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Commuting Study
Commuting Study
Commuting by
Automobile in the United States: 2013
American Community Survey Reports
By Brian McKenzie
August 2015
ACS-32
INTRODUCTION
The automobile has played a fundamental role in
shaping where we live and how we get around. It has
influenced the form and density of our communities
and expanded the geographic range of daily travel.
Nationally, the private automobile is the predominant
form of transportation for work and other travel purposes.1 In 2013, about 86 percent of all workers commuted to work by private vehicle, either driving alone
or carpooling (Figure 1). In recent years, the percentage
of workers who commute by private vehicle remained
relatively stable after decades of consistent increase.
For several individual years since the mid-2000s, the
average number of vehicle miles traveled in the United
States has either increased at a slower pace than in previous decades or declined.2, 3, 4 Although such shifts in
travel behavior are slight, they have captured attention
because they represent a disruption in an unequivocal,
decades-long pattern of increased automobile travel.
This report focuses on patterns of commuting by private vehicle among U.S. workers in 2013. It highlights
differences in rates of automobile commuting by key
population characteristics such as age, race, ethnicity,
and the types of communities in which workers live.
The information presented is based on data from the
1
U.S. Department of Transportation, Summary of Travel Trends:
2009 National Household Travel Survey, Technical Report No. FHWAPL-11-022. 2011, <www.nhts.ornl.gov/publications.shtml>.
2
Michael Sivak, Has Motorization in the United States Peaked?,
Transportation Research Institute, University of Michigan, 2014,
<www.umtri.umich.edu/our-results/publications/has-motorization
-us-peaked>.
3
Department of Transportation, Beyond Traffic 2045: Trends and
Choices, 2015, <www.dot.gov/beyondtraffic>.
4
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Commuting in America 2013: Brief 12 Auto Commuting 2013,
Washington, DC, 2015, <traveltrends.transportation.org>.
Figure 1.
76.4
9.4
Carpooled
Public
transportation
Worked
at home
5.2
4.4
Walked
2.8
Other means
of travel
1.3
Bicycle 0.6
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 American Community Survey,
Table S0801.
Yes,Definitions
on vacation, temporary illness,
maternity leave, other family/personal
Private
Vehicle
andetc.
Automobile
reasons,
bad
weather,
SKIP to
question
38 interchangeably in this
are used
Figure 2.
Motorcycle
Bicycle
Walked
Subway or elevated
Worked at
home SKIP
to question 39a
Railroad
Ferryboat
collectively
to
No report
SKIPto
to refer
question
36
Other method
Taxicab
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 American Community Survey Questionnaire.
See <www.census.gov/acs/www/methodology/questionnaire_archive>.
10
.4J&
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
About 86 percent of U.S. workers commuted to work by
automobile in 2013; 3 out of 4
commuters drove alone.
At 76.6 percent of workers,
driving alone to work peaked
in 2010.
The rate of carpooling has
declined during each decade
since 1980. About 9.0 percent
of workers carpooled in 2013,
down from 19.7 percent
in 1980.
40 Dur
WO
usu
Usu
Figure 3.
Total automobile
84.1
86.5
87.9
86.7
86.3 85.8
75.7
76.0
76.6 76.4
12.2
10.7
9.7
2000
Census
2006
ACS
2010 2013
ACS ACS
77.7
73.2
64.0
64.4
Drove alone
19.7
Carpooled
13.4
1960
Census
1970
Census
1980
Census
1990
Census
9.4
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 Census; 2006, 2010, 2013 American Community Survey.
NATIONAL TRENDS
IN COMMUTING
BY AUTOMOBILE
Transportation networks, whether
transit lines, sidewalks, or roads,
have played an important role in
guiding the design of our communities. The flexibility and speed
afforded by automobile travel has
contributed to an urban form
vastly different from the dense
hub-and-spoke patterns associated
with streetcar-oriented development or the grid-like patterns associated with early walking-oriented
cities.10 The automobile, among
10
Kenneth Jackson, Crabgrass Frontier:
The Suburbanization of the United States,
New York: Oxford University Press, 1985.
TRENDS IN COMMUTING
BY AUTOMOBILE ACROSS
COMMUNITIES
The interchange of people, goods,
and services that provide the building blocks of regional economies
often transcend municipal boundaries to encompass several contiguous communities. This is also true
of transportation networks, such
as roads and transit systems. For
this reason, metropolitan statistical
areas (referred to as metro areas
in this report for brevity) and their
components are often the most
appropriate geographic units for
assessing travel patterns. A metro
area contains a core urban area
population of 50,000 or more and
consists of one or more counties.12
12
For more detailed information about the
Office of Management and Budget standards
for delineating metropolitan and micropolitan
statistical areas, visit <www.census.gov
/population/metro/>.
Figure 4.
All workers
87
90
Lived outside
principal city,
in metro area
91
90
86
89
80
2006
Lived in a
principal city,
in metro area
78
2013
Note: Numbers are rounded. See Appendix Table 1 for estimates and margins of error.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 and 2013 American Community Survey.
Table 1.
