Places where people work the shortest hours

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September 24, 2018
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Places where people work the shortest hours

Whether people whistle while they work or work from home, it's safe to say that less work is better for just about everyone. In 1930, economist John Maynard Keynes speculated that the American workweek would drop all the way down to just 15 hours as the economy kept progressing. Obviously that didn't turn out to be the case, but Americans are certainly working less than they did 100 years ago. The current American average is now working slightly more than 34 hours a week. In countries like Germany and Denmark, the average workweek is significantly lower at well under 30 hours.

To get on the less-work train, take a look at this list of places where people work the shortest hours. It was created using figures from the American Community Survey conducted during the 2017 Census. Nearly 500 areas were examined, both metro and micro, and the 50 areas with the shortest weekly work hours were ranked according to their average hours worked per week with additional data points included for context.

Read on to see which Kansas metro area works as little as France at 35 hours per week and which New York college town nearly found its way to the #1 spot on the list.

ALSO: Places where people work the longest hours

#45. Prescott, AZ — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.9 (male: 38.7; female: 34.9)

Percent below national average: -5.15% (male: -6.2%; female: -3.72%)

Median yearly income: $50,041

Median monthly housing costs: $915

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services

#45. Jamestown-Dunkirk-Fredonia, NY — micro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.9 (male: 39.6; female: 33.9)

Percent below national average: -5.15% (male: -3.79%; female: -6.78%)

Median yearly income: $46,079

Median monthly housing costs: $667

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; manufacturing; retail trade

 

#45. Indiana, PA — micro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.9 (male: 40.7; female: 33)

Percent below national average: -5.15% (male: -0.98%; female: -9.7%)

Median yearly income: $46,237

Median monthly housing costs: $673

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; arts, entertainment, recreation, and accommodation and food services

 

#45. Greenfield Town, MA — micro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.9 (male: 39.4; female: 34.3)

Percent below national average: -5.15% (male: -4.31%; female: -5.54%)

Median yearly income: $58,824

Median monthly housing costs: $1,222

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; manufacturing; retail trade

 

#45. Bloomington, IL — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.9 (male: 39.5; female: 34.3)

Percent below national average: -5.15% (male: -4.05%; female: -5.54%)

Median yearly income: $65,936

Median monthly housing costs: $991

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; finance and insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing; retail trade

 

#45. Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.9 (male: 39; female: 34.7)

Percent below national average: -5.15% (male: -5.38%; female: -4.32%)

Median yearly income: $61,777

Median monthly housing costs: $1,501

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services; retail trade

 

#42. Las Cruces, NM — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.8 (male: 38.9; female: 34.6)

Percent below national average: -5.43% (male: -5.66%; female: -4.62%)

Median yearly income: $37,144

Median monthly housing costs: $664

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services; retail trade

 

#42. Elmira, NY — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.8 (male: 39.1; female: 34.4)

Percent below national average: -5.43% (male: -5.12%; female: -5.23%)

Median yearly income: $51,194

Median monthly housing costs: $819

Top industries: Data not available

 

#42. Aberdeen, WA — micro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.8 (male: 38.6; female: 34.7)

Percent below national average: -5.43% (male: -6.48%; female: -4.32%)

Median yearly income: $47,445

Median monthly housing costs: $914

Top industries: Data not available

 

#40. Pittsfield, MA — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.7 (male: 39.9; female: 33.7)

Percent below national average: -5.72% (male: -3.01%; female: -7.42%)

Median yearly income: $57,054

Median monthly housing costs: $1,090

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services; retail trade

#40. Harrisonburg, VA — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.7 (male: 40.2; female: 33.2)

Percent below national average: -5.72% (male: -2.24%; female: -9.04%)

Median yearly income: $54,681

Median monthly housing costs: $852

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; manufacturing; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services

 

#37. Springfield, MA — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.6 (male: 39.3; female: 34.1)

Percent below national average: -6.01% (male: -4.58%; female: -6.16%)

Median yearly income: $55,379

Median monthly housing costs: $1,226

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; manufacturing

 

#37. Missoula, MT — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.6 (male: 38.9; female: 34.3)

Percent below national average: -6.01% (male: -5.66%; female: -5.54%)

Median yearly income: $54,311

Median monthly housing costs: $1,173

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services; retail trade

 

#37. Boulder, CO — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.6 (male: 39; female: 33.9)

Percent below national average: -6.01% (male: -5.38%; female: -6.78%)

Median yearly income: $80,834

Median monthly housing costs: $1,534

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services; manufacturing

 

