
Counties with the worst commutes in California
Commuting easily ranks as one of the least enjoyable parts of a person's day. Commuters encounter more physical health problems, and low-income commuters are less likely to gain financial stability—among a host of other negative impacts. And yet, America's commutes keep getting longer as people move farther away from the office, according to census data.
Stacker compiled a list of counties with the worst commutes in California using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by longest average commute time in 2020. Think you have a long trip to work? Read on to compare it against the worst commutes statewide.
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#58. Mono County
- Average Commute Time: 15.6 minutes
--- 14.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 3.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 10.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 9.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (55.0%), carpooled (13.3%), walked to work (5.5%), public transportation (15.9%), worked from home (7.7%)
#57. Del Norte County
- Average Commute Time: 15.6 minutes
--- 14.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 3.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 3.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.4%), carpooled (14.2%), walked to work (4.3%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (6.2%)
#56. Inyo County
- Average Commute Time: 17.1 minutes
--- 12.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 3.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 18.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 11.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (69.2%), carpooled (13.7%), walked to work (6.2%), public transportation (0.8%), worked from home (4.9%)
#55. Siskiyou County
- Average Commute Time: 18.4 minutes
--- 11.4 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 4.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.1%), carpooled (8.5%), walked to work (4.3%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (9.4%)
#54. Humboldt County
- Average Commute Time: 18.9 minutes
--- 10.9 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 9.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 1.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (70.5%), carpooled (10.9%), walked to work (6.2%), public transportation (1.7%), worked from home (8.5%)
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#53. Plumas County
- Average Commute Time: 19.4 minutes
--- 10.4 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 18.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 6.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.6%), carpooled (7.9%), walked to work (4.3%), public transportation (0.8%), worked from home (6.3%)
#52. Modoc County
- Average Commute Time: 19.6 minutes
--- 10.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 8.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.3%), carpooled (4.8%), walked to work (4.7%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (15.2%)
#51. Santa Barbara County
- Average Commute Time: 20.6 minutes
--- 9.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 6.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (68.1%), carpooled (13.1%), walked to work (3.9%), public transportation (2.9%), worked from home (8.0%)
#50. Mendocino County
- Average Commute Time: 20.7 minutes
--- 9.1 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 6.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (73.4%), carpooled (10.0%), walked to work (6.1%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (9.2%)
#49. Lassen County
- Average Commute Time: 21.1 minutes
--- 8.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 23.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 6.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.7%), carpooled (10.3%), walked to work (2.2%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (6.2%)
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#48. Butte County
- Average Commute Time: 21.3 minutes
--- 8.5 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 9.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.8%), carpooled (10.2%), walked to work (2.9%), public transportation (1.1%), worked from home (7.5%)
#47. Shasta County
- Average Commute Time: 21.4 minutes
--- 8.4 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 6.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.0%), carpooled (8.6%), walked to work (2.1%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (6.2%)
#46. San Luis Obispo County
- Average Commute Time: 22 minutes
--- 7.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 10.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 9.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (72.6%), carpooled (10.1%), walked to work (4.7%), public transportation (1.0%), worked from home (9.0%)
#45. Tulare County
- Average Commute Time: 22 minutes
--- 7.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 22.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 15.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.8%), carpooled (13.4%), walked to work (1.4%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (4.3%)
#44. Imperial County
- Average Commute Time: 22.1 minutes
--- 7.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 22.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 7.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.7%), carpooled (8.8%), walked to work (2.8%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (5.9%)
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#43. Kings County
- Average Commute Time: 23.2 minutes
--- 6.6 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 25.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 24.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.4%), carpooled (13.7%), walked to work (1.8%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (5.1%)
#42. Fresno County
- Average Commute Time: 23.3 minutes
--- 6.5 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 8.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.3%), carpooled (11.9%), walked to work (1.5%), public transportation (0.9%), worked from home (5.6%)
#41. Kern County
- Average Commute Time: 23.6 minutes
--- 6.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 20.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 6.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.1%), carpooled (12.2%), walked to work (1.1%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (4.5%)
#40. Glenn County
- Average Commute Time: 23.7 minutes
--- 6.1 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 21.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 30.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.1%), carpooled (11.4%), walked to work (3.0%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (6.2%)