Metro Areas of Populations 500,000 or Greater Among Those With the Largest Declines in
Rate of Automobile Commuting Between 2006 and 2013
(For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
/guidance.html)
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Percentage
of workers
2006
Margin
of error ()
Percentage
of workers
2013
Margin
of error ()
Decline
Margin
of error ()
73.6
78.9
86.8
91.6
81.3
82.3
0.5
0.5
1.2
0.9
1.2
0.5
69.8
75.6
83.9
88.7
78.5
79.5
0.5
0.4
1.4
1.9
1.0
0.6
3.8
3.3
2.9
2.9
2.8
2.8
0.7
0.7
1.8
2.1
1.6
0.8
83.1
0.4
80.5
0.4
2.7
0.6
92.0
84.5
91.7
89.7
90.9
59.1
89.6
91.4
0.8
0.8
0.7
0.9
1.0
0.3
0.9
0.8
89.4
81.9
89.1
87.1
88.5
56.9
87.4
89.3
1.2
1.1
0.7
1.1
1.1
0.3
0.9
0.8
2.7
2.7
2.6
2.6
2.4
2.2
2.1
2.1
1.5
1.4
1.0
1.4
1.5
0.4
1.2
1.2
Note: Universe: workers 16 years and older. See ACS Table S0802 in American FactFinder at <www.Factfinder2.census.gov>. The differences in percentages
in this table may not be statistically different from one another, or other metro areas not shown. Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability.
A margin of error is a measure of an estimates variability. The larger the margin of error in relation to the size of the estimates, the less reliable the estimate.
When added to and subtracted from the estimate, the margin of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 and 2013 American Community Survey.
Table 2.
Metro Areas Among Those With the Lowest Rates of Automobile Commuting
and Their Second Most Common Commute Mode: 2013
(For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
/guidance.html)
Percentage of
workers who
commuted by
private vehicle
Margin
of error
56.9
68.7
69.8
71.9
72.6
73.4
75.6
75.7
77.0
77.2
78.4
78.5
0.3
3.6
0.5
1.8
3.9
2.8
0.4
0.4
1.9
4.3
1.6
1.0
13 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14 Urban Honolulu, HI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 State College, PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
79.1
79.1
79.2
0.4
1.0
2.2
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Alternative
travel mode
with highest
commuting share
()
Second most
common
commute
mode
(percentage of
workers)
Margin
of error
()
18.9
17.5
7.6
11.1
8.8
11.1
6.2
8.0
6.4
8.5
7.9
7.6
0.2
2.4
0.3
1.3
2.5
2.0
0.3
0.3
1.0
3.1
1.3
0.6
4.7
7.9
9.9
0.2
0.7
1.9
Note: Universe: workers 16 years and older. See ACS Table S0801 in American FactFinder at <www.Factfinder2.census.gov>. Data are based on a
sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimates variability. The larger the margin of error in relation to the size
of the estimates, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate, the margin of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 American Community Survey.
DIFFERENCES IN
AUTOMOBILE COMMUTING
BY AGE
Rapidly evolving transportation
options and changing demographics across communities raise
several questions about current
and future travel patterns. Young
people show some deviation from
several long-standing travel-related
indicators, including higher rates
of commuting by travel modes
other than private vehicles
Table 3.
2013
Workers
(in thousands)
Percentage of
workers
Margin of
error ()
Workers
(in thousands)
Percentage of
workers
Margin of
error ()
138,266
105,046
14,852
6,684
623
3,952
1,698
5,411
100
76.0
10.7
4.8
0.5
2.9
1.2
3.9
Z
0.1
0.1
Z
Z
Z
Z
Z
142,962
109,277
13,387
7,393
882
4,000
1,793
6,229
100
76.4
9.4
5.2
0.6
2.8
1.3
4.4
Z
0.1
0.1
Z
Z
Z
Z
Z
13,619
2,914
1,026
154
1,235
319
427
69.1
14.8
5.2
0.8
6.3
1.6
2.2
0.2
0.2
0.1
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
13,143
2,300
1,091
204
1,234
310
455
70.1
12.3
5.8
1.1
6.6
1.7
2.4
0.2
0.1
0.1
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
11,185
1,951
831
92
414
197
317
74.6
13.0
5.5
0.6
2.8
1.3
2.1
0.2
0.2
0.1
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
11,687
1,594
1,117
148
499
203
376
74.8
10.2
7.1
0.9
3.2
1.3
2.4
0.2
0.1
0.1
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
11,041
1,726
841
79
340
178
462
75.3
11.8
5.7
0.5
2.3
1.2
3.1
0.2
0.1
0.1
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
11,830
1,605
979
116
394
197
534
75.6
10.3
6.3
0.7
2.5
1.3
3.4
0.2
0.2
0.1
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
25,660
3,486
1,635
133
697
401
1,319
77.0
10.5
4.9
0.4
2.1
1.2
4.0
0.1
0.1
0.1
Z
Z
Z
0.1
23,507
2,985
1,539
165
605
375
1,350
77.0
9.8
5.0
0.5
2.0
1.2
4.4
0.1
0.1
0.1
Z
Z
Z
0.1
25,449
2,966
1,399
108
660
356
1,391
78.7
9.2
4.3
0.3
2.0
1.1
4.3
0.1
0.1
0.1
Z
Z
Z
Z
25,223
2,758
1,424
140
611
373
1,581
78.6
8.6
4.4
0.4
1.9
1.2
4.9
0.1
0.1
0.1
Z
Z
Z
0.1
18,092
1,808
952
56
605
246
1,495
77.8
7.8
4.1
0.2
2.6
1.1
6.4
0.1
0.1
0.1
Z
0.1
Z
0.1
23,889
2,145
1,243
109
657
336
1,932
78.8
7.1
4.1
0.4
2.2
1.1
6.4
0.1
0.1
0.1
Z
Z
Z
0.1
Z Rounds to zero.
