Local
Area among worst in U.S. for small-town commuters
By: Kytja Weir
Examiner Staff Writer
December 10, 2008
The Washington area is the worst part of the country for small town commuters, according to a new analysis by Forbes.com — a finding that likely won’t surprise many area drivers.
The region has 28 of the worst 100 communities nationwide for commuting, the online business magazine said.
Linton Hall, Va., less than 40 miles southwest of the capital, earned the dubious honor of ranking in the top five worst small towns for commuters.
In the Prince William County community, Forbes.com said, its 21,100 residents commute an average of 46.3 minutes and more than three out of four drive to work solo.
The list featured 18 Maryland communities and 10 in Virginia in its worst 100 list.
Suburbs around Chicago earned Illinois second place behind the Washington area.
The magazine used Census Bureau statistics to find which communities with populations of 20,000 to 64,999 had the longest average commute times as reported in the American Community Survey.
The analysis found that the worst commutes among small communities occurred in areas that fringe large cities. Such areas are the bedroom communities that lure those with big-city jobs who also want affordable housing, good schools or a piece of yard.
The region has 28 of the worst 100 communities nationwide for commuting, the online business magazine said.
Linton Hall, Va., less than 40 miles southwest of the capital, earned the dubious honor of ranking in the top five worst small towns for commuters.
In the Prince William County community, Forbes.com said, its 21,100 residents commute an average of 46.3 minutes and more than three out of four drive to work solo.
The list featured 18 Maryland communities and 10 in Virginia in its worst 100 list.
Suburbs around Chicago earned Illