Auburn is a city in King County, with a small portion in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 70,180 at the 2010 United States Census. Auburn is a suburb in the Seattle metropolitan area, currently ranked the fourteenth largest city in the state of Washington.
Auburn is bordered by the cities of Federal Way, Pacific, and Algona to the west, Sumner to the south, Kent to the north, and unincorporated King County to the east. The Muckleshoot Indian Reservation is in or near the southern city limits.
Video Auburn, Washington
History
In 2008, Auburn nearly doubled its population by annexing the West Hill and Lea Hill neighborhoods of unincorporated King County.
Maps Auburn, Washington
Geography
Auburn is located at 47°18?8?N 122°12?53?W (47.302322, -122.214779).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.89 square miles (77.41 km2), of which, 29.62 square miles (76.72 km2) is land and 0.27 square miles (0.70 km2) is water.
Two rivers, the White River and, to a greater extent, the Green River flow through Auburn.
Historically, the Stuck River ran through the settlement of Stuck, which is now a small pocket of unincorporated King County within southern Auburn. In 1906, the flow of the White River was diverted into the Stuck's channel near today's Game Farm Park. References to the Stuck River still appear in some property legal descriptions and place names, e.g. Stuck River Drive, within Auburn, but today it is essentially indistinguishable from the southern White River.
Geographic location of Auburn
Parks
Auburn has an extensive system of parks, open space and urban trails consisting of 28 developed parks, over 23 mi (37 km) of trails (including Auburn's 4.5 mi (7.2 km) portion of the Interurban Trail for bikers, walkers, runners and skaters), and almost 247 acres (100 ha) of open space for passive and active recreation.
Auburn's records and averages
Transportation
Auburn has many large roads nearby and within city limits, including State Route 167 (commonly referred as the "Valley Freeway") and State Route 18. Auburn also has its own transit center, Auburn station in downtown, that serves as a major hub for southern King County. Sound Transit buses connect the Auburn Transit Center directly to the Federal Way, Sumner, and Kent, while King County Metro buses connect the Transit Center to Green River Community College, the Super Mall, and Auburn Way.
Sounder commuter trains travel from Auburn to Downtown Seattle in approximately 30 minutes, and to Lakewood station in less than 35 minutes.
Until 1987 Auburn was also the home for a steam locomotive roundhouse and diesel engine house of the Northern Pacific Railway, the BNSF Railway of today. BNSF maintains a rail yard and small car repair facility, along with maintenance-of-way facilities at the former NP yard. The Auburn Municipal Airport serves the general aviation community.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 70,180 people, 26,058 households, and 17,114 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,369.3 inhabitants per square mile (914.8/km2). There were 27,834 housing units at an average density of 939.7 per square mile (362.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 70.5% White, 4.9% African American, 2.3% Native American, 8.9% Asian, 1.6% Pacific Islander, 6.3% from other races, and 5.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 12.9% of the population.
There were 26,058 households of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.3% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.22.
The median age in the city was 34.4 years. 25.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.5% were from 45 to 64; and 10.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.4% male and 50.6% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 40,314 people, 16,108 households, and 10,051 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,895.9 per square mile (732.1/km²). There were 16,767 housing units at an average density of 788.5 per square mile (304.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.80 percent White, 2.42 percent African American, 2.54 percent Native American, 3.50 percent Asian, 0.51 percent Pacific Islander, 3.66 percent from other races, and 4.56 percent from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 7.49 percent of the population.
There were 16,108 households out of which 32.8 percent had children under the age of eighteen living with them, 43.7 percent were married couples living together, 13.4 percent had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6 percent were non-families. 29.1 percent of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.6 percent under the age of eighteen, 9.5 percent from eighteen to 24, 31.6 percent from 25 to 44, 20.7 percent from 45 to 64, and 11.6 percent who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $39,208, and the median income for a family was $45,426. Males had a median income of $36,977 versus $27,476 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,630. About 10.2 percent of families and 12.8 percent of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3 percent of those under age 18 and 8.8 percent of those age 65 or over.
Neighborhoods
- Downtown--Historic buildings with a Main Street USA appearance, also many Craftsman-style houses from the 1920s.
- North Auburn--A mix of commercial and single-family housing separated by Auburn Way North.
- River's Bend--A small residential neighborhood nestled along the Green River, located at the bottom of Lea Hill in North Auburn.