Note: Universe: workers 16 years and older. Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimates
variability. The larger the margin of error in relation to the size of the estimates, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate,
the margin of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 and 2013 American Community Survey.
Figure 5.
87.6
87.0
87.4
87.9
85.6
85.0
85.8
86.8
87.1
85.9
Nation (2013)
82.4
80.6
79.9
80.7
81.7
80.2
77.7
79.5
80.5
79.7
76.7
91.4
90.8
90.2
90.2
88.0
90.9
90.5
89.9
89.5
88.1
Figure 6.
Automobile Commuting by Age in the Ten Cities With the Most Public Transportation
Activity: 2006 and 20131
(Percentage of workers within ten cities (combined). Universe: workers 16 years and older. Data based on sample. For
information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs/www/)
2006
2013
54
53
50
50
49
52
53
52
46
43
42
38
16 to 24
years
25 to 29
years
30 to 34
years
35 to 44
years
45 to 54
years
55 years
and older
Level of public transportation activity is based on passenger trips and passenger miles associated with the area's transit agency in 2013.
Cities include: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, DC, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Atlanta, Seattle, Baltimore. See APTA
2014 Public Transportation Fact Book at <www.apta.com/resources/statistics>.
Note: Numbers are rounded. See Appendix Table 3 for estimates and margins of error.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 and 2013 American Community Survey.
Figure 7.
Rates of Driving Alone and Carpooling by Race and Ethnicity: 2006 and 2013
(In percent. Universe: workers 16 years and older. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection,
sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs/www/)
Drove alone
65
Hispanic
Asian
19
69
15
67
14
67
13
71
Black
11
72
White
Other
2006
2013
Carpooled
9
80
80
71
71
13
11
Note: Numbers are rounded. See Appendix Table 4 for estimates and margins of error.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 and 2013 American Community Survey.
10
11
7,652
3,654
3,998
15,328
7,350
7,978
94,004
24,656
69,348
3,416
1,253
2,164
ASIAN
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lived in principal city, in metro area. . . . . .
All other community types. . . . . . . . . . . . .
BLACK
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lived in principal city, in metro area. . . . . .
All other community types. . . . . . . . . . . . .
WHITE
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lived in principal city, in metro area. . . . . .
All other community types. . . . . . . . . . . . .
OTHER
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lived in principal city, in metro area. . . . . .
All other community types. . . . . . . . . . . . .
100.0
36.7
63.3
100.0
26.2
73.8
100.0
48.0
52.1
100.0
47.8
52.2
100.0
45.0
55.0
Z
0.5
0.5
Z
0.1
0.1
Z
0.2
0.2
Z
0.3
0.3
Z
0.2
0.2
71.0
64.3
74.8
79.9
73.3
82.3
72.2
65.8
78.1
66.8
60.4
72.6
0.4
0.7
0.5
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.5
0.4
0.2
0.3
0.3
11.4
11.0
11.7
7.7
7.2
7.9
9.5
9.1
9.8
12.9
12.1
13.5
14.7
14.0
15.3
0.3
0.5
0.4
Z
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.2
Margin
Per- of error
cent
()
Margin
Per- of error
cent
)
68.9
63.9
73.1
Car, truck,
or van:
carpooled
Car, truck,
or van:
drove alone
6.4
11.8
3.2
3.1
7.1
1.7
11.0
16.9
5.5
10.9
16.0
6.1
7.7
12.4
3.8
0.2
0.5
0.2
Z
0.1
Z
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.1
Margin
Per- of error
cent
()
Public
transportation
0.9
1.5
0.5
0.6
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.4
0.3
0.6
0.8
0.3
0.7
1.0
0.5
0.1
0.2
0.1
Z
Z
Z
Z
Z
Z
Z
0.1
Z
Z
0.1
Z
Margin
Per- of error
cent
()
Bicycle
4.3
5.6
3.5
2.6
4.4
1.9
2.8
3.6
2.1
3.9
5.8
2.1
3.2
4.0
2.5
0.2
0.4
0.2
Z
0.1
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
Margin
Per- of error
cent
()
Walked
1.8
1.7
1.9
1.1
1.3
1.0
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.1
1.2
1.1
1.9
2.0
1.8
0.1
0.2
0.1
Z
Z
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
Margin
Per- of error
cent
()
Other means
4.3
4.1
4.4
5.0
5.3
4.9
2.7
2.6
2.7
3.9
3.6
4.2
2.9
2.8
3.0
0.2
0.3
0.3
Z
0.1
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
Margin
Per- of error
cent
()
Worked at
home
Note: Universe: workers 16 years and older. Race groups do not include workers who identified as Hispanic. Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of
an estimates variability. The larger the margin of error in relation to the size of the estimates, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate, the margin of error forms the 90 percent
confidence interval.
