atlanta for work.
Nestled amidst rolling hills, the small town of Auburn is rapidly transforming into a bustling and vibrant hub for innovative manufacturing and diverse service providers, attracting entrepreneurs and skilled workers alike.
Continued growth is on the horizon as the nonprofit Rowen Foundation embarks on an ambitious project to construct a sprawling 2,000-acre campus, nestled just south of the vibrant city.
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Homes sell for below Atlanta’s median
The median home price in Auburn is $338,000, lower than the median price in Atlanta. Recent construction includes Harmony, built around the city’s new Municipal Center. The downtown community has trails, a garden and an apiary. “We have new construction going on all over the city, from one end to the other,” says Staci Waters, Auburn’s main street coordinator.
The newly constructed Harmony community is elegantly designed and thoughtfully developed around the city’s state-of-the-art Municipal Center in Auburn, offering residents a vibrant and engaging living environment enriched by modern amenities and green spaces.
The vibrant city of Auburn has officially relocated its municipal building to a newly constructed facility, designed for enhanced accessibility and functionality, reflecting the community’s growth and commitment to better serving its residents.
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Getting to Atlanta and Athens
Interstate 85, west of Auburn, travels 42 miles into Atlanta. Highway 29 goes 32 miles east to Athens. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is 52 miles away. The nearest hospital is Northeast Georgia Medical Center Barrow, which is 10 miles away in Winder.
Small businesses in Whistlestop Shop’s tiny cottages
Small businesses operate out of the Whistlestop Shops, a collection of small wooden cottages downtown. Businesses include a seamstress, a spice store and a sports card shop, each looking out onto the decorative red caboose near the railroad tracks, where a farmers market is held every Tuesday from October to July. A few small shopping centers, grocery stores and restaurants are along Highway 29. Waters says the city is working with investors to revitalize the downtown and attract local restaurants.
Vibrant murals, crafted by talented local artists, brilliantly showcase the stunning beauty and rich artistic spirit that can be found throughout the streets of Auburn.
Each week, shoppers from near and far flock to the charming, quaint retail cottages of the Whistlestop Shop, drawn in by their unique offerings and warm atmosphere.
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Most students attend Barrow County schools
Most students attend the Barrow County School System, which gets a B-plus on Niche. A few students on Auburn’s western edge attend Gwinnett County Public Schools, which gets an A. Higher education options within 50 miles include the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Emory University and more.
Winder-Barrow High School is renowned for its exceptional academic programs and dedicated faculty, consistently earning its reputation as one of the premier educational institutions in the county.
Gwinnett County Public Schools is one of the largest and most dynamic school districts in the entire state of Georgia, serving a diverse community of students and families with a wide range of educational programs and opportunities.
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Fairy tales come alive at Auburn Ever After
Every May, children mingle with characters such as Spider-Man and Cinderella during downtown's Auburn Ever After. “It’s a fairy tale day for kids,” Waters says. “It’s just a magical day for them.” In October, live music fills the air for AuburnFest, with hayrides and a barbecue competition near the Whistlestop Shops.
Picking pecans at Whistlestop Park
Whistlestop Park is a small greenspace downtown where fresh pecans can be picked off trees hanging over picnic tables. The City of Auburn Ballfields has sports fields and walking trails. James Shackelford Memorial Park’s nature trail winds through an area with picnic shelters.
Whistlestop Park is surrounded by majestic pecan trees, their sprawling branches providing a cool and inviting shade during the sweltering summer days, creating an enchanting atmosphere as visitors stroll through the park and indulge in some delightful shopping.
James Shackelford Park is a beautiful, vibrant oasis nestled in Auburn, featuring a network of winding walking trails that meander through lush greenery and colorful flower beds.
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Hot summers and mild winters in Auburn
Auburn gets warm falls and springs, hot summers and mild winters. According to Georgia Bureau of Investigations statistics, violent and property crimes rose slightly in 2023. The county's crime rate is more than doubled by those of Fulton County in Atlanta and Clarke County in Athens, but higher than that of the neighboring Jackson County.
Written By
Josh Gully
Photography Contributed By
Bradley Parrish
Video By
Houston Knight
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Cyrena Harrington,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Auburn, GA sell after 50 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Auburn, GA over the last 12 months is $380,000, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this charming 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home with a 2-car garage, with a hard to beat location. Step into the inviting foyer, where you'll find a formal living room and dining room to the right. You will be sure to love the new LVP flooring and fresh paint. Large kitchen with plenty of storage, and a sunny breakfast nook that's perfect for casual meals. Just beyond, the sunken family room
This stunning home offers plenty of space and features designed for comfort and entertainment. The kitchen is a highlight, boasting a tile backsplash, a center island, and a large dining area with beautiful backyard views. Step outside to enjoy the oversized back deck and the large, fenced-in backyard-perfect for hosting gatherings or relaxing in privacy. Upstairs, you'll find brand-new carpeting
Great opportunity in Auburn! This 3-bedroom, 2-bath ranch sits on a private lot and offers tons of potential for a first-time buyer or investor. With an open floor plan, spacious yard, and solid layout, it’s the perfect canvas to add your personal touch and a little TLC. Conveniently located near schools, parks, and Hwy 316—bring your vision and make this home your own.
Welcome to this charming 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home with a 2-car garage, with a hard to beat location. Step into the inviting foyer, where you'll find a formal living room and dining room to the right. You will be sure to love the new LVP flooring and fresh paint. Large kitchen with plenty of storage, and a sunny breakfast nook that's perfect for casual meals. Just beyond, the sunken family room
Welcome to this stunning custom-built luxury estate, perfectly set on 3.24 private acres with no HOA. This remarkable residence offers a seamless blend of elegance, comfort, and functionality, designed to impress and built for both entertaining and everyday living. An expansive double iron door and open floor plan greets you upon entry, highlighted by a grand two-story foyer and rich wide-plank
The Regan Maki Team
Ansley Real Estate | Christie's International Real Estate
The Station at KentmereNew Townhomes for Rent in Auburn, GA – Just Outside AtlantaExplore brand-new, three-bedroom townhomes crafted for comfort, style, and convenience. Situated in a rapidly growing corridor near Highway 316 and I-85, The Station at Kentmere features open-concept layouts, chef-inspired kitchens, stainless steel appliances, smart home technology, in-home laundry, and
PRIVATE LANDLORD! Welcome Home! Fantastic END unit! Beautifully Maintained 3-Bedroom Home in Gated Community Just 20 Minutes from Mall of Georgia! This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers approximately 1,745 sq ft of comfortable living space on a well-manicured lot with new flooring throughout. Inside, you'll love the open floor plan that flows seamlessly from the living room to the dining area and
Our beautiful four-bedroom rental homes feature high-end finishes such as granite countertops, resilient plank flooring, fireplaces, attached garages, stainless steel appliances, and large bedrooms with spacious closets. With three floor plans to choose from, you can find the perfect layout to fit your lifestyle. Whether you need extra space for a home office or a guest room for hosting visitors,
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