Auburn Hills is a city in Oakland County, Michigan, a state in the United States. It is a suburb located to the north of Detroit and is about 26 miles (42 kilometers) away from downtown Detroit. According to the 2020 census, the city had a population of 24,360 people.
Auburn Hills is home to Oakland University and the U.S. headquarters of Stellantis North America (formerly known as Chrysler) and BorgWarner. Before becoming a city in 1983, the area was part of Pontiac Township, which no longer exists.
History
In 1821, the area now known as Auburn Hills was called Pontiac Township. It included a small village named Auburn, located at the corner of Auburn and Squirrel roads today. The village was near the Clinton River and was named by Aaron Webster, the first person to settle there, after Auburn, New York. His sawmill and gristmill attracted other settlers to the area. After streets were built in 1826, Auburn competed with nearby Pontiac until the 1860s, when it lost its economic strength. The town was renamed Amy in 1880 and officially became Auburn Heights in 1919. Pontiac Township was located next to the city of Pontiac on two sides.
In 1908, John Dodge, a car inventor, bought a farmhouse 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of Auburn Heights to use as a vacation home. He and his wife, Matilda Dodge Wilson, later purchased 1,400 acres of farmland. After John Dodge died in 1920, Matilda married Alfred Gaston Wilson, a lumber business owner. Together, they built Meadow Brook Hall, one of America’s castles, on part of the land in present-day Rochester Hills. The castle cost $4 million at the time, which would be about $56.6 million in 2024. In 1957, Matilda donated the land to Michigan State University, leading to the creation of Oakland University.
John Dodge’s oldest daughter, Winifred Dodge, married Wesson Seyburn, a real estate businessman. He built a vacation home 2.5 miles (4.0 km) north of Auburn Heights. The estate had hunting land, dog kennels, a swimming pool, horse stables, and a 5,000-square-foot (460 m²) house in the style of a colonial revival. In 1975, Pontiac Township bought the estate and used the buildings for government purposes. Today, it is called the Auburn Hills Civic Center.
The name "Auburn Hills" was first used in 1964 by Oakland Community College. They named their campus, which was built on a former Nike missile base, after the town and the hilly land nearby. Oakland University’s campus is also partly located within Auburn Hills.
In 1971, Pontiac Township tried to become Pontiac Heights but was refused by state officials. In 1978, Pontiac Township became a charter township to prevent being taken over by other cities. In 1983, Pontiac Township merged with the village of Auburn Heights to form the City of Auburn Hills. This city should not be confused with another city named Auburn, Michigan, which is located in Bay County near Saginaw Bay.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.64 square miles (43.10 km), of which 16.60 square miles (42.99 km) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km) (0.24%) is water.
Demographics
As of the 2020 census, Auburn Hills had a population of 24,360. The median age was 31.7 years. 14.4% of residents were under the age of 18, and 13.9% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males, and for every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 95.4 males aged 18 and over.
100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 10,253 households in Auburn Hills. 20.3% of these households had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 35.2% were married-couple households, 26.9% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present, and 30.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 11,032 housing units in the city. 7.1% of these units were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0%, and the rental vacancy rate was 6.5%.
As of the 2010 census, there were 21,412 people, 8,844 households, and 4,923 families living in the city. The population density was 1,289.9 people per square mile (498.0/km²). There were 9,965 housing units, with an average density of 600.3 units per square mile (231.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 66.3% White, 18.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 8.9% Asian, 2.7% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race made up 7.8% of the population.
There were 8,844 households in the city. 27.0% of these had children under the age of 18 living with them. 38.8% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.3% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24, and the average family size was 2.90.
The median age in the city was 31.4 years. 19.4% of residents were under the age of 18, 17.8% were between 18 and 24, 31.9% were between 25 and 44, 21.6% were between 45 and 64, and 9.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% female and 51.6% male.
As of the 2000 census, there were 19,837 people, 8,064 households, and 4,604 families living in the city. The population density was 1,194.5 people per square mile (461.2/km²). There were 8,822 housing units, with an average density of 531.2 units per square mile (205.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.92% White, 13.22% African American, 0.32% Native American, 6.33% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.56% from other races, and 2.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race made up 4.50% of the population.
There were 8,064 households in the city. 26.7% of these had children under the age of 18 living with them. 43.0% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.9% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25, and the average family size was 2.92.