#39. Alpine County
- Average Commute Time: 23.7 minutes
--- 6.1 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 12.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (52.0%), carpooled (10.1%), walked to work (2.8%), public transportation (1.0%), worked from home (34.2%)
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#38. Monterey County
- Average Commute Time: 24 minutes
--- 5.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 11.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (71.4%), carpooled (11.0%), walked to work (2.6%), public transportation (1.3%), worked from home (6.0%)
#37. Yolo County
- Average Commute Time: 24.3 minutes
--- 5.5 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 35.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (67.6%), carpooled (9.0%), walked to work (2.2%), public transportation (4.2%), worked from home (9.5%)
#36. Tehama County
- Average Commute Time: 24.4 minutes
--- 5.4 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 21.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 25.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.5%), carpooled (9.8%), walked to work (1.8%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (5.4%)
#35. Nevada County
- Average Commute Time: 24.7 minutes
--- 5.1 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 10.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 22.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (72.2%), carpooled (6.6%), walked to work (2.6%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (16.2%)
#34. Trinity County
- Average Commute Time: 24.7 minutes
--- 5.1 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 18.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 10.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (69.5%), carpooled (7.6%), walked to work (2.0%), public transportation (1.5%), worked from home (16.0%)
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#33. Colusa County
- Average Commute Time: 25.3 minutes
--- 4.5 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 11.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 28.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 31.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.9%), carpooled (12.5%), walked to work (1.5%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (4.6%)
#32. Napa County
- Average Commute Time: 25.4 minutes
--- 4.4 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 21.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.9%), carpooled (10.5%), walked to work (3.5%), public transportation (1.4%), worked from home (7.3%)
#31. Sonoma County
- Average Commute Time: 25.6 minutes
--- 4.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 14.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.2%), carpooled (10.4%), walked to work (2.5%), public transportation (1.6%), worked from home (9.1%)
#30. San Diego County
- Average Commute Time: 26.5 minutes
--- 3.3 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 1.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (73.9%), carpooled (8.7%), walked to work (2.9%), public transportation (2.6%), worked from home (9.6%)
#29. Ventura County
- Average Commute Time: 26.9 minutes
--- 2.9 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 20.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.7%), carpooled (10.2%), walked to work (1.6%), public transportation (1.0%), worked from home (8.3%)
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#28. Santa Cruz County
- Average Commute Time: 27.5 minutes
--- 2.3 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 10.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 21.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (68.1%), carpooled (8.6%), walked to work (4.9%), public transportation (2.2%), worked from home (10.9%)
#27. Placer County
- Average Commute Time: 27.6 minutes
--- 2.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 34.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.1%), carpooled (6.5%), walked to work (1.1%), public transportation (1.0%), worked from home (13.0%)
#26. Sierra County
- Average Commute Time: 27.6 minutes
--- 2.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 14.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 18.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 29.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.8%), carpooled (5.0%), walked to work (1.4%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (13.5%)
#25. Orange County
- Average Commute Time: 28 minutes
--- 1.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 14.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.1%), carpooled (9.5%), walked to work (1.8%), public transportation (1.8%), worked from home (9.0%)
#24. Sacramento County
- Average Commute Time: 28.1 minutes
--- 1.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 19.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.9%), carpooled (9.9%), walked to work (1.8%), public transportation (2.2%), worked from home (9.0%)
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#23. Tuolumne County
- Average Commute Time: 28.1 minutes
--- 1.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 14.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 16.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.4%), carpooled (8.3%), walked to work (2.7%), public transportation (0.5%), worked from home (6.8%)
#22. Madera County
- Average Commute Time: 28.5 minutes
--- 1.3 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 11.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 26.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 36.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.7%), carpooled (14.0%), walked to work (1.9%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (4.9%)
#21. Sutter County
- Average Commute Time: 28.7 minutes
--- 1.1 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 22.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 44.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.2%), carpooled (12.1%), walked to work (1.2%), public transportation (1.0%), worked from home (6.3%)
#20. El Dorado County
- Average Commute Time: 28.9 minutes
--- 0.9 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 36.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.0%), carpooled (7.9%), walked to work (1.6%), public transportation (1.1%), worked from home (11.6%)
#19. Merced County
- Average Commute Time: 28.9 minutes
--- 0.9 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 15.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 26.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 29.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.3%), carpooled (9.0%), walked to work (2.4%), public transportation (0.9%), worked from home (3.8%)
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#18. Santa Clara County
