In numerous major U.S. cities, a median of 12.5% of employees work from home. However, some cities have up to 30% of their workforce remote, while others predominantly operate in-person. Various factors play into this disparity, including local industries, infrastructure, and demographics. The prevalence of remote work can significantly influence a city’s dynamics, impacting the types of food, transportation, and amenities sought by residents. Remote work can also provide more flexibility for workers to allocate their time and resources as they see fit, rather than spending them on commutes.
Considering these aspects, SmartAsset conducted a study ranking 349 of the largest U.S. cities based on the percentage of remote workers. The study also examined average commute times and transportation modes used by non-remote workers.
Key Findings:
– Frisco, Texas has the highest percentage of remote workers nationwide, with 34.16% of its workforce working remotely.
– 22 cities have over 25% of their workforce operating remotely, including Charlotte, NC; Arlington, VA; Seattle, WA; and others.
– Odessa, Texas has the lowest proportion of remote workers among large U.S. cities, with only 1.58% estimated to be working remotely.
– College towns like Cambridge, Massachusetts and Berkeley, California see a significant portion of workers walking to work, alongside a notable percentage of remote workers.
In New York City, about 13.37% of workers are remote, with a high percentage of commuters relying on public transit despite a relatively long average commute time.
For more details, the top 20 cities with the most remote workers are listed, showcasing the varying work patterns and commuting habits across different regions.
In the workforce of 505,359 individuals, the breakdown of commuting methods is as follows: 56.54% drive to work, 8.42% carpool, 1.83% use public transit, 2.02% walk, and 1.47% use other means. The average commute time is 25.1 minutes. Moving on to specific locations:
1. Cary Town, North Carolina:
– 29.40% of all workers are remote workers, totaling 27,469 individuals out of 93,444 in the workforce.
– Commuting breakdown: 62.84% drive, 4.49% carpool, 0.59% use public transit, 0.86% walk, and 1.82% use other means. Mean commute time is 23 minutes.
2. Carlsbad, California:
– 29.06% of all workers are remote workers, totaling 15,877 individuals out of 54,633 in the workforce.
– Commuting breakdown: 61.42% drive, 5.43% carpool, 0.62% use public transit, 1.47% walk, and 2.00% use other means. Mean commute time is 26.2 minutes.
3. Highlands Ranch, Colorado:
– 28.76% of all workers are remote workers, totaling 16,299 individuals out of 56,669 in the workforce.
– Commuting breakdown: 64.24% drive, 3.94% carpool, 0.79% use public transit, 0.91% walk, and 1.36% use other means. Mean commute time is 25.3 minutes.
4. Arlington, Virginia:
– 28.60% of all workers are remote workers, totaling 42,085 individuals out of 147,163 in the workforce.
– Commuting breakdown: 41.50% drive, 4.71% carpool, 16.88% use public transit, 4.29% walk, and 4.02% use other means. Mean commute time is 25.4 minutes.
5. Seattle, Washington:
– 28.46% of all workers are remote workers, totaling 132,724 individuals out of 466,374 in the workforce.
– Commuting breakdown: 38.69% drive, 6.01% carpool, 14.24% use public transit, 8.45% walk, and 4.16% use other means. Mean commute time is 25.5 minutes.
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Here is a revised summary of the data provided:
Bend, Oregon:
– Remote workers: 28.10%
– Number of remote workers: 15,883
– Total workforce population: 56,514
– Mean commute time: 16 minutes
– Transportation breakdown: 59.61% drive, 7.19% carpool, 0.28% public transit, 2.23% walk, 2.58% other means
Sandy Springs, Georgia:
– Remote workers: 28.04%
– Number of remote workers: 18,836
– Total workforce population: 67,182
– Mean commute time: 28.2 minutes
– Transportation breakdown: 62.18% drive, 4.84% carpool, 2.26% public transit, 0.78% walk, 1.90% other means
Naperville, Illinois:
– Remote workers: 27.88%
– Number of remote workers: 21,900
– Total workforce population: 78,558
– Mean commute time: 32 minutes
– Transportation breakdown: 56.31% drive, 5.16% carpool, 7.21% public transit, 1.95% walk, 1.50% other means
Scottsdale, Arizona:
– Remote workers: 27.71%
– Number of remote workers: 34,047
– Total workforce population: 122,850
– Mean commute time: 22.7 minutes
– Transportation breakdown: 63.83% drive, 4.17% carpool, 1.36% public transit, 1.44% walk, 1.49% other means
Washington, District of Columbia:
– Remote workers: 27.28%
– Number of remote workers: 104,626
– Total workforce population: 383,558
– Mean commute time: 30.4 minutes
– Transportation breakdown: 28.58% drive, 4.15% carpool, 22.90% public transit, 11.28% walk, 5.81% other means
Denver, Colorado:
– Remote workers: 26.05%
– Number of remote workers: 111,924
– Total workforce population: 429,729
– Mean commute time: 25.7 minutes
– Transportation breakdown: 56.48% drive, 7.42% carpool, 3.82% public transit, 3.61% walk, 2.63% other means
Bellevue, Washington:
– Remote workers: 25.98%
– Number of remote workers: 21,082
– Total workforce population: 81,157
– Mean commute time: 25.4 minutes
– Transportation breakdown: 53.57% drive, 6.51% car
In Atlanta, Georgia, 25.48% of all workers are remote workers, totaling 70,960 individuals out of a workforce of 278,472 people aged 16 and over. The majority of workers, 55.43%, drive to work, while 5.48% carpool, 5.54% use public transit, 5.20% walk, and 2.88% rely on other means of commuting. The average commute time for workers in Atlanta is 24.2 minutes.
This data is part of a study conducted on 349 of the largest U.S. cities with populations of 100,000 or more. The information was gathered from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 1-Year American Community Survey for 2023. The cities were ranked based on the percentage of individuals working from home compared to all workers aged 16 and over.
For further inquiries regarding this study, please reach out to us at press@smartasset.com.
Photo credit: iStock.com/martin-dm
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