The worst periods of the COVID-19 pandemic may be behind us, but one of its most significant legacies continues to shape daily life in New Hampshire: the way people work.
Remote jobs, commuting habits, and even housing markets have evolved dramatically in just a few years, fundamentally reshaping the state's economy. Recent U.S. Census data confirms that many pandemic-driven work patterns are not fading away but have become permanent fixtures. Here are three key insights into how work has changed in New Hampshire since the pandemic and what has remained constant.
Remote Work Is Now a Permanent Part of New Hampshire's Economy
In 2024, approximately 16% of workers aged 16 and older, or about 121,000 people, worked from home. While this is down from the pandemic peak of 19.3% in 2021, it's more than double the pre-pandemic rate of 7.3% in 2019. Remote work was already on the rise before COVID-19, growing steadily from 6.3% in 2016 to 7.3% in 2019. The share of remote workers has stabilized over the past two years, indicating that this is not a temporary trend. For many residents, working from home has become the norm, influencing decisions about housing, transportation, and child care.
Fewer Granite Staters Are Crossing State Lines for Work Than Before the Pandemic
With the rise of remote work, commuting patterns have shifted significantly. Before the pandemic, many New Hampshire residents commuted to neighboring states, especially Massachusetts. In 2019, about 15.2% of the state's workforce, or roughly 107,000 people, crossed state lines for work. From 2021 to 2024, however, this number dropped to an average of 12.9%. This change affects family routines, transportation costs, and the regional economy. Employers may find it harder to persuade workers to endure long commutes when remote opportunities are available.
Even with Fewer Commuters Crossing State Lines, Travel Times Have Not Changed Much
The average commute time was 28 minutes in 2019 and 27.5 minutes in 2024, with about one in 10 workers still spending over an hour each way. Most workers continue to rely on cars: 72% drive alone, 7% carpool, and small percentages use other modes like walking, bicycling, or public transit. While remote work is altering where people live and how far they travel, for those who still commute, the daily journey in 2024 closely resembles that of 2019. Some workers face persistent barriers, with one in 50 lacking access to a vehicle in their household in 2024.
Persistent remote work has reshaped daily life for many in New Hampshire, affecting housing choices, transportation planning, child care, and the critical need for broadband access. Understanding these changes is essential for grasping the state's economic future and the needs of its communities.
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