The age distribution was 20.4% under the age of 18, 15.9% between 18 and 24, 38.1% between 25 and 44, 18.2% between 45 and 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $51,376, and the median income for a family was $60,849. Males had a median income of $45,686, while females had a median income of $34,015. The per capita income for the city was $25,529. About 3.9% of families and 6.3% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those aged 66
Economy
Auburn Hills is located near Interstate 75 and has a thriving business community. In the early 1980s, Oakland University worked with developers to create a technology and research park. The Oakland Technology Park was approved by the city in 1985, and companies such as Comerica, EDS, and Chrysler built offices there. During the workday, the city’s many technology and office buildings are home to about 80,000 people.
Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, a large enclosed outlet mall, opened on November 12, 1998.
In 2002, the area near Auburn and Squirrel streets was improved and renamed the "Village Center." This area, now called Downtown Auburn Hills, includes streets and sidewalks designed to be friendly for walking. By the end of 2013, several major projects were completed in Downtown Auburn Hills, including a four-story apartment building for graduate students, a parking structure with 233 spaces, a classroom space for schools and colleges called the University Center, and the Downtown Educational Nook (DEN), a restored historic log cabin used as a student and community center.
Auburn Hills is home to several companies, including PHINIA, BorgWarner, Guardian Industries, Autoliv, RGIS, Joyson Safety Systems, the Americas headquarters of GKN Driveline, the North American headquarters of Faurecia, Volkswagen/Audi North American Headquarters, and until its demolition, The Palace of Auburn Hills, which was once the home of the National Basketball Association’s Detroit Pistons and the Women’s National Basketball Association’s Detroit Shock.
In 2017, Maserati announced it would move its U.S. headquarters from Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, to the former Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills.
Education
School districts that cover parts of Auburn Hills include Avondale School District, Pontiac School District, and Rochester Community Schools.
The Avondale School District runs two elementary schools within the city: R. Grant Graham Elementary School and Auburn Elementary School. Some areas of Auburn Hills in Avondale School District are assigned to these schools. All residents of Avondale School District attend Avondale Middle School in Rochester Hills and Avondale High School in Auburn Hills. Other Avondale School District buildings in Auburn Hills include the district’s administrative offices and Avondale Montessori. A school from the Pontiac School District, Will Rogers Elementary School, is located in the northeastern part of Auburn Hills.
Private schools in Auburn Hills include:
• Auburn Hills Christian School
• Oakland Christian School
Private schools near Auburn Hills include:
• Notre Dame Preparatory/Marist Academy, Pontiac
• Holy Family Regional School (HFRS) – This school has two campuses: a PK-3 North Campus in Rochester and a 4-8 South Campus in Rochester Hills. Two churches in Auburn Hills name HFRS as their parish school: St. John Fisher Chapel and Sacred Heart of the Hills. The first two churches supported the school from the beginning, and three other churches joined later, with Sacred Heart of the Hills being the last to join.
The main campus of Oakland University is located in Auburn Hills. Oakland Community College is also located in Auburn Hills.
Parks and recreation
Auburn Hills has several local parks, many of which are open all year.
A skateboard, inline skate, and BMX bike park is open to people of all ages and skill levels. The facility is always free to use and is open from April to November, from 8 a.m. until dusk.
A popular place for hiking and walking, this park has many nature trails. It also includes a fishing pond, picnic area, open lawns, and a picnic shelter with a fireplace. The park has a softball field, a 9-hole disc golf course, tennis courts, two play structures, and swings.
A 16-mile (26 km) walking path runs through Oakland County. The trail passes through several cities, including Rochester, Rochester Hills, Sylvan Lake, Auburn Hills, and Pontiac. The 2.1-mile (3.4 km) section in Auburn Hills is covered with finely crushed stone, making it suitable for walking, jogging, and biking.
Dennis Dearing Jr. Memorial Park has a fireman-themed play area for children ages 2–5. It also includes swings, picnic tables, and open spaces for picnics or play.
A two-acre park includes a play structure, sand volleyball courts, a paved play area, and open space for activities.
Riverside Park is located near downtown Auburn Hills and along the Clinton River. It is a popular spot during warm months, and a canoe launch is available during the warm season.
A park near downtown Auburn Hills has picnic areas, both open and sheltered, standing barbecue grills, and heated restrooms that are open all year. Visitors can walk on a paved path system that includes a bridge over the Clinton River. The park also has four basketball courts and play structures.