Z Rounds to zero.
22,562
10,161
12,401
HISPANIC
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lived in principal city, in metro area. . . . . .
All other community types. . . . . . . . . . . . .
PercentTotal number
age of
of workers
workers
within
within
community
type for community
type for Margin
each
each of error
group
group
(thousands)
()
(For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/guidance.html)
Table 4.
12
9.4
15.9
14.1
10.9
10.5
9.5
9.1
8.5
8.4
8.3
8.3
8.0
7.7
6.7
6.5
1,436
2,743
1,393
324
81
541
535
204
612
Percent
carpooled
13,387
1,385
395
1,492
1,576
670
Number
of workers
(thousands)
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.3
0.5
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.3
0.4
0.2
0.1
0.2
444
381
295
107
14
75
119
32
97
3,321
577
210
408
399
164
Number
Margin of workers
of error
(thousands)
()
18.2
10.3
11.4
15.7
9.8
9.9
11.2
9.7
8.9
14.7
25.2
27.2
13.3
17.1
12.4
Percent
carpooled
Hispanic workers
0.5
0.3
0.3
1.0
1.4
0.6
0.6
0.9
0.5
0.2
0.7
1.2
0.4
0.5
0.5
992
2,362
1,099
217
67
466
416
173
515
10,066
808
185
1,084
1,176
506
Number
Margin of workers
of error
(thousands)
()
7.5
8.2
7.9
6.8
8.0
7.8
7.1
6.4
6.2
8.4
12.6
9.1
10.2
9.3
8.8
Percent
carpooled
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.5
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.2
()
Margin
of error
Non-Hispanic workers
Note: Universe: workers 16 years and older. Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimates variability. The larger the margin of error in relation
to the size of the estimates, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate, the margin of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval.
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, and mining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services. . .
Manufacturing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other services, except public administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and
waste management services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Educational services, and health care and social assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retail trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wholesale trade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Armed Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Public administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Industry
All workers
(For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/guidance.html)
Table 5.
Figure 8.
Rates of Driving Alone and Carpooling by Foreign-Born Status: 2006 and 2013
(In percent. Universe: foreign-born workers 16 years and older. Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality
protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs/www/)
2006
2013
Drove alone
Carpooled
63
17
Foreign-born
65
14
78
10
Native-born
79
Note: Numbers are rounded. See Appendix Table 4 for estimates and margins of error.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 and 2013 American Community Survey.
13
14
Car, truck,
or van:
carpooled
Public
transportation
Bicycle
Walked
Other means
Worked at home
3,191
3,566
950
1,226
969
1,107
1,006
1,415
3,243
3,671
160
263
60
66
719
994
Asia
Principal city within metro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All other community types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Caribbean
Principal city within metro area . . . . . . . . . . .
All other community types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Central America
Principal city within metro area . . . . . . . . . . .
All other community types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Europe
Principal city within metro area . . . . . . . . . . .
All other community types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mexico
Principal city within metro area . . . . . . . . . . .
All other community types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
South America
Principal city within metro area . . . . . . . . . . .
All other community types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
49.9
71.2
56.3
71.0
62.6
76.7
63.2
68.0
56.1
76.8
54.3
62.5
45.3
74.9
61.0
72.2
63.1
75.8
1.2
1.0
3.8
3.3
2.0
1.3
0.6
0.6
0.8
0.6
1.2
1.0
1.0
0.8
0.5
0.5
1.4
1.2
10.4
12.6
10.5
11.9
7.1
7.4
18.6
20.9
8.2
8.7
17.3
19.7
8.7
10.9
12.6
13.9
8.0
9.3
0.7
0.7
2.7
2.0
0.9
0.9
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.4
0.9
0.9
0.6
0.6
0.3
0.4
0.7
0.8
27.7
7.0
15.5
4.8
11.8
3.1
9.1
2.9
18.4
4.3
17.1
7.6
35.2
7.0
15.1
6.0
19.0
7.4
1.1
0.5
3.6
1.5
1.4
0.5
0.4
0.2
0.7
0.3
0.8
0.5
0.9
0.5
0.3
0.2
1.1
0.7
1.0
0.4
2.4
0.9
2.4
0.7
1.0
0.6
2.3
0.5
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.2
0.7
0.3
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
1.1
0.6
0.5
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.3
0.3
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.1
0.1
5.5
2.3
7.8
2.6
5.9
2.3
3.4
2.9
6.8
2.0
4.5
3.3
5.7
2.2
5.6
2.1
4.2
2.7
0.5
0.3
1.9
0.9
0.9
0.5
0.2
0.2
0.4
0.2
0.4
0.4
0.5
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.6
0.4
1.3
1.6
1.5
3.1
2.1
1.2
2.5
2.1
1.7
1.1
2.8
3.0
1.5
1.5
1.3
1.1
2.2
1.2
0.2
0.3
0.9
1.4
0.7
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.4
0.5
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.4
0.3
4.0
4.9
6.0
5.9
8.1
8.6
2.3
2.7
6.5
6.6
2.5
3.0
3.1
3.3
3.7
4.5
3.1
3.3
Note: Universe: foreign-born workers 16 years and older. Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimates variability. The larger the margin of
error in relation to the size of the estimates, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate, the margin of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval.
