Small-town market profile · Indiana
Auburn, IN area market data
Population, household spending and competition for 56 business types in the Auburn area, each scored against other small-town markets.
- Population, 2025
- 44,535
- +2.9% since 2020
- Households
- 17,096
- Median household income
- $74,331
- +31.7% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $194,100
- Jobs located here
- 21,740
- Highest market score
- 88
- Physical therapy, #2 of 400 scored small-town markets
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Auburn area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Auburn area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
An estimated 44,535 people live in the Auburn area, in 17,096 households. Population estimates show the Auburn area grew 2.9% from 2020 to 2025, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). The median household income in the Auburn area is $74,331 a year, 8% below the U.S. median of $80,734. That rose 31.7% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
Set against the U.S., households in the Auburn area spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 124, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (62).
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Auburn area are for physical therapy clinics (88), grocery and convenience stores (88) and hair salons (84). The Auburn area ranks #2 of 400 scored small-town markets for physical therapy clinics.
The Auburn area is made up of one county, DeKalb County. For its number of households, the Auburn area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for pet grooming and boarding businesses (2.3 times the U.S. rate) and the fewest for real estate agents and brokers (50% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Auburn area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Auburn area with other small-town markets for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among small-town markets | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical therapy | 88 | #2 of 400 | 5 | 2.9 | $4.7M | 194 | 3 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 88 | #4 of 538 | 22 | 12.9 | $4.6M | 135 | 5 |
| Hair salons | 84 | #4 of 538 | 27 | 15.8 | $602K | 140 | 4 |
| Convenience stores | 84 | #5 of 529 | 10 | 5.8 | $10.1M | 128 | Under 3 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 84 | #17 of 458 | 9 | 5.3 | $2.6M | 146 | 9 |
| Grocery stores | 84 | #17 of 506 | 7 | 4.1 | $14.4M | 155 | 5 |
| Barbershops | 82 | #24 of 377 | 5 | 2.9 | $3.3M | 173 | Under 3 |
| Tire shops | 81 | #20 of 431 | 7 | 4.1 | $2.9M | 116 | Under 3 |
| Spas and skin care | 78 | #16 of 504 | 10 | 5.8 | $1.6M | 186 | Under 3 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 78 | #17 of 538 | 48 | 28.1 | $339K | 159 | 9 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 77 | #46 of 536 | 26 | 15.2 | $1.2M | 140 | 5 |
| Nail salons | 76 | #22 of 387 | 6 | 3.5 | $2.7M | 162 | Under 3 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 75 | #52 of 538 | 116 | 67.9 | $201K | 132 | 32 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 75 | #63 of 536 | 20 | 11.7 | $1.6M | 126 | 5 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 74 | #33 of 400 | 5 | 2.9 | $4.7M | 149 | 4 |
| Gas stations | 73 | #61 of 536 | 23 | 13.5 | $2.3M | 95 | 21 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 72 | #40 of 476 | 7 | 4.1 | $6.4M | 134 | 13 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 72 | #62 of 526 | 16 | 9.4 | $1.5M | 148 | 10 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 71 | #70 of 538 | 75 | 43.9 | $845K | 127 | 30 |
| Chiropractors | 70 | #53 of 426 | 8 | 4.7 | $2.9M | 122 | 6 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 68 | #74 of 529 | 15 | 8.8 | $4.2M | 114 | 7 |
| Auto repair shops | 68 | #88 of 538 | 37 | 21.6 | $549K | 124 | 28 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 68 | #92 of 538 | 153 | 89.5 | $414K | 112 | 73 |
| Auto repair and car care | 68 | #96 of 538 | 65 | 38.0 | $313K | 116 | 36 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 67 | #76 of 507 | 14 | 8.2 | $4.5M | 109 | 7 |
| Home repair trades | 67 | #77 of 526 | 17 | 9.9 | $2.6M | 108 | 24 |
| Veterinarians | 67 | #80 of 398 | 5 | 2.9 | $2.7M | 101 | 6 |
| Gyms | 66 | #80 of 506 | 11 | 6.4 | $1.2M | 96 | 4 |
| Car washes and detailing | 66 | #94 of 441 | 6 | 3.5 | $3.4M | 134 | 8 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 62 | #108 of 387 | 7 | 4.1 | $2.9M | 94 | 7 |
| Child care and preschools | 62 | #131 of 454 | 7 | 4.1 | $882K | 88 | Under 3 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 61 | #141 of 535 | 24 | 14.0 | $570K | 86 | 4 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 59 | #191 of 537 | 23 | 13.5 | $2.8M | 90 | 35 |
| Real estate | 56 | #181 of 536 | 33 | 19.3 | Index only | 162 | 17 |
| Pet stores | 55 | #88 of 220 | 5 | 2.9 | $2.7M | 61 | Under 3 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 51 | #243 of 533 | 26 | 15.2 | Index only | 164 | 14 |
| Pet businesses | 48 | #313 of 527 | 33 | 19.3 | $415K | 47 | 6 |
| Pizza | 47 | #292 of 520 | 20 | 11.7 | $3.2M | 62 | 35 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 44 | #240 of 378 | 11 | 6.4 | $1.2M | 62 | Under 3 |
| Insurance agencies | 41 | #348 of 537 | 28 | 16.4 | $1.1M | 90 | 20 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 40 | #322 of 481 | 14 | 8.2 | $1.4M | 86 | 35 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 39 | #278 of 387 | 14 | 8.2 | $978K | 38 | Under 3 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 38 | #285 of 399 | 11 | 6.4 | $1.8M | 63 | 17 |
