Auburn, New York, sits along the northern point of Owasco Lake. About 55 miles east of Rochester and 25 miles west of Syracuse, Auburn's primary claim to fame stems back almost 200 years. In 1849, Harriet Tubman began her journey to freedom and, over the next decade, led more than 300 enslaved people to freedom along the Underground Railroad. In 1858, the famous abolitionist settled in Auburn.
Today, Auburn showcases its vibrant history with museums, monuments and community events. However, the largest draws to this historic city are its clear blue waters, year-round recreation and scenic surroundings. "The biggest draw to the region is by far the Finger Lakes," says Lucas Ferrin, associate broker with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services and Auburn native. "We're right in the middle of them. You can drive 30 minutes in any direction and go hiking in the mountains, hit the beach in Fair Haven or explore one of the many other small lake towns around here."
The area's larger metropolitan communities often overshadow Auburn, but this former industrial hub is slowly transforming itself as it aims to attract community-oriented residents and businesses. Today, manufacturing and agriculture are still leading industries in the county, in addition to the Auburn Correctional Facility. "It's been there for over 200 years," Ferrin says. "It's about two blocks from downtown, but you get so used to it growing up that you don't even notice it." Additional local employers span the human services, healthcare, government and education sectors.
In 1858, the famous abolitionist Harriet Tubman settled in Auburn.
In "Prison City", the Auburn Correctional Facility is 2 blocks from downtown, and was where the first execution by electric chair took place.
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Historic city homes and lakefront retreats
Auburn's landscapes include an eclectic mix of late 19th- and early 20th-century houses along residential streets. Historic bungalows, Queen Annes, Victorians and National-style homes line paved sidewalks. On the outskirts of town, suburban streets are lined with bi-levels, Colonial Revivals and ranch-style houses. Median list prices in the city hover around the upper-$100,000s, ranging from $40,000 to the $400,000s. Some of Auburn's largest properties are found right outside the city limits on secluded estates, along the shores of Owasco Lake or scattered throughout Melrose Park. These properties can range from the $400,000s to over $1 million. Skaneateles is the region's most sought-after lakefront community just 7 miles away. "It's right down the street, and yet it has multi-million-dollar lakefront properties, while ours rarely exceed $1 million," Ferrin says. "Auburn is just a more affordable, economically diverse town."
Auburn's landscapes include an eclectic mix of late 19th- and early 20th-century houses, such as Victorian homes.
Some of Auburn's largest properties are found right outside the city limits on secluded estates, along the shores of Owasco Lake.
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Year-round recreation in Auburn
Casey Park features the city's only community pool, skatepark and indoor ice rink. Additional amenities include sports courts, a playground and Falcon Park, the official baseball stadium for the Class-A Auburn Doubledays baseball team. Hoopes Park offers a tranquil retreat three miles east, but is best known for its summer concert series and occasional movie screenings.
On the south side of town, Emerson Park and Deauville Island Park hug the lakefront, attracting anglers, picnickers and disc-golf players. The grounds host countywide events such as Fourth of July celebrations and The Great Race. "It's one of the largest relay races in the country," Ferrin says of the Great Race. The race takes place the second weekend of August in conjunction with Founder's Weekend. Participants must run 4 miles, bike 12 miles and paddle for almost 3 miles along Owasco Lake. The park is also the site of the head of the Owasco Outlet, a river that weaves past the local marina and through downtown.
Down the road, Owasco Country Club is a members-only club, while Highland Park Golf Club is a semi-private club. "The great thing about Auburn is that we have all four seasons," Ferrin says. "There are beautiful hiking trails in the fall, skiing in the winter, and water activities in the summer. The summers are so temperate, you can spend the entire season outside." Although recent years have seen less snow accumulation, the area receives average annual snowfalls of around 102 inches.
Hoopes Park in Auburn offers a tranquil retreat for dog walking, but is best known for its summer concert series and occasional movie screenings.
Emerson Park is the site of the head of the Owasco Outlet, a river that weaves past the local marina and through downtown Auburn.
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State Street's dining and cultural scene
Downtown Auburn's dining scene is centered along State Street and Genesee Street. Rows of historic storefronts house hip eateries, breweries and boutiques. Restaurants range from cozy cafes to fine dining establishments. Several events also take place along State Street and include the city's summer concert series on Wednesdays and Fridays, Founder's Weekend celebrations, annual parades and seasonal farmers markets. Other establishments include historic theaters and institutions like the Cayuga Museum of History & Art, which explores the works of Theodore Case, a local innovator who brought sound into the film industry.
Wegman's anchors the downtown district, but nearly all other grocers and big-box stores are clustered along the outskirts of town. "You can reach everything you need in 10 to 15 minutes," Ferrin says. The Finger Lakes Shopping Mall lines U.S. Route 20 on the west side of town, while additional retailers, grocers, fast-food chains and local restaurants are scattered along both sides of New York State Route 5.
The Cayuga Museum of History & Art in Auburn explores the works of Theodore Case, a local innovator who brought sound into the film industry.
Wegman's anchors the downtown Auburn district, but nearly all other grocers and big-box stores are clustered along the outskirts of town.
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Auburn City School District
The Auburn Enlarged City School District scores an overall B-minus rating from Niche. The district enrolls over 3,700 students across five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.
Auburn is also home to Cayuga Community College, while Ithaca, Syracuse and Rochester feature several renowned institutions. Top-rated schools near Auburn include Cornell University, Syracuse University, Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester.
The Auburn Enlarged City School District, including Auburn High, scores an overall B-minus rating from Niche.
Auburn is also home to the prestigious Cayuga Community College, one of the best public colleges in the area.
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25 miles to Syracuse
Auburn boasts a walkable downtown area, public transportation and a centrally located hospital. However, most residents rely on personal vehicles to get around the city. U.S. Route 20, New York State Route 34 and State Route 5 intersect in the heart of town, while Interstate 90 is also nearby. Residents are within commuting distance of the region's largest cities, including Rochester, about 55 miles west, and Ithaca, 35 miles south. Syracuse is approximately 25 miles east, while Syracuse Hancock International Airport is about 5 miles farther.
Year-round considerations
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, property crimes decreased by nearly 2% between 2022 and 2023, while violent crimes increased by 30% within the same period.
Written By
Lillie Duston
Photography Contributed By
Greg Dunbar
Video By
Bob Yukich
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Auburn by the Numbers
59
Average Days on Market
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)$191,500
Median Single Family Price$191,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft$143
Months Of Supply1
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Auburn, NY
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Andrew J. Smith Elementary School
B+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#2 Weedsport Elementary School
B-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#3 A.A. Gates Elementary School
C+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#4 William H. Seward Elementary School
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#5 Herman Avenue Elementary School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#6 Owasco Elementary School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#7 Genesee Street Elementary School
C
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#8 Casey Park Elementary School
C
Niche
2
GreatSchools
#9 Cayuga-Onondaga Boces
Best Public Middle Schools
#1 Weedsport Junior/Senior High School
B-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#2 Union Springs Middle School
B+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#3 Auburn Junior High School
C
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#4 Cayuga-Onondaga Boces
#5 Harriet Tubman Res Center
Best Public High Schools
#1 Union Springs Middle/High School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#2 Weedsport Junior/Senior High School
B-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#3 Port Byron Senior High School
C+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#4 Auburn High School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#5 Cayuga-Onondaga Boces
#6 Harriet Tubman Res Center
Best Private Schools
#1 Tyburn Academy of Mary Immaculate
B
Niche
#2 Creative Minds Montessori
#3 Creative Minds Montessori School
#4 Hillside Children's Center - Finger Lakes Campus
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