536
552
0.4
0.5
1.5
1.5
1.1
0.8
0.2
0.2
0.5
0.3
0.3
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.4
0.5
Total number
Margin
of workers in
Margin
Margin
Margin
Margin
Margin
Margin
of error
group
of error
of error
of error
of error
of error
of error
(thousands) Percent
() Percent
() Percent
() Percent
() Percent
() Percent
() Percent
()
Africa
Principal city within metro area . . . . . . . . . . .
All other community types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Car, truck,
or van:
drove alone
(For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/guidance.html)
Travel Mode by Place of Birth and Community Type Among Foreign-Born Workers: 2013
Table 6.
Figure 9.
Driving Alone for Native-Born and Foreign-Born Workers by Year of Entry to the
United States and Community Type: 2013
(Percentage of workers within each group. Universe: workers 16 years and older. Data based on sample. For information on
confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs/www/)
Lived in a principal
city, in metro area
Lived outside
any metro area
82 81
76
72
71
70
66
54
42
Native-born
All foreignborn
64 63
62 62
59
50
64
59
72
63
53
44
Up to 3 years
4 to 6 years
7 to 9 years
10 to
15 years
More than
15 years
15
Figure 10.
Lived outside
any metro area
27
25
21
22
21
19
19
14
15
16
24
15
16
18
15
16
12 12
10
8
Native-born
All foreignborn
Up to 3 years
4 to 6 years
7 to 9 years
10 to
15 years
More than
15 years
16
VEHICLE AVAILABILITY
Travel choices are highly influenced
by not only a households access
to private means of transportation,
but also public infrastructure such
as roads, public transportation systems, bicycle lanes, and sidewalks.
Most U.S. workers do not have the
option of taking a subway to work,
but less obvious travel limitations
such as perceived monetary, temporal, and safety costs associated
using a particular travel mode also
influence travel decisions.
The ACS asks respondents How
many automobiles, vans, and
Figure 11.
1 vehicle
2 vehicles
3 or more vehicles
43
42
41
39
38
36
32
29
24
22
19
18
9
4
2
All workers
Inside principal
city, in metro area
Note: Numbers are rounded. See Appendix Table 6 for estimates and margins of error.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 American Community Survey.
Figure 12.
Workers With No Available Vehicle by Age and City Residence: 2006 and 2013
(Percentage of workers. Universe: workers in households 16 years and older who did not have access to a vehicle at home.
Data based on sample. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions,
see www.census.gov/acs/www/)
Lived in a principal city,
in metro area (2006)
11.2
10.2
8.5
8.8
8.6
9.7
10.2
8.9
8.5 8.5
7.4
2.9 2.9
2.1 2.3
All workers
3.1 3.0
2.4 2.7
7.3 7.4
1.7
2.1
2.0 2.2
7.8
1.7 1.9
55 years
and older
17
Table 7.
2013
Workers
(thousands)
Percentage of
workers
Margin
of error ()
Workers
(thousands)
Percentage of
workers
Margin
of error ()
5,742
1,004
810
2,399
147
871
298
214
100.0
17.5
14.1
41.8
2.6
15.2
5.2
3.7
Z
0.3
0.3
0.4
0.1
0.3
0.2
0.1
6,351
1,326
731
2,602
202
919
307
264
100.0
20.9
11.5
41.0
3.2
14.5
4.8
4.2
Z
0.3
0.2
0.4
0.1
0.3
0.2
0.2
3,407
477
588
1,331
106
576
199
130
100.0
14.0
17.3
39.1
3.1
16.9
5.8
3.8
Z
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.2
0.4
0.3
0.2
3,387
614
487
1,283
120
553
191
138
100.0
18.1
14.4
37.9
3.5
16.3
5.6
4.1
Z
0.4
0.3
0.4
0.2
0.4
0.3
0.2
1,925
437
204
876
37
230
78
64
100.0
22.7
10.6
45.5
1.9
11.9
4.0
3.3
Z
0.5
0.5
0.6
0.2
0.4
0.3
0.2
2,256
559
214
980
65
265
89
84
100.0
24.8
9.5
43.4
2.9
11.7
3.9
3.7
Z
0.5
0.3
0.6
0.2
0.4
0.2
0.2
410
90
17
192
4
65
21
21
100.0
22.0
4.1
46.8
1.1
15.8
5.2
5.0
Z
0.9
0.5
1.4
0.3
0.9
0.5
0.6
708
152
30
339
17
101
28
41
100.0
21.5
4.2
47.8
2.4
14.3
3.9
5.8
Z
0.7
0.4
1.1
0.3
0.7
0.4
0.5
Z Rounds to zero.
