Auburn Area Business Forecast

When it comes to economic growth Auburn has been leading the region!

The community boasts a large, capable labor force, cooperative city governments, a city Economic Development Manager, a Small Business Assistance Center and a Chamber of Commerce committed to working closely with area businesses.  Our strategic location between Seattle and Tacoma, next to major highways and railroads make us an ideal business location.

To assure orderly growth, the City of Auburn has developed a comprehensive land use plan, with specific areas designated for industrial, commercial and residential development with the ability to establish special planning districts. A new comprehensive downtown plan greatly expedites the plan review process. All of the above plans are interspersed with parks and open spaces to preserve the community’s quality of life.

More than two thirds of Auburn’s industrial land has been developed, providing a solid industrial and business base. The remaining raw land is still very affordable. In regard to workforce readiness, the Auburn area draws from a skilled and mobile labor force of well over one million people who live within 20 easily traveled miles. Auburn’s economic indicators remain very impressive.

Auburn is seen as a good place to invest and do business. In the last ten years we have seen the development of a new YMCA, a new Justice Center, downtown revitalization, SuperMall of the Great Northwest, Emerald Downs, Muckleshoot Casino, Auburn Performing Arts Center, White River Museum, White River Amphitheater, Washington National Golf Course, the commuter rail station, the new Safeway distribution center, and the newly finished Auburn Golf Course Clubhouse. The area surrounding the SuperMall continues to develop as does the 277^th Street business corridor.

Visitor Destination

Auburn has become a popular visitor destination boasting the SuperMall of the Great Northwest, Emerald Downs, the Muckleshoot Casino, the Iron Horse Casino, the White River Valley Museum, the Washington National Golf Course, the White River Amphitheatre, an authentic and unique downtown currently undergoing re-vitalization, Pacific Raceways, and many new motels, restaurants and tourist attractions.  For more tourism related questions, visit www.auburntourism.com.

Population Growth

Auburn straddles the county lines of south King and northern Pierce counties. The area is one of the fastest growing in the Puget Sound region. The whole South Sound Area now boasts of having over a million residents. During the last five years, within a five-mile radius of downtown Auburn, over 10,000 people chose Auburn as their new home. If projections prove correct, by 2010 another 9,655 people will choose the Auburn area as their new address.

Household Income

The average household income grew 14 percent, from $46,788 in 2000 to $53,136 in 2005 and is expected to grow another 14 percent in the coming 5 years.

2008 Households by Income

Homes

From 2000 to 2003, the number of housing units in the 5-mile radius of downtown Auburn grew from 59,296 to 63,475. Forecasts show that over 5,000 homes will be built here by 2010. Local home values are stable and affordable. In just five years the median value of a home in Auburn increased by 42% from $155,689 in 2000 to $219,632 by the end of 2005.  Even at current values, homes in the Auburn area cost less than the median price of a single-family home in King County.

Job Creation

Auburn leads south King County in job creation. Unemployment dropped from 29.5% in 2000 to 3.9% today.  The future continues to look promising as more businesses are attracted to the Auburn area and the downtown undergoes a dynamic revitalization.

Median Age and Education

The median age within the area is 35.5, with the greatest percentage falling within the ages of 25-54. More than half, 58.9 percent, graduated from college or have some college education.

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 Census of Population and Housing.  ESRI forecasts for 2005 and 2010

2008 Population by Age

2008 Population by Race

Transportation Hub

Located between Seattle and Tacoma in the Green River Valley, Auburn also has ready access to regional, national and international markets via a modern network of air, sea, rail, and highway transportation facilities.

Two major railroads, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe and Union Pacific, serve the area. These and several auto freight carriers provide fast cargo service to the inland United States. Auburn has many supply chain businesses to move product to market.

The city is bisected by state highways 18 and 167, major arterials that connect within three miles downtown to Interstate 5, the state’s major north-south freeway system. This puts Auburn just 15 miles from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and the Port of Tacoma, and just 20 miles from the Port of Seattle, the closest deep-water port to Alaska and the Far East.

A beautiful new commuter rail station was built and opened in Auburn in the fall of 2001. Three trains now carry commuters from Tacoma through Auburn to Seattle with plans to add more service on north to Everett and south to Lakewood. Sounder commuter trains are new multi-level passenger coaches with a first and second floor, pulled by diesel locomotives. Trains are six to eight cars long. Bus routes are scheduled to connect with train arrivals.

Auburn Municipal Airport

Auburn Municipal Airport is the 3rd busiest airport in the state and classified by the Federal Aviation Administration as a reliever for both Sea-Tac and Boeing Field. The airport is situated on 86 acres with over 277 based-aircraft and has more than 160,000 business, personal and medical aircraft operations per year. The airport is under private management and is undergoing major improvements and enhancements. The City of Auburn has designated the airport as an economic growth area.

. . .Home