Auburn is located in Androscoggin County, of which it is the county seat. It is just north of Portland between Portland and Lewiston, along Highway 4 on the banks of the Androscoggin River.
The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 22,617, a decrease of 1,692 since 1990.
Local attractions include the famous Sugarloaf ski area, the Bates Arts Museum on the campus of Bates College, and the Franco-American Heritage Collection at Lewiston-Auburn College.
Auburn is part of the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metro area.