Auburndale is located in Polk County, in the Tampa Bay Area Metro. Settlement in Auburndale began in the 1880's with completion of the railroad through the area. The growing community's economy was based on agriculture. Citrus processing, farm machinery, and transportation of goods remain a major factor in the local economy today. Auburndale retains a small town atmosphere in the midst of the bustle of central Florida. It was designated as a "Florida Main Street" in 1992 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Auburndale is about 10 miles from Lakeland and 50 miles from Orlando to the northeast and Tampa to the southwest.