Calvert and Sheridan combined to form Auburn in 1882,[4] in part to have the voting power to wrestle the county seat away from Brownville, Nebraska, a village located ten miles east.

The incorporation was successful, and in 1883, Auburn was named the county seat.

[6] The only person to be elected to the United States Congress as a member of the Prohibitionist Party, Charles Hiram Randall, was born in Auburn on July 23, 1865.

The Auburn Athletics played home games at the Legion Memorial Park.

[7][8][9][10] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.18 square miles (5.65 km2), all land.

33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,350 people, 1,479 households, and 924 families residing in the city.

33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.