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

Eugene Ends Parking Minimums
In a move that complies with a state law aimed at reducing transportation emissions, Eugene amended its parking rules to eliminate minimum requirements and set maximum parking lot sizes.

How Paris, Texas Became a ‘Unicorn’ for Rural Transit
A robust coalition of advocates in the town of 25,000 brought together the funding and resources to launch a popular bus service that some residents see as a mobility lifeline—and a social club.

San Diegans at Odds Over ‘Granny Towers’
A provision in the city’s ADU ordinance allows developers to build an essentially unlimited number of units on single-family lots.

New York Strengthens Protections for Mobile Home Park Residents
Modular home owners will get the first right of refusal when park owners want to sell residential parks.

Palo Alto Expands Church ‘Safe Parking’ Program
The city is considering adding commercial lots to the program, which provides safe parking and amenities for people living in cars.

Report: California’s Orphan Wells Still Pose Health Risks
Tens of thousands of idle oil wells litter the state. Taxpayers are often on the hook for cleanup.
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Park City Municipal Corporation
National Capital Planning Commission
City of Santa Fe, New Mexico
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.