- Christopher/Thomas--An area in North Auburn roughly bordered by the Valley Drive Inn and 227th Street. Both are former farming towns annexed into the city in the 1960s.
- Lea Hill, Washington--A mainly residential neighborhood east of the valley, annexed into the city in 2007. Green River Community College is located here.
- Hazelwood--The area on Lea Hill between Green River Community College, and Auburn Mountainview High School. Once a town in the late nineteenth century.
- West Valley--A commercial and industrial area on the west side of SR 167, located on the bottom of West Hill.
- West Hill--Located on the West Hill, bordered by the city of Federal Way to the west.
- South Auburn--A general area located south of downtown, once a low-income area but becoming a commercial zone.
- Terminal Park--An area of middle class housing near the end of the rail yard named for the railroad workers who lived there.
- Forest Villa--Mainly residential area located in the Game Farm Park area.
- Lakeland Hills--A master-planned community sprawling on a large hillside at the southern end of the city on both sides of King and Pierce counties.
- Hidden Valley--A planned development located East of Lakeland Hills overlooking North Lake Tapps.
- Muckleshoot Area--The general area of the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation.
Government
The city of Auburn is a mayor-council form of government meaning the mayor is a full-time, separately elected position. The current Mayor is Nancy Backus, who was first elected to the post in 2013 and re-elected in 2017. She is the first female to serve in the office since Auburn was incorporated in 1891.
Auburn Council members
- Bob Baggett, Deputy Mayor
- Larry Brown
- Claude DaCorsi
- John Holman
- Bill Peloza
- Yolanda Trout-Manuel
- Largo Wales
Auburn is the site for the Northwest headquarters of United States General Services Administration.
Auburn is designated by the Veterans Day National Committee and the US Department of Veterans Affairs as a Regional Site for celebration of Veterans Day.
Auburn Police Department
See Auburn Police Department (Washington)
Annexation
Using King County's Annexation Initiative, Auburn annexed Lea Hill and West Hill in 2008. With the annexation, the city grew in population from 40,314 to 68,000 and increased its land area from 21.26 square miles (55.06 km²) to 29.89 square miles (77.41 km²).
Boeing
The Auburn Boeing Plant, opened in 1966, is the largest airplane parts plant in the world, with 2,100,000 square feet (200,000 m2) and 1,265,000 parts being manufactured each year. With over 5,000 employees, the Boeing plant is the third major employer in Auburn.
Crime
According to the Uniform Crime Report statistics compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2012, there were 248 violent crimes and 3,985 property crimes per 100,000 residents. Of these, the violent crimes consisted of six murders, 23 forcible rapes, 110 robberies and 109 aggravated assaults, while 984 burglaries, 2,415 larceny-thefts, 586 motor vehicle thefts and 18 acts of arson defined the property offenses.
Economy
Top employers
According to Auburn's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
Recreation and entertainment
The Outlet Collection Seattle
The Outlet Collection Seattle, formerly SuperMall of the Great Northwest, is an outlet mall which opened in 1995.
Emerald Downs Racetrack
Emerald Downs is a 167-acre (0.68 km2) six-level stadium and thoroughbred racetrack. The racetrack is operated on land purchased by the Muckleshoot in 2002.
White River Valley Museum
The White River Valley Museum's exhibits feature Auburn, from Native American history to the 1920s. They focus on the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, pioneer life, immigration from Europe and Japan, truck farming, railroading and the building of towns throughout the area. Visitors can visit a recreation of a pioneer cabin, climb aboard a Northern Pacific Railway caboose, and investigate a recreation of the shops in 1924 downtown Auburn.
White River Amphitheater
The White River Amphitheater is a 20,000-seat venue, located about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) east of the city limits.
Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation
Auburn has an extensive system of parks, open space and urban trails: 28 developed parks, over 23 mi (37 km) of trails (including Auburn's 4.5 mi (7.2 km) portion of the Inter-urban Trail for bikers, walkers, runners and skaters), and almost 247 acres (100 ha) of open space for passive and active recreation.