Note: Universe: workers in households 16 years and older who did not have access to a vehicle at home. Data are based on a sample and are subject to
sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimates variability. The larger the margin of error in relation to the size of the estimates, the less reliable
the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate, the margin of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 and 2013 American Community Survey.
18
32
See American Community Survey Table
B08014, 2013 American Community Survey
on American Factfinder at <www.Factfinder2
.census.gov>.
33
Adie Tomer and Robert Puentes, Transit
Access and Zero-Vehicle Households, Brookings Institution, Washington, DC, 2011.
CONCLUSION
Commuting is only one aspect of
daily travel, but serves as a critical
indicator of changing travel behavior across populations and places.
The automobile continues to
dominate work-related travel, but
the rate of automobile commuting
has stabilized in recent years after
decades of increase. Since 1980,
carpooling has captured a declining
share of workers commutes, while
the rate of driving alone increased
until 2010, and then changed little
thereafter.
Disaggregating the working population reveals differences in commuting patterns across population
subgroups. For example, younger
workers, those under the age of
35, show lower rates of automobile
commuting and sharper declines
in automobile commuting in recent
years than their older counterparts.
The sharpest declines in rates of
driving are associated with workers between the ages of 25 to 29,
particularly those living in cities
where there are more transportation options and more potential for
variation in travel mode. The extent
to which todays young workers will
retain their travel habits as they
age will be an important determinant of future travel patterns.
Regardless of age, workers living
in cities showed sharper declines
19
20
SOURCE OF
THE ESTIMATES
The American Community Survey
(ACS) is a nationwide survey
designed to provide communities
with reliable and timely demographic, social, economic, and
housing data for congressional
districts, counties, places, and
other localities every year. It has
an annual sample size of about 3.5
million addresses across the United
States and Puerto Rico and includes
both housing units and group quarters. The ACS is conducted in every
county throughout the nation, and
every municipio in Puerto Rico,
where it is called the Puerto Rico
Community Survey. Beginning in
2006, ACS data for 2005 were
released for geographic areas with
populations of 65,000 and greater.
For information on the ACS sample
design and other topics, visit
<www.census.gov/acs/www>.
ACCURACY OF
THE ESTIMATES
The estimates presented in this
report are primarily based on the
ACS sample interviewed during
2013. The report also includes
several estimates from the 2006
ACS for comparison. The estimates
based on this sample approximate
the actual values and represent
the entire U.S. resident household
and group quarters populations.
SUGGESTED CITATION
McKenzie, Brian, Who Drives to
Work? Commuting by Automobile
in the United States, 2013,
American Community Survey
Reports, ACS-32, U.S. Census
Bureau, Washington, DC, 2015.
Appendix Table 1.
Commuting by Automobile by Community Type and Travel Mode: 2006 and 2013
(For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
/guidance.html)
Community type and
travel mode
LIVED IN PRINCIPAL CITY, IN METRO AREA
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LIVED OUTSIDE PRINCIPAL CITY,
IN METRO AREA
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LIVED OUTSIDE ANY METRO AREA
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2006
2013
Workers
(thousands)
Percentage of
workers
Margin of
error ()
Workers
(thousands)
Percentage of
workers
Margin of
error ()
44,059
35,247
30,453
4,795
8,812
100.0
80.0
69.1
10.9
20.0
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
47,074
36,851
32,409
4,442
10,223
100.0
78.3
68.8
9.4
21.7
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
72,410
64,966
57,533
7,433
7,444
100.0
89.7
79.5
10.3
10.3
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
76,827
68,560
61,586
6,974
8,267
100.0
89.2
80.2
9.1
10.8
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
21,796
19,685
17,060
2,624
2,112
100.0
90.3
78.3
12.0
9.7
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
19,062
17,253
15,283
1,970
1,808
100.0
90.5
80.2
10.3
9.5
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
Z Rounds to zero.
Note: Universe: workers 16 years and older. Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimates
variability. The larger the margin of error in relation to the size of the estimates, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate,
the margin of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval. This table corresponds to Figure 4.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 and 2013 American Community Survey.
21
Appendix Table 2.
Commuting Mode by Community Type, Age, and Travel Mode: 2006 and 2013Con.
(For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
/guidance.html)
2006
Type of community, age,
and travel mode
2013
Percentage of
all workers
within group
Margin
of error
()
Number of
workers
(thousands)
80.0
69.1
10.9
20.0
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
36,851
32,409
4,442
10,223
78.3
68.8
9.4
21.7
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
5,073
4,103
970
1,613
75.9
61.4
14.5
24.1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
4,953
4,164
789
1,781
73.6
61.8
11.7
26.4
0.3
0.4
0.2
0.3
25 to 29 years
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,404
3,723
681
1,059
80.6
68.1
12.5
19.4
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
4,953
4,343
610
1,507
76.7
67.2
9.4
23.3
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.3
30 to 34 years
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,236
3,616
620
1,069
79.9
68.2
11.7
20.1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
4,638
4,067
572
1,329
77.7
68.1
9.6
22.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
35 to 44 years
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8,490
7,394
1,096
2,026
80.7
70.3
10.4
19.3
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
7,942
6,950
992
2,047
79.5
69.6
9.9
20.5
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.3
45 to 54 years
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7,628
6,742
886
1,706
81.7
72.2
9.5
18.3
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
7,495
6,654
841
1,814
80.5
71.5
9.0
19.5
0.2
0.3
0.2
0.2
5,416
4,874
542
1,339
80.2
72.2
8.0
19.8
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.3
6,869
6,231
638
1,745
79.7
72.3
7.4
20.3
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.2
Number
of workers
(thousands)
Percentage of
all workers
within group
Margin
of error
35,247
30,453
4,795
8,812
16 to 24 years
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
()
22
Appendix Table 2.
