New Commute Data: Telecommuting on the Rise

The news from the most recent American Community Survey data isn't entirely bad for advocates hoping that Americans will switch to more efficient, less impactful forms of commuting.

2 minute read

October 18, 2019, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Empty Subway

Orhan Cam / Shutterstock

Romic Aevaz shares analysis of one-year estimates of commutes from the 2018 American Community Survey, reporting increasing teleworking and declining in driving alone.

"Data from the newly released 2018 American Community Survey shows that telework continued its upward trend, while driving alone to work trended slightly downward. Several regions that had a reduction in the share of workers driving alone had a corresponding increase in biking and walking to work.'

According to Aevaz, working from home has surpassed public transit commuting for the second year in a row. Really, driving alone is mostly the same, having declined only slightly from 76.4 percent mode share nationally in 2017 to 76.3 percent in 2018. The figure has declined from 76.5 percent in 2014. Public transit commutes have declined from 5.2 percent in 2014 to 4.9 percent in 2018, according to the data.

There is a lot more nuance available at the regional level, as detailed by tables created for the article. Aevaz explains the big takeaways from regional data thusly:

Of the 15 regions profiled, the share of workers driving alone decreased in the past year in 10 of the regions and 9 of the core cities. The most substantial drops were in Seattle (-2.8% in the city, -1.5% regionally), San Francisco proper (-2.1%), Detroit (-2% in the city, -1.1% in the region), Philadelphia proper (-1.5%), and San Diego proper (-1.5%). The most substantial increase was in Houston (1.2% in the city, 0.6% in the region). In a few cities, the share of commuters driving alone to work moved noticeably in opposite directions in the city proper and broader region. In Atlanta and San Francisco, the share of workers driving alone dropped in the city limits (almost 1 point in Atlanta, two points in San Francisco) but increased in the region as a whole.

There are a lot more details in the article, as well as a promise of five-year data to come in December.

Friday, October 18, 2019 in Eno Center for Transportation

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.