Notable people
- Cam Gigandet, actor best known for Never Back Down and Twilight
- Christine Gregoire, grew up in Auburn; attended Cascade Middle School and Auburn Senior High School; former Governor of Washington
- Greg Haugen, born and raised in Auburn; professional boxer; won four championship belts; holds record for highest number in attendance for a single fight against Julio César Chávez
- Ariana Kukors, Olympic swimmer and world record holder in the 200-meter individual medley; holder of seven major international competition medals - two golds, three silvers, and two bronzes
- Sir Mix-A-Lot, hip hop artist made famous with the track "Baby Got Back"
- Blair Rasmussen, professional basketball player; selected in the first round (fifteenth overall) in the 1985 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets
- Dave Reichert, former King County Sheriff; current representative from Washington's 8th congressional district; detective and member of the task force responsible for the search and capture of the Green River Killer
- Diane Schuur, multiple Grammy-winning jazz singer/pianist; her father was a policeman in Auburn
- Commander Dick Scobee, attended school and briefly lived in Auburn; his father was a road foreman of engines for the Northern Pacific Railway; attended Washington Elementary; North Auburn Elementary was named after him after the Space Shuttle Challenger accident
- Danny Shelton, professional football player with the Cleveland Browns; drafted in the first round (12th overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft; attended and played for Auburn Senior High School and the University of Washington
- D. C. Simpson, comic artist; created Ozy and Millie online comics
- Misty Upham, actress best known for Frozen River; raised in Auburn
- Minoru Yamasaki, designer of the World Trade Center and the Pacific Science Center Pavilion at the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle
Education
Currently the Auburn School District has fourteen elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools, making 22 schools in all. The district is larger than the city itself, serving the neighboring towns of Algona and Pacific, as well as some unincorporated areas around Auburn and Kent.
Green River Community College also resides in Auburn, atop Lea Hill.
High schools
ASD has three primary high schools:
Private and alternative high schools
Middle schools 6-8
- Cascade Middle School is located in North Auburn, and has a student population of 750. Its mission statement is "Spartan Excellence: Everyone, Everyday, Everywhere." The school's mascot is the Spartan.
- Mt. Baker Middle School is located in the southwest region of Auburn. It has about 900 students.
- Olympic Middle School is located in South Auburn and has about 700 students.
- Rainier Middle School is on Lea Hill and has about 900 students. The school's mascot is the panther.
Elementary schools K-5
- Alpac Elementary School is located in Pacific, Washington . It was opened in 1973 and named for the cities of Algona and Pacific. Originally an open classroom concept school, it converted to standard classroom ideals in 1983.
- Arthur Jacobsen Elementary School opened in 2007, on the former Jacobsen Tree farm and on the lower portion of Auburn Mountainview's campus. It is the youngest school in the district.
- Chinook Elementary School opened in 1963 and was named for the nearby White River Fish Hatchery. It is located on the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation.
- Dick Scobee Elementary School opened in 1959 as North Auburn Elementary and was renamed for the astronaut and Auburn High School graduate who died as commander of the Space Shuttle Challenger.
- Evergreen Heights Elementary School opened in 1970, located on the West Hill of Auburn.
- Gildo Rey Elementary School opened in 1969 under the name of South Auburn Elementary. It was renamed in 1976 in honor of longtime faculty member Gildo Rey.
- Rainier Christian Schools - Kent View in Auburn opened on September 1, 2005 after buying the property from Thomas Academy. The campus also houses Little People Pre-School.
- Hazelwood Elementary School opened in 1990 on Auburn's Lea Hill.
- Ilalko Elementary School opened in 1992. It is named after a Native American village; "Ilalko" means "striped water."
- Lakeland Hills Elementary School, Auburn's largest elementary school, opened in the Lakeland Hills community in 2006. It outperformed the state and district in the new SBA assessment and MSP Science Assessment.
- Lake View Elementary School opened in 1980.
- Lea Hill Elementary School opened in 1965 as one of only 11 schools in the United States designated as a National Educational landmark by the National Park Service.
- Pioneer Elementary School opened in 1950.
- Terminal Park Elementary School opened in 1945. It was named for the terminal end of the railroad and the neighborhood where the rail workers lived, Terminal Park.
- Washington Elementary School is the oldest elementary school in Auburn. It is located next to Auburn High School. It originally opened in 1920, and was demolished and re-built in 1970.
City landmarks
The City of Auburn has designated the following landmarks:
Image gallery
Sister cities
Auburn has four sister cities: Tamba, a city in the Hy?go prefecture of Japan; Pyeongchang, South Korea; Guanghan, China; Yuhang, China; and Mola di Bari, Italy. The relationship with Tamba is commemorated with an annual student exchange program between the two cities and neighboring Kent.
References
External links
- City of Auburn Government
- Auburn Tourism Site
Source of article : Wikipedia