What does this measure?
The type of transportation used on a daily basis by workers over the age of 16 who commute to work, expressed as a percentage of all workers who do not work at home, by race/ethnicity.
Why is this important?
Patterns of transportation usage impact environmental and transportation planning. These patterns may also reflect issues of poverty, location of employment, the availability and quality of public transit, local land use and environmental policies, or lifestyle choices of residents.
How does our county compare?
In 2018-22, white and Asian residents of Lancaster County report the highest levels of driving alone to work, 82% and 86%, respectively. In comparison, 72% of African Americans, and 76% of Hispanics report driving alone to work. Both African Americans and Hispanic residents report higher rates of carpooling and public transportation compared to white and Asian residents.
In the City of Lancaster, 71% of white residents report driving along, while 9% report carpooling, 3% report taking public transportation, and 17% report other means, such as using motorcycles, bicycles, taxis or walking. By comparison, 58% of African Americans, and 71% of Hispanics report driving alone to work.
Surrounding counties report fairly similar statistics for the period, with the majority of all groups reporting that they drive alone to work and with higher percentages of African Americans and Hispanics carpooling or using public transportation than whites.
Why do these disparities exist?
Historic and current policies and systems, from racist housing policies to employment discrimination to education systems that fail to equitably serve all populations, have prevented people of color from fully participating in our economy, locking them out of economic opportunity. This can result in less ability to afford a private vehicle. In addition, people of color tend to live in urbanized areas at higher rates, where public transit systems are more available.
Notes about the data
The multiyear figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The bureau combined five years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Data for this indicator are expected to be released annually in December.
| Carpooled | Drove Alone | Public transportation | Taxicab, motorcycle, bicycle, walked, or other means | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 8% | 84% | 3% | 5% | |||||||||||||||
| Lancaster County | 11% | 82% | 1%* | 6% | |||||||||||||||
| Lancaster City | 9%* | 71% | 3%** | 17% | |||||||||||||||
| Lancaster County School Districts | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lancaster County Boroughs | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lancaster County Townships | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lebanon County | 9% | 87% | 0%*** | 4% | |||||||||||||||
| York County | 8% | 89% | 0%* | 2% | |||||||||||||||
| Berks County | 7% | 88% | 1%* | 4% | |||||||||||||||
| Chester County | 6% | 89% | 2% | 4% | |||||||||||||||
| Cumberland County | 6% | 88% | 0%** | 5% | |||||||||||||||
| Dauphin County | 7% | 87% | 1%* | 5% | |||||||||||||||
Notes: Rate is percent of those who do not work at home. Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%. The Census Bureau asks people to identify their race (white, African-American, etc.) separate from their ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic). So the totals for these categories cannot be added together, as people show up in both a racial and ethnic group.
| Carpooled | Drove Alone | Public transportation | Taxicab, motorcycle, bicycle, walked, or other means | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 348,682 | 3,665,561 | 113,453 | 217,702 | |||||||||||||||
| Lancaster County | 23,553 | 174,485 | 1,318* | 12,306 | |||||||||||||||
| Lancaster City | 1,365* | 10,450 | 492** | 2,506 | |||||||||||||||
| Lancaster County School Districts | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lancaster County Boroughs | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lancaster County Townships | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lebanon County | 4,741 | 45,523 | 76*** | 2,153 | |||||||||||||||
| York County | 13,733 | 158,733 | 786* | 4,271 | |||||||||||||||
| Berks County | 10,572 | 128,188 | 1,042* | 6,054 | |||||||||||||||
| Chester County | 11,355 | 162,743 | 2,951 | 6,744 | |||||||||||||||
| Cumberland County | 5,974 | 85,674 | 429** | 4,964 | |||||||||||||||
| Dauphin County | 6,390 | 76,208 | 700* | 4,241 | |||||||||||||||
Notes: Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%. The Census Bureau asks people to identify their race (white, African-American, etc.) separate from their ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic). So the totals for these categories cannot be added together, as people show up in both a racial and ethnic group.
