The Rise of Auburn: A Homeownership Success Story
In a surprising turn of events, Auburn, Alabama, has emerged as a leader in homeownership growth over the past decade. This achievement is all the more remarkable given the unique challenges the city faced.
Realty Homes' analysis, which examined U.S. Census data from 2014 to 2024, ranked Auburn fourth in the nation for homeownership growth. The study focused on cities with populations of at least 65,000 and 5,000 occupied housing units.
Buckeye, Arizona, topped the list with an impressive 86% homeownership rate. But here's where it gets interesting: Auburn made the cut despite having a large student population, which typically suppresses homeownership. However, growth beyond the university boundaries contributed to the increase in ownership.
And this is the part most people miss: Auburn had the lowest homeownership rate and median income of any city in the top 10. With a population of 80,594 (up from 53,380 in 2010), Auburn's homeownership rate grew from 43.75% in 2014 to 53.07% in 2024. The median home value in 2024 was $364,800, while the median income was $63,668.
"Auburn's growth in ownership is remarkable, considering its relatively low starting point," the analysis stated. The only other Southern cities to make the top 10 were Cape Coral and North Port, Florida, ranking eighth and tenth, respectively.
So, what do you think? Is Auburn's success a model for other cities to follow? Or are there unique factors at play here? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below. Let's spark a conversation!
