New data from the US Census Bureau reveals a significant increase in the number of Americans who spend at least 90 minutes each way traveling to and from work, a phenomenon known as “super-commuting.” The Los Angeles metropolitan area exemplifies this trend, where suburbanization and super-commuting grow hand-in-hand.
Originally developed as farming communities, many smaller cities along the northern and eastern boundaries of the Los Angeles metro area experienced a population boom in the late 20th century. Residents flocked to these areas in search of affordable housing, which had become scarce in central cities like Los Angeles.
Today, the region boasts the highest concentration of super-commuters in the nation. Palmdale, located 60 miles from Los Angeles, leads with 16.9 percent of its workforce commuting at least 90 minutes to work. Other cities in the region, such as Victorville, Apple Valley, Hesperia, and Lake Elsinore, also rank in the national top 10 for super-commuting rates. Several other cities in the area report rates more than double the national average of 2.7 percent.