Counties with the worst commutes in Minnesota

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July 17, 2023
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Counties with the worst commutes in Minnesota

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 Bureau data.

Stacker compiled a list of counties with the worst commutes in Minnesota, using 2021 data from the Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by longest average commute time in 2021 among workers over the age of 16, excluding those who work from home. Think you have a long trip to work? Read on to compare it against the worst commutes statewide.

#49. Renville County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 20.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 34.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.4%
--- Carpooled: 5.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 2.7%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.6%
--- Worked from home: 9%

#49. Swift County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 20.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 30.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.7%
--- Carpooled: 8.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 5.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.7%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 6.3%

#48. Yellow Medicine County

- Average commute to work: 21 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 40.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.2%
--- Carpooled: 7.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 2.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 8.6%

#47. Stearns County

- Average commute to work: 21.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 19.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.2%
--- Carpooled: 7.7%
--- Public transportation: 1.3%
--- Walked: 4.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 7%

#46. Otter Tail County

- Average commute to work: 21.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 17.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.6%
--- Carpooled: 8.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.9%
--- Walked: 3.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 8.9%

#45. Pope County

- Average commute to work: 21.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.2%
--- Carpooled: 9.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 8.3%

#44. Watonwan County

- Average commute to work: 21.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 34.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79%
--- Carpooled: 8.3%
--- Public transportation: 1.7%
--- Walked: 7.1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 3.5%

#43. Wadena County

- Average commute to work: 21.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 35.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.2%
--- Carpooled: 10.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 2.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 8.9%

#41. Carlton County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 22.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 36.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.3%
--- Carpooled: 8.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 2.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 6.2%

#41. Waseca County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 22.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 47.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.8%
--- Carpooled: 9.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 2.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.4%
--- Worked from home: 5.4%

#39. Becker County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 22.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 17.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.8%
--- Carpooled: 8%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 3%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.4%
--- Worked from home: 10.2%

#39. Crow Wing County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 22.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 14.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.8%
--- Carpooled: 9.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 1.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 8.1%

#37. Benton County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 22.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 65.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.2%
--- Carpooled: 7.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.8%
--- Walked: 2.3%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 6.1%

#37. McLeod County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 22.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 30.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.8%
--- Carpooled: 5.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 2.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.7%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 5.8%

#35. Houston County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 23 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 10.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.1%
--- Carpooled: 7.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 8.2%

#35. Lake County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 23 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 25.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.9%
--- Carpooled: 8.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 4.4%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 10.3%

#34. Hennepin County

- Average commute to work: 23.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 16.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 66.6%
--- Carpooled: 6.8%
--- Public transportation: 5.5%
--- Walked: 3.1%
--- Bicycle: 1.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 15.3%

#32. Grant County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 23.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 42.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.9%
--- Carpooled: 5%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 4.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 12.5%

#32. Rice County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 23.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 31.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 69.9%
--- Carpooled: 8.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 3.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 16%

#31. Ramsey County

- Average commute to work: 23.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 41%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 67.3%
--- Carpooled: 9.6%
--- Public transportation: 5.8%
--- Walked: 2.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.8%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 12.7%

#28. Cass County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 23.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 42.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 73.4%
--- Carpooled: 10.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 3.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.6%
--- Worked from home: 9.6%

#28. Goodhue County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 23.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 35.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.4%
--- Carpooled: 7.1%
--- Public transportation: 1.3%
--- Walked: 2.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 7.3%

#28. Lincoln County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 23.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 32.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 68.4%
--- Carpooled: 11%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 3.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.2%
--- Worked from home: 15.9%

#27. Itasca County

- Average commute to work: 23.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 15.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78%
--- Carpooled: 10.1%
--- Public transportation: 1.1%
--- Walked: 2.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 6.9%

#26. Meeker County

- Average commute to work: 24.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 46.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.1%
--- Carpooled: 8.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 2.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 6.5%

#24. Red Lake County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 24.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 48.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 73.8%
--- Carpooled: 11.2%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 5.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 8.2%

#24. Todd County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 24.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 44.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.7%
--- Carpooled: 9.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 3.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.9%
--- Worked from home: 9.3%

#23. Norman County

- Average commute to work: 24.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 22%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.2%
--- Carpooled: 9.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 5.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 6.2%

#22. Wabasha County

- Average commute to work: 24.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 47.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75%
--- Carpooled: 9%
--- Public transportation: 1.6%
--- Walked: 4%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 9.2%

#21. Marshall County

- Average commute to work: 24.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 35.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.8%
--- Carpooled: 8.6%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 2.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.4%
--- Worked from home: 11.5%

#19. Dakota County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 24.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 46.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.2%
--- Carpooled: 7.5%
--- Public transportation: 2.6%
--- Walked: 1.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 12.4%

#19. Hubbard County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 24.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 39.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.5%
--- Carpooled: 9.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 2.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 10.2%

#18. Dodge County

- Average commute to work: 25.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 57%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77%
--- Carpooled: 10.2%
--- Public transportation: 1.2%
--- Walked: 1.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 9.3%

#16. Clearwater County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 25.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 37.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.9%
--- Carpooled: 9.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 5.2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 7.4%

#16. Sibley County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 25.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 52.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.2%
--- Carpooled: 5%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 2.4%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 9.7%

#15. Washington County

- Average commute to work: 25.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 52.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.2%
--- Carpooled: 6.7%
--- Public transportation: 1.5%
--- Walked: 0.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 14.6%

#14. Scott County

- Average commute to work: 26 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 54.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.2%
--- Carpooled: 7%
--- Public transportation: 1.4%
--- Walked: 0.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 12.5%

#13. Le Sueur County

- Average commute to work: 26.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 60.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.5%
--- Carpooled: 7.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 3%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.2%
--- Worked from home: 6.8%

#12. Fillmore County

- Average commute to work: 26.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 42%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 73.6%
--- Carpooled: 9.6%
--- Public transportation: 1.4%
--- Walked: 4.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 9.4%

#11. Carver County

- Average commute to work: 26.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 51.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75%
--- Carpooled: 5.6%
--- Public transportation: 1.2%
--- Walked: 1.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 15.7%

#10. Anoka County

- Average commute to work: 26.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 53.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.3%
--- Carpooled: 6.9%
--- Public transportation: 2.2%
--- Walked: 0.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 10.7%

#9. Morrison County

- Average commute to work: 27.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 39.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.6%
--- Carpooled: 9.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 3.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 6.8%

#8. Aitkin County

- Average commute to work: 28.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 32.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78%
--- Carpooled: 8.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 9.2%

#7. Kanabec County

- Average commute to work: 29.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 17%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 48.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.1%
--- Carpooled: 10.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 3.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 6%

#6. Wright County

- Average commute to work: 30.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 52.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.2%
--- Carpooled: 7%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 1%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.4%
--- Worked from home: 9.7%

#5. Mille Lacs County

- Average commute to work: 30.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 15%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 47.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.6%
--- Carpooled: 10.3%
--- Public transportation: 1.3%
--- Walked: 2.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 7.6%

#4. Pine County

- Average commute to work: 31.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 17.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 40.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.7%
--- Carpooled: 10.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 2.1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 8.3%

#3. Sherburne County

- Average commute to work: 31.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 63.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.4%
--- Carpooled: 8.8%
--- Public transportation: 1.3%
--- Walked: 0.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 8.7%

#2. Chisago County

- Average commute to work: 32.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 15%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 57.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79%
--- Carpooled: 8.2%
--- Public transportation: 1.3%
--- Walked: 1%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 9.3%

#1. Isanti County

- Average commute to work: 33.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 19.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 56.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.7%
--- Carpooled: 7.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 7.8%

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