#34. Iowa City, IA — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.5 (male: 38.8; female: 34.3)

Percent below national average: -6.3% (male: -5.93%; female: -5.54%)

Median yearly income: $60,888

Median monthly housing costs: $1,136

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services

 

#34. Champaign-Urbana, IL — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.5 (male: 38.2; female: 34.7)

Percent below national average: -6.3% (male: -7.59%; female: -4.32%)

Median yearly income: $50,999

Median monthly housing costs: $951

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services

 

#34. Carbondale-Marion, IL — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.5 (male: 38.3; female: 34.6)

Percent below national average: -6.3% (male: -7.31%; female: -4.62%)

Median yearly income: $43,892

Median monthly housing costs: $717

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services

 

#30. Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.4 (male: 37.2; female: 35.4)

Percent below national average: -6.59% (male: -10.48%; female: -2.26%)

Median yearly income: $52,627

Median monthly housing costs: $1,143

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; manufacturing

 

#30. Tallahassee, FL — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.4 (male: 37.8; female: 35.1)

Percent below national average: -6.59% (male: -8.73%; female: -3.13%)

Median yearly income: $50,825

Median monthly housing costs: $922

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; public administration; professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services

 

#30. Statesboro, GA — micro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.4 (male: 38.6; female: 33.9)

Percent below national average: -6.59% (male: -6.48%; female: -6.78%)

Median yearly income: $42,138

Median monthly housing costs: $754

Top industries: Data not available

 

#30. Ogdensburg-Massena, NY — micro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.4 (male: 38.4; female: 34.1)

Percent below national average: -6.59% (male: -7.03%; female: -6.16%)

Median yearly income: $50,325

Median monthly housing costs: $705

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; public administration

 

#28. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.3 (male: 38.3; female: 33.8)

Percent below national average: -6.89% (male: -7.31%; female: -7.1%)

Median yearly income: $71,880

Median monthly housing costs: $1,714

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services; retail trade

 

#28. Muncie, IN — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.3 (male: 39.1; female: 33.5)

Percent below national average: -6.89% (male: -5.12%; female: -8.06%)

Median yearly income: $41,255

Median monthly housing costs: $623

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; manufacturing; retail trade

 

#23. State College, PA — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.2 (male: 38.2; female: 33.7)

Percent below national average: -7.18% (male: -7.59%; female: -7.42%)

Median yearly income: $55,895

Median monthly housing costs: $1,051

Top industries: dducational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services

 

#23. Marion, IN — micro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.2 (male: 39.6; female: 32.9)

Percent below national average: -7.18% (male: -3.79%; female: -10.03%)

Median yearly income: $44,768

Median monthly housing costs: $685

Top industries: Data not available

 

#23. Gainesville, FL — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.2 (male: 37.4; female: 34.9)

Percent below national average: -7.18% (male: -9.89%; female: -3.72%)

Median yearly income: $44,548

Median monthly housing costs: $820

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services

 

#23. Flagstaff, AZ — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.2 (male: 38.7; female: 33.6)

Percent below national average: -7.18% (male: -6.2%; female: -7.74%)

Median yearly income: $54,893

Median monthly housing costs: $816

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services; retail trade

 

#23. Bellingham, WA — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.2 (male: 39.3; female: 32.7)

Percent below national average: -7.18% (male: -4.58%; female: -10.7%)

Median yearly income: $61,186

Median monthly housing costs: $1,338

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; manufacturing

 

#20. Mankato-North Mankato, MN — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.1 (male: 39.1; female: 32.9)

Percent below national average: -7.48% (male: -5.12%; female: -10.03%)

Median yearly income: $61,241

Median monthly housing costs: $1,044

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; manufacturing; retail trade

 

#20. Chico, CA — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36.1 (male: 37.8; female: 34.3)

Percent below national average: -7.48% (male: -8.73%; female: -5.54%)

Median yearly income: $49,061

Median monthly housing costs: $970

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services

 

#19. Eugene, OR — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36 (male: 38; female: 33.9)

Percent below national average: -7.78% (male: -8.16%; female: -6.78%)

Median yearly income: $50,654

Median monthly housing costs: $1,115

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services

 

#19. Columbia, MO — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 36 (male: 37.9; female: 34.2)

Percent below national average: -7.78% (male: -8.44%; female: -5.85%)

Median yearly income: $51,340

Median monthly housing costs: $994

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services; retail trade

 

#16. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 35.8 (male: 38.7; female: 32.7)

Percent below national average: -8.38% (male: -6.2%; female: -10.7%)

Median yearly income: $79,705

Median monthly housing costs: $2,123

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services; retail trade

 

