The great shift to remote work has settled into a new normal, with the share of U.S. workers primarily working from home in 2024 at 13.3%—2.3 times higher than in 2019. Hybrid work dominates, but the Census Bureau data reveals a fascinating geographic reshuffling.
Suburbs Surge, Cities Hold On
In 2022, big-city neighborhoods dominated the top WFH areas. Now, suburbs like Santa Monica (No. 1) and Berkeley/Albany (No. 22) lead. Yet urban living still appeals: many WFHers prefer city apartments over suburban basements.
The "Donut Effect"
Economic activity is shifting from city centers to peripheries. High-WFH metros like Denver, Raleigh-Durham, and Austin face challenges: Denver struggles with high commercial vacancy rates and a restaurant recession. Meanwhile, New York (with below-average WFH at 12.5%) is recapturing pre-pandemic vigor.
Winners and Losers
- Public transit lost 1.3 percentage points of commuters, devastating some urban transit systems.
- Driving alone fell 6.4 points (10.6 million people).
- Low-WFH areas are often poor or rural, with exceptions like suburban Northwest Islip (blue-collar workers).
State Splits
Coastal states have higher WFH rates. In the Mountain States, Colorado and Utah lead due to large metro areas, while Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho lag.
Bottom line: Remote work isn't about moving to a beach in Portugal—it's reshaping big metro areas, with suburbs as the chief beneficiaries.
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