- Average Commute Time: 29.2 minutes
--- 0.6 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 9.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 12.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (71.0%), carpooled (10.2%), walked to work (2.1%), public transportation (4.0%), worked from home (9.7%)
#17. San Mateo County
- Average Commute Time: 29.4 minutes
--- 0.4 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 9.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 40.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (65.0%), carpooled (9.9%), walked to work (2.4%), public transportation (10.1%), worked from home (9.5%)
#16. Yuba County
- Average Commute Time: 30.3 minutes
--- 0.5 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 11.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 23.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 55.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.9%), carpooled (11.6%), walked to work (1.4%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (5.3%)
#15. Stanislaus County
- Average Commute Time: 30.6 minutes
--- 0.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 14.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 22.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 26.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.6%), carpooled (10.4%), walked to work (1.3%), public transportation (0.8%), worked from home (5.6%)
#14. Amador County
- Average Commute Time: 30.6 minutes
--- 0.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 14.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 20.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 31.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.2%), carpooled (7.5%), walked to work (1.9%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (9.6%)
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#13. Lake County
- Average Commute Time: 30.6 minutes
--- 0.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 15.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 18.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 24.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (69.6%), carpooled (11.2%), walked to work (2.5%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (14.9%)
#12. Mariposa County
- Average Commute Time: 31 minutes
--- 1.2 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 18.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 22.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (61.0%), carpooled (14.5%), walked to work (11.8%), public transportation (1.5%), worked from home (8.5%)
#11. Los Angeles County
- Average Commute Time: 31.7 minutes
--- 1.9 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 14.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 7.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (72.1%), carpooled (9.5%), walked to work (2.6%), public transportation (5.4%), worked from home (8.0%)
#10. Marin County
- Average Commute Time: 31.8 minutes
--- 2.0 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 16.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 8.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 33.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (62.5%), carpooled (7.5%), walked to work (3.2%), public transportation (7.9%), worked from home (16.8%)
#9. San Bernardino County
- Average Commute Time: 32.3 minutes
--- 2.5 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 16.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 23.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 27.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.4%), carpooled (11.2%), walked to work (1.6%), public transportation (1.3%), worked from home (6.2%)
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#8. Solano County
- Average Commute Time: 33.2 minutes
--- 3.4 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 18.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 22.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 41.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (75.9%), carpooled (12.7%), walked to work (1.2%), public transportation (2.7%), worked from home (6.4%)
#7. San Francisco
- Average Commute Time: 33.3 minutes
--- 3.5 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 14.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 5.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 20.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (30.5%), carpooled (6.8%), walked to work (11.7%), public transportation (31.6%), worked from home (11.8%)
#6. Riverside County
- Average Commute Time: 34.1 minutes
--- 4.3 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 19.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 24.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 28.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.9%), carpooled (11.7%), walked to work (1.3%), public transportation (1.1%), worked from home (6.3%)
#5. Alameda County
- Average Commute Time: 34.2 minutes
--- 4.4 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 18.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 10.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 34.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (58.5%), carpooled (9.5%), walked to work (3.3%), public transportation (14.3%), worked from home (11.0%)
#4. San Joaquin County
- Average Commute Time: 35.2 minutes
--- 5.4 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 21.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 23.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 28.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.6%), carpooled (12.2%), walked to work (1.3%), public transportation (1.6%), worked from home (5.2%)
#3. San Benito County
- Average Commute Time: 36.3 minutes
--- 6.5 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 24.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 24.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 54.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.7%), carpooled (13.3%), walked to work (1.1%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (5.5%)
#2. Contra Costa County
- Average Commute Time: 38.5 minutes
--- 8.7 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 25.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 16.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 40.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (65.7%), carpooled (10.7%), walked to work (1.6%), public transportation (10.3%), worked from home (9.9%)
#1. Calaveras County
- Average Commute Time: 38.7 minutes
--- 8.9 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 23.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 46.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.0%), carpooled (10.3%), walked to work (1.4%), public transportation (0.8%), worked from home (10.8%)