U.S. Census reveals Washington State’s mega-commutes
The U.S. Census Bureau refers to anyone who commutes at least 90 minutes and 50 miles to work as a “mega-commuter”. A study released by the bureau found that nearly 600,000 road-hardened Americans qualify for the designation – about one in 122 full-time workers. These brave souls spend a horrific amount of time each day trapped in a car, train or bus to make their daily dollar.
WNYC News used the report’s findings to create an interactive map detailing the nation’s average commute times by zip-code. Washington State’s grueling mega-commute starting points are detailed below.
98224 (Baring, WA)
Average Commute: 60.8 minutes
+/- 22.7 minutes
98220 (Acme, WA)
Average Commute: 50.3 minutes
+/- 14 minutes
98340 (Hansville, WA)
Average Commute: 46 minutes
+/- 8.6 minutes
98349 (Lakebay, WA)
Average Commute: 47.7 minutes
+/- 3.6 minutes
98560 (Matlock, WA)
Average Commute: 51 minutes
+/- 22.3 minutes
98621 (Grays River, WA)
Average Commute: 47.3 minutes
+/- 13.6 minutes
98814 (Carlton, WA)
Average Commute: 53.6 minutes
+/- 52.4 minutes
99018 (Latah, WA)
Average Commute: 46.4 minutes
+/- 15.2 minutes
In keeping with the national trend Washington’s longest commutes begin in less-populated communities and move towards larger metropolitan areas. Bearing in mind the average one-way daily commute in the U.S. is 25.5 minutes the commute times listed above are horrendous to say the least.
The U.S. Census Bureau found that mega commuters were more likely to be male (75.4 percent), older, married, make a higher salary and have a spouse who does not work. Perhaps least surprising, they were also more likely to leave for work prior to 6 a.m.
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