Auburn University is one of the largest employers in the region, and the Auburn-Opelika metro area is among the best places to live in America!
Our community is often recognized for its quality of life, K-12 schools, economic vitality, and even golf. Please take a few minutes to check out the information and links on this page to learn more about why we are so proud to call this community our home!
City of Auburn
Auburn is a small, friendly university town in the rolling hills of east central Alabama, with a population around 60,000. It is conveniently located along Interstate 85, less than 60 miles northeast of Alabama’s capital city of Montgomery; about 30 miles northwest of Columbus, Georgia; and 100 miles southwest of Atlanta. Alabama’s Gulf Shores can be reached in less than four hours.
The City of Auburn and Auburn University share a special relationship, including partnerships such as the Yarbrough Tennis Center and the Auburn Research Park. The famed Toomer’s Corner not only marks the spot where the city and university intersect, but it is a widely popular place for the city and university communities alike to gather in celebration.
Auburn residents overwhelmingly rate the city as a great place to live, work and raise children, but don’t just take their word for it. Forbes has consistently ranked Auburn on its lists for Best Places to Retire and Best Small Places for Business and Careers. Auburn City Schools has consistently been ranked among the top public school systems in the state and nation.
City of Opelika
Opelika, Auburn's sister city, is full of quaint charm and rich in heritage.
It is a vibrant small town with a high quality of life for its nearly 30,000 residents. It remains one of the few cities to provide low-cost electric power through a municipally-owned electric department.
Opelika is the county seat for Lee County, the eighth largest county by population in Alabama. It is home to the Opelika SportsPlex and Aquatics Center; a branch of Southern Union State Community College, one of 27 institutions in the Alabama Community College System; and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National.
Opelika’s prosperity was once based on the railroads and bolstered by the mill and manufacturing industries. This helped foster a culture where work ethic is still respected, and tradition is honored. This prosperity built parks, funded schools and supported athletic teams. It allowed the development of amenities other towns the size simply of Opelika didn’t have, like excellent healthcare facilities and city recreation programs. (Taken from the City of Opelika)
Location, Location!
Auburn University is a quick and easy drive from the following locations:
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Montgomery (55 miles)
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Atlanta (108 miles, and we're even closer to the airport)
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Birmingham (110 miles)
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Mountains (the Great Smoky Mountains are about 5 1/2 hours away, and the Alabama and Georgia mountains are even closer)
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Gulf beaches (Gulf Shores and Destin are about 4 hours away)