| Roofing and gutters | 37 | #219 of 288 | 9 | 5.3 | $5M | 59 | 5 |
| Funeral homes | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 2.3 | $563K | 83 | 4 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.8 | Index only | 139 | Under 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.2 | $16M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.2 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.2 | $10.1M | Too few | 15 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.2 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.2 | $11.7M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.2 | $6.8M | Too few | 4 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.6 | $44.6M | Too few | 6 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.6 | $32M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.6 | $20.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.6 | $20.2M | Too few | 3 |
Household spending in the Auburn area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $20.3M | $1,189 | 124 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $52.2M | $3,051 | 118 |
| Food away from home | $63.4M | $3,708 | 91 |
| Groceries | $101M | $5,905 | 93 |
| Personal care products and services | $16.3M | $951 | 95 |
| Child care and other personal services | $6.2M | $361 | 62 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $13.7M | $800 | 81 |
| Medical and dental services | $23.4M | $1,366 | 106 |
| Pets | $13.7M | $801 | 88 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $32M | $1,872 | 91 |
| Vehicle insurance | $31.7M | $1,855 | 95 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $44.6M | $2,611 | 87 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $20.2M | $1,180 | 83 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $232.2M | $13,582 | 82 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Auburn area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 44,535+2.9% since 2020
- Households
- 17,096
- Median age
- 39.9
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 82%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.1
- Land area
- 363 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 121
- Median household income
- $74,331+31.7% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $88,977
- Median home value
- $194,100
- Jobs located here
- 21,740
- Daytime population
- 43,616Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Auburn area?
These figures cover the whole small-town market. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Auburn area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Auburn area 1
- DeKalb County, IN43,807 people
Other markets based in Indiana 12
- Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area2,130,055 people
- Fort Wayne, IN metro area455,416 people
- South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area324,560 people
- Evansville, IN metro area270,494 people
- Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area226,805 people
- Elkhart-Goshen, IN metro area207,132 people
- Terre Haute, IN metro area168,719 people
- Bloomington, IN metro area162,569 people
- Muncie, IN metro area112,280 people
- Michigan City-La Porte, IN metro area111,917 people
- Kokomo, IN metro area83,752 people
- Columbus, IN metro area83,536 people
Questions
How fast is the Auburn, IN area growing?
Population estimates put the Auburn area at 44,535 people in 2025, up 2.9% since 2020, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 17,096 households. Against the 2015–2019 survey, median household income rose 31.7%, before inflation.
How much do households in the Auburn, IN area spend?
Households in the Auburn area spend about $232.2M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $101M on groceries and $63.4M on food away from home. Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Auburn area runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 124, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (62).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Auburn, IN area?
Of the business types scored in the Auburn area, physical therapy clinics (88), grocery and convenience stores (88) and hair salons (84) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For physical therapy clinics, that ranks #2 of 400 scored small-town markets.
How does the Auburn, IN area compare with the U.S.?
Median household income in the Auburn area is $74,331, 8% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 2.9% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $194,100, against $332,700 for the U.S. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for pet grooming and boarding businesses (2.3 times the U.S. rate) and lowest for real estate agents and brokers (50% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. A small-town market is a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people and the county or counties tied to it by commuting. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 44 of the 56 business types have a score in the Auburn area, each ranked against other small-town markets.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Auburn area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
All markets in Indiana · Every U.S. market · How we measure
Screening a site or an acquisition in the Auburn area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Auburn area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.