Commuting Mode by Community Type, Age, and Travel Mode: 2006 and 2013Con.
(For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
/guidance.html)
2006
Type of community, age,
and travel mode
2013
Percentage of
all workers
within group
Margin
of error
()
Number of
workers
(thousands)
89.9
79.2
10.7
10.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
85,813
76,869
8,945
10,076
89.5
80.2
9.3
10.5
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
11,460
9,516
1,944
1,549
88.1
73.1
14.9
11.9
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.1
10,490
8,979
1,511
1,514
87.4
74.8
12.6
12.6
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
25 to 29 years
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8,732
7,462
1,270
793
91.7
78.3
13.3
8.3
0.1
0.3
0.2
0.1
8,327
7,344
984
836
90.9
80.1
10.7
9.1
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
30 to 34 years
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8,531
7,425
1,106
831
91.1
79.3
11.8
8.9
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
8,796
7,763
1,033
890
90.8
80.1
10.7
9.2
0.2
0.3
0.2
0.2
35 to 44 years
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20,656
18,266
2,390
2,158
90.5
80.1
10.5
9.5
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
18,549
16,556
1,993
1,988
90.3
80.6
9.7
9.7
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.1
45 to 54 years
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20,788
18,707
2,080
2,209
90.4
81.3
9.0
9.6
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
20,486
18,569
1,917
2,315
89.8
81.4
8.4
10.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
14,484
13,218
1,266
2,016
87.8
80.1
7.7
12.2
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.1
19,165
17,658
1,507
2,533
88.3
81.4
6.9
11.7
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
Number
of workers
(thousands)
Percentage of
all workers
within group
Margin
of error
84,651
74,594
10,057
9,556
16 to 24 years
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
()
Note: Universe: workers 16 years and older. Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimates
variability. The larger the margin of error in relation to size of the estimates, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate,
the margin of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval. Estimates in this table correspond to Figure 5.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 and 2013 American Community Survey.
23
Appendix Table 3.
Automobile Commuting by Age and Travel Mode (2006 and 2013) in Ten Cities With the
Most Public Transportation Activity: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, DC,
Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Atlanta, Seattle, Baltimore1
(For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads
/data_documentation/ Accuracy/ACS_Accuracy_of_Data_2013.pdf)
2006
2013
Margin of
error ()
Workers within
ten cities
(thousands)
Percent
within
ten cities
Margin of
error ()
100.0
50.9
42.5
8.4
49.1
Z
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.3
9,481
4,533
3,870
662
4,949
100.0
47.8
40.8
7.0
52.2
Z
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.3
1,065
451
350
101
614
100.0
42.4
32.9
9.5
57.6
Z
0.9
0.8
0.5
0.9
1,032
397
325
73
635
100.0
38.5
31.4
7.0
61.5
Z
0.8
0.8
0.5
0.8
25 TO 29 YEARS
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,078
529
433
96
549
100.0
49.1
40.2
8.9
50.9
Z
0.8
0.8
0.5
0.8
1,454
618
531
87
836
100.0
42.5
36.5
6.0
57.5
Z
0.7
0.7
0.3
0.7
30 TO 34 YEARS
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,197
593
497
96
604
100.0
49.6
41.5
8.0
50.4
Z
0.7
0.7
0.5
0.7
1,356
619
537
82
736
100.0
45.7
39.6
6.1
54.3
Z
0.9
0.8
0.4
0.9
35 TO 44 YEARS
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,298
1,213
1,030
183
1,085
100.0
52.8
44.8
8.0
47.2
Z
0.6
0.6
0.3
0.6
2,136
1,078
920
158
1,057
100.0
50.5
43.1
7.4
49.5
Z
0.6
0.6
0.3
0.6
45 TO 54 YEARS
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,850
1,000
842
159
850
100.0
54.1
45.5
8.6
45.9
Z
0.6
0.7
0.4
0.6
1,847
965
821
143
883
100.0
52.2
44.5
7.8
47.8
Z
0.6
0.5
0.3
0.6
1,337
709
601
108
628
100.0
53.0
45.0
8.1
47.0
Z
0.7
0.7
0.4
0.7
1,656
855
736
119
801
100.0
51.6
44.4
7.2
48.4
Z
0.5
0.5
0.3
0.5
Workers within
ten cities
(thousands)
Percent
within
ten cities
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8,826
4,496
3,753
743
4,330
16 TO 24 YEARS
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Z Rounds to zero.
1
Level of public transportation activity is based on passenger trips and passenger miles associated with the areas transit agency in 2013. Cities include:
New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, DC, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Atlanta, Seattle, Baltimore. See APTA 2014 Public Transportation Fact
Book at <www.apta.com/resources/statistics>.
Note: Universe: workers 16 years and older. Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimates
variability. The larger the margin of error in relation to size of the estimates, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate, the
margin of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval. Estimates in this table correspond to Figure 6.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 and 2013 American Community Survey.
24
Appendix Table 4.
Commuting by Automobile by Foreign-Born Status and Travel Mode: 2006 and 2013
(For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
/guidance.html)
2006
Nativity status
and travel mode
2013
Total
workers Percentage
(thousands) of workers
Margin of
error ()
Total
workers Percentage
(thousands) of workers
Margin of
error ()
FOREIGN-BORN WORKERS
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21,589
17,299
13,565
3,734
4,290
100.0
80.1
62.8
17.3
19.9
Z
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
23,695
18,900
15,488
3,412
4,796
100.0
79.8
65.4
14.4
20.2
Z
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.1
NATIVE-BORN WORKERS
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automobile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drove alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carpooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
116,677
102,599
91,481
11,118
14,078
100.0
87.9
78.4
9.5
12.1
Z
Z
0.1
0.1
0.0
119,267
103,765
93,790
9,975
15,502
100.0
87.0
78.6
8.4
13.0
Z
Z
0.1
0.1
Z
Z Rounds to zero.
Note: Universe: workers 16 years and older. Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimates
variability. The larger the margin of error in relation to the size of the estimates, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate,
the margin of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval. This table corresponds to Figure 8.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 and 2013 American Community Survey.
25
Appendix Table 5.
Total workers
(thousands)
Percentage of
workers
Margin
of error ()
26,061
2,970
71.9
8.2
0.1
0.1
53,057
5,226
81.8
8.1
0.1
0.1
14,671
1,779
80.9
9.8
0.2
0.1
6,347
1,473
58.6
13.6
0.3
0.2
8,529
1,748
71.4
14.6
0.3
0.2
612
192
66.3
20.8
0.9
0.8
352
133
42.1
15.9
1.1
0.8
354
137
54.3
21.0
1.4
1.1
32
20
44.2
26.9
3.0
3.2
407
125
49.8
15.3
1.2
0.9
430
130
61.8
18.7
1.1
1.0
39
14
62.4
22.3
3.1
3.0
511
160
52.6
16.5
1.1
0.9
617
182
64.4
19.0
1.1
0.8
51
20
62.5
25.3
3.1
2.6
26
Appendix Table 5.
Total workers
(thousands)
Percentage of
workers
Margin
of error ()
1,390
350
58.6
14.8
0.6
0.4
1,830
425
69.9
16.2
0.5
0.5
134
50
64.0
23.9
2.0
1.9
3,687
704
63.1
12.1
0.4
0.3
5,297
874
75.5
12.5
0.3
0.2
355
87
71.6
17.6
1.2
1.1
Note: Universe: workers 16 years and older. Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimates
variability. The larger the margin of error in relation to the size of the estimates, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate,
the margin of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval. This table corresponds to Figures 9 and 10.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 American Community Survey.
27
Appendix Table 6.
Percentage of
workers
Margin of
error ()
ALL WORKERS
No vehicles available. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 vehicle available. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 vehicles available. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 or more vehicles available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6,351
30,598
58,852
45,789
4.5
21.6
41.6
32.3
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
4,131
13,241
18,020
11,046
8.9
28.5
38.8
23.8
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.2
1,721
13,836
33,136
27,610
2.3
18.1
43.4
36.2
Z
0.1
0.1
0.1
499
3,521
7,695
7,133
2.6
18.7
40.8
37.8
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.3
Community type
Z Rounds to zero.
Note: Universe: workers 16 years and older in households. Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure
of an estimates variability. The larger the margin of error in relation to the size of the estimates, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from
the estimate, the margin of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval. This table corresponds to Figure 11.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 American Community Survey.
Appendix Table 7.
Number of Vehicles Available at Home by Community Type and Age: 2006 and 2013
(For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, and definitions, see www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
/guidance.html)
2006
Community type and age
2013
Total workers
(thousands)
Percentage of
workers
Margin of
error ()
Total workers
(thousands)
Percentage of
workers
Margin of
error ()
576
555
517
898
686
495
9.3
10.2
9.8
8.6
7.4
7.4
0.2
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
596
723
605
848
723
636
9.6
11.3
10.2
8.5
7.8
7.4
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.2
373
290
228
452
390
282
3.0
3.1
2.4
2.0
1.7
1.7
0.1
0.1
0.1
Z
Z
Z
353
270
265
441
470
420
3.1
3.0
2.7
2.2
2.1
1.9
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
Z
Z Rounds to zero.
Note: Universe: workers 16 years and older in households. Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of
an estimates variability. The larger the margin of error in relation to the size of the estimates, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the
estimate, the margin of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval. This table corresponds to Figure 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 and 2013 American Community Survey.
28