A new study finds that the first decade of the 21st century exhibited a mass migration—of U.S. jobs moving farther away from where U.S. residents live.
"Between 2000 and 2012, the number of jobs within the typical commute distance for residents in a major metro area fell by 7 percent," according to a new Brookings Institution study. "Of the nation’s 96 largest metro areas, in only 29—many in the South and West, including McAllen, Texas, Bakersfield, Calif., Raleigh, N.C., and Baton Rouge, La.—did the number of jobs within a typical commute distance for the average resident increase. Each of these 29 metro areas also experienced net job gains between 2000 and 2012."
The report, by co-authors Elizabeth Kneebone and Natalie Holmes, defines "nearby jobs" as the number of jobs within a typical commute distance from the center point of that tract. "Typical commute distances" are based on the median commute distance in each metro area.
The study explains the numbers as a result of suburbanized employment—but even suburban residents were farther away from jobs as a result of the trend. "Suburban residents saw the number of jobs within a typical commute distance drop by 7 percent, more than twice the decline experienced by the typical city resident (3 percent)."
The post announcing the study on the Brookings website shares more of the study's key findings, including data about high-poverty and majority-minority neighborhoods.
FULL STORY: The growing distance between people and jobs in metropolitan America
How Americans Spend Former Commute Time
Unsurprisingly, American workers whose commutes have been reduced or eliminated by new remote work arrangements are spending more time on rest, leisure, and childcare activities.
Some Commute Times Worsening Despite Remote Work Trends
The unpredictability of constantly changing commuting trends has some workers seeing much longer commute times as transportation agencies work to adjust to new travel patterns.
The Disparate Racial Impacts of Commute Times
Commute times vary significantly depending on race, according to a recent study. The consequences of the imbalance have very real social and economic effects for already marginalized racial groups.
The Top Urban Planning Books of 2022
An annual list of the must-read books related to urban planning and its intersecting fields.
How Urban Trees Save Lives
New research shows a strong connection between a healthy urban tree canopy and lowered mortality rates.
Anchorage Eliminates Parking Requirements Citywide
Anchorage is the latest city to enact sweeping parking reforms, in another blow to the car-centric status quo of planning.
Some States Use More Highway Funding for Transit Than Others
A news study brings the receipts on state and regional transportation spending.
Bikeshare Ridership Up From Pre-Pandemic Levels
Shared micromobility, particularly docked bikeshare systems, are seeing record growth, but ‘scooter inflation’ may cool riders’ enthusiasm.
Free Rides, Overnight Service Considered for Metro Transit in D.C.
Washington, D.C. councilmembers are making a bold commitment to public transit.
Powhatan County
City of Benicia
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Georgia Tech
City of Dallas
American Planning Association, Sustainable Communities Division
California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority)
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.
