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According to data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census, driving alone in a private vehicle is by far the most common mode of transportation to work in the United States and accounted for 76.4% of all commuters in 2014. The percentage of those driving to work alone increased in each decade from 1980 to 2014. Conversely, carpooling decreased in that same time frame. In 2014, 9.6% of workers carpooled, down from 19.7% in 1980. Public transit was used by 6.4% of workers in 1980 and thereafter remained at about 5%. Working at home reduces the need to travel. In 1980, 2.3% reported working at home and that number nearly doubled by 2014, likely aided by the proliferation of technology that makes telework convenient.
Means of Transportation to Work, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, 2014
Supporting Information
Means of Transportation to Work, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2014
| Means of transportation | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone | 64.4% | 73.2% | 75.7% | 76.1% | 76.4% |
| Car pool | 19.7% | 13.4% | 12.2% | 10.4% | 9.6% |
| Public transit | 6.4% | 5.3% | 4.7% | 4.9% | 5.2% |
| Worked at home | 2.3% | 3.0% | 3.3% | 4.1% | 4.4% |
| Other | 7.2% | 5.2% | 4.1% | 4.5% | 4.5% |
Note: Until the annual American Community Survey began, data on the means of transportation to work were only available once every ten years, provided by data collected during the decennial census. As of 2010, the decennial census no longer collects these data. Sources: | |||||