#16. Faribault-Northfield, MN — micro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 35.8 (male: 40.1; female: 31.1)

Percent below national average: -8.38% (male: -2.49%, female: -16.4%)

Median yearly income: $64,014

Median monthly housing costs: $1,151

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; manufacturing; retail trade

 

#16. Athens-Clarke County, GA — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 35.8 (male: 38.1; female: 33.3)

Percent below national average: -8.38% (male: -7.87%; female: -8.71%)

Median yearly income: $46,521

Median monthly housing costs: $883

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services; retail trade

 

#15. Eureka-Arcata-Fortuna, CA — micro area

Average hours worked per week: 35.7 (male: 38.7; female: 32.6)

Percent below national average: -8.68% (male: -6.2%; female: -11.04%)

Median yearly income: $46,494

Median monthly housing costs: $1,147

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services

 

#14. Bloomington, IN — metro area

Average hours worked per week: 35.3 (male: 37.8; female: 32.9)

Percent below national average: -9.92% (male: -8.73%; female: -10.03%)

Median yearly income: $49,043

Median monthly housing costs: $846

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services; manufacturing

 

#12. St. George, UT — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 35.2 (male: 38.5; female: 31.6)

Percent below national average: -10.23% (male: -6.75%; female: -14.56%)

Median yearly income: $54,842

Median monthly housing costs: $1,019

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services

 

#12. Provo-Orem, UT — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 35.2 (male: 38.9; female: 30.3)

Percent below national average: -10.23% (male: -5.66%; female: -19.47%)

Median yearly income: $70,196

Median monthly housing costs: $1,332

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services; retail trade

 

#10. Pocatello, ID — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 35.1 (male: 37.9; female: 32.1)

Percent below national average: -10.54% (male: -8.44%; female: -12.77%)

Median yearly income: $51,612

Median monthly housing costs: $790

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services

 

#10. Marquette, MI — micro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 35.1 (male: 37.3; female: 32.8)

Percent below national average: -10.54% (male: -10.19%; female: -10.37%)

Median yearly income: $49,008

Median monthly housing costs: $749

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services

 

#9. Lawrence, KS — metro area

Average hours worked per week: 35 (male: 35.9; female: 34)

Percent below national average: -10.86% (male: -14.48%; female: -6.47%)

Median yearly income: $55,646

Median monthly housing costs: $1,208

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services

 

#7. Logan, UT-ID — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 34.9 (male: 38.3; female: 30.9)

Percent below national average: -11.17% (male: -7.31%; female: -17.15%)

Median yearly income: $52,974

Median monthly housing costs: $960

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; manufacturing; professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services

 

#7. Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 34.9 (male: 36; female: 33.6)

Percent below national average: -11.17% (male: -14.17%; female: -7.74%)

Median yearly income: $52,075

Median monthly housing costs: $681

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services; manufacturing

 

#5. Mount Pleasant, MI — micro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 34.8 (male: 37.3; female: 32.3)

Percent below national average: -11.49% (male: -10.19%; female: -12.07%)

Median yearly income: $44,100

Median monthly housing costs: $724

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services; retail trade

 

#5. Ames, IA — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 34.8 (male: 36.7; female: 32.4)

Percent below national average: -11.49% (male: -11.99%; female: -11.73%)

Median yearly income: $60,351

Median monthly housing costs: $1,057

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services; retail trade

 

#3. Stillwater, OK — micro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 34.5 (male: 36.6; female: 32)

Percent below national average: -12.46% (male: -12.3%; female: -13.13%)

Median yearly income: $36,914

Median monthly housing costs: $794

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services; retail trade

 

#3. Corvallis, OR — metro area (tie)

Average hours worked per week: 34.5 (male: 36.2; female: 32.8)

Percent below national average: -12.46% (male: -13.54%; female: -10.37%)

Median yearly income: $60,260

Median monthly housing costs: $1,174

Top industries: Data not available

 

#2. Ithaca, NY — metro area

Average hours worked per week: 34.2 (male: 36.2; female: 32.1)

Percent below national average: -13.45% (male: -13.54%; female: -12.77%)

Median yearly income: $56,672

Median monthly housing costs: $1,108

Top industries: educational services, and health care and social assistance; retail trade; professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services

 

#1. Athens, OH — micro area

Average hours worked per week: 33.6 (male: 36.1; female: 30.9)

Percent below national average: -15.48% (male: -13.85%; female: -17.15%)

Median yearly income: $44,247

Median monthly housing costs: $722

Top industries: Data not available

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