Auburn is a vibrant, expanding city located in the Green River Valley of Washington State, primarily in King County with a small portion extending southward into Pierce County. Situated roughly midway between Seattle and Tacoma, Auburn serves as a crucial residential, commercial, and industrial connector for the Puget Sound region. The city balances a deep-rooted agricultural history with a modern identity shaped by heavy manufacturing, retail, and tribal enterprise.
Beyond its reputation as an industrial hub—anchored by one of the largest airplane parts plants in the world operated by The Boeing Company—Auburn is widely known for its recreational and entertainment footprint. It is home to Emerald Downs, Washington's premier thoroughbred horse racing track, the White River Amphitheatre, and Pacific Raceways.
Auburn also holds deep cultural significance as the home of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, whose reservation lies within and adjacent to the city limits. Because of its location near the foothills of the Cascade Range and major state routes leading eastward, Auburn has long been affectionately dubbed the "Gateway to Mount Rainier."
