Counties with the worst commutes in Oregon

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July 17, 2023
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Counties with the worst commutes in Oregon

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 Oregon, 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.

#36. Harney County

- Average commute to work: 14.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 2.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 3.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 68%
--- Carpooled: 10%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 7.9%
--- Bicycle: 1.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 11%

#35. Lake County

- Average commute to work: 14.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 3.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 70.2%
--- Carpooled: 5.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 8.4%
--- Bicycle: 1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 14%

#34. Baker County

- Average commute to work: 15.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 4.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 72.9%
--- Carpooled: 9.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 6.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.7%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 8.4%

#33. Curry County

- Average commute to work: 16 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 1.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 70.4%
--- Carpooled: 7.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 4.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.8%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 16.5%

#31. Gilliam County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 16.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 14.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 70.3%
--- Carpooled: 8.6%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 10.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.7%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.2%
--- Worked from home: 9.4%

#31. Wallowa County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 16.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 1.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 67.9%
--- Carpooled: 9.9%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 6.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.2%
--- Worked from home: 13.1%

#30. Klamath County

- Average commute to work: 16.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 2.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 3.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82%
--- Carpooled: 7.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 7.1%

#29. Union County

- Average commute to work: 17.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 4.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.9%
--- Carpooled: 8.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 6%
--- Bicycle: 0.7%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 6.8%

#28. Grant County

- Average commute to work: 17.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 4.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.7%
--- Carpooled: 8.8%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 7.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.9%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 4.9%

#27. Wasco County

- Average commute to work: 17.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 18.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.2%
--- Carpooled: 8.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 6.6%

#26. Umatilla County

- Average commute to work: 18.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 8.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.3%
--- Carpooled: 10.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 1.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 4.8%

#25. Malheur County

- Average commute to work: 18.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 0.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.2%
--- Carpooled: 9.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 5.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 7.5%

#24. Jackson County

- Average commute to work: 19.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 3.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.9%
--- Carpooled: 9%
--- Public transportation: 0.9%
--- Walked: 2.6%
--- Bicycle: 1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 10.4%

#23. Tillamook County

- Average commute to work: 19.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 7.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.8%
--- Carpooled: 8.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.9%
--- Walked: 3.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.9%
--- Worked from home: 8.5%

#22. Hood River County

- Average commute to work: 19.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 9.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 62.3%
--- Carpooled: 11.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.8%
--- Walked: 8.3%
--- Bicycle: 1.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 14.8%

#19. Coos County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 19.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74%
--- Carpooled: 11.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 3.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 3.6%
--- Worked from home: 7.2%

#19. Douglas County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 19.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 5.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.5%
--- Carpooled: 12.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 7.9%

#19. Lincoln County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 19.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 71.8%
--- Carpooled: 11.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 4%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 10.5%

#18. Benton County

- Average commute to work: 19.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 21.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 62.6%
--- Carpooled: 7.5%
--- Public transportation: 2.2%
--- Walked: 7.2%
--- Bicycle: 5.9%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 13.3%

#17. Deschutes County

- Average commute to work: 20 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 4.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 70.6%
--- Carpooled: 8.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.1%
--- Bicycle: 2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 15%

#16. Josephine County

- Average commute to work: 20.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 12%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.8%
--- Carpooled: 9.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.2%
--- Bicycle: 1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 8.9%

#15. Lane County

- Average commute to work: 20.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 3.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 68.7%
--- Carpooled: 9.8%
--- Public transportation: 2.6%
--- Walked: 4.2%
--- Bicycle: 2.9%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 10.7%

#14. Morrow County

- Average commute to work: 20.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 23.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.1%
--- Carpooled: 14%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 2.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 4%

#13. Clatsop County

- Average commute to work: 20.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 4.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 72.6%
--- Carpooled: 8.1%
--- Public transportation: 1%
--- Walked: 7.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.8%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 8.2%

#12. Sherman County

- Average commute to work: 23.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 20.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 70.6%
--- Carpooled: 8%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 7.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 3.6%
--- Worked from home: 10.1%

#10. Marion County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 24.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 22.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.6%
--- Carpooled: 10.3%
--- Public transportation: 1.5%
--- Walked: 2.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.8%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 9%

#10. Wheeler County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 24.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 18%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 59%
--- Carpooled: 14.6%
--- Public transportation: 2.5%
--- Walked: 10.3%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0%
--- Worked from home: 13.6%

#9. Linn County

- Average commute to work: 24.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 33.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.3%
--- Carpooled: 9.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 7.5%

#8. Washington County

- Average commute to work: 24.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 23.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 67.8%
--- Carpooled: 8.5%
--- Public transportation: 4.8%
--- Walked: 2.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.7%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 14.9%

#7. Multnomah County

- Average commute to work: 26.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 15.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 56.6%
--- Carpooled: 8.2%
--- Public transportation: 8.8%
--- Walked: 4.6%
--- Bicycle: 4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 16.5%

#6. Yamhill County

- Average commute to work: 26.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 35.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 73.2%
--- Carpooled: 9.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 5.7%
--- Bicycle: 1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 8.6%

#5. Polk County

- Average commute to work: 27.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 52.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 73.2%
--- Carpooled: 9.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 2.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.7%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 13%

#4. Jefferson County

- Average commute to work: 28 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 30.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.8%
--- Carpooled: 15%
--- Public transportation: 0.9%
--- Walked: 2.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 5.9%

#2. Clackamas County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 28.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 44.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 72.5%
--- Carpooled: 7.9%
--- Public transportation: 2.4%
--- Walked: 2.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 13.4%

#2. Crook County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 28.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 35.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.8%
--- Carpooled: 8.3%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 9%

#1. Columbia County

- Average commute to work: 35.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 18.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 45.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.6%
--- Carpooled: 11.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 2.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 8.8%

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