With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Well, Duh: Census Analysis Reveals the Majority of L.A. Commuters are Drivers
File this under Not at All Surprising: 84% of commuters in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana region drive themselves by car, truck, or van, between home and work. The data comes from an analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2009 American Community Survey, reports the Los Angeles Business. Sheesh. No wonder we wigged the eff out about Carmageddon!
Another look at the numbers by Los Angeles Business does the job of determining how many people spend how long getting between home and work:
In the LA-Long Beach-Santa Ana metro, 5,528,060 people commute to the office each day. Of those commuters, 21.15% say they drive less than 15 minutes to work; 35.09% say they drive 15 to 29 minutes to work; 24.92% say it takes 30 to 44 minutes to get to the office; and 18.84% driving for more than 45 minutes to get to work.
The rest of the region's commuters get around as follows:
- 6.2% via public transportation
- 0.86% via bicycle
- 2.63% via walking
- 1.09% via taxi, motorcycle or other means
- 4.8% work from home
Where in the U.S. do they drive more than in the greater L.A. area? That would be in Mobile, Alabama, where a staggering 95.4% of the population gets to work by car. You'll find the most public transit usage in the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, N.Y.-N.J.-Pa. area, with 30.5% of workers riding the buses and rails to get to their jobs. So who is going to move? Or get yourself moving to work in another way?
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
-
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million.
-
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it.
-
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course.
-
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits.
-
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol.