- In 2003, Site Selection magazine ranked Auburn in the Top 100 for small towns for new or expanding facilities.
- In 2004, Auburn University was ranked 43rd among the nation's top public institutions by U.S. News & World Report.
- In 2007, Forbes named the Auburn-Opelika Area the 6th fastes growing Metro Statistical Area in the US for small metros.
- Newsweek named Auburn City Schools one of the top non-magnet public schools in Alabama and one of the top 30 in the U.S.
- The Auburn Metro Area was named one of "America's 50 Hottest's Cities" by Expansion Management magazine in 2004.
- In 2005, the Auburn Metro Area was ranked #1 in the U.S. for golf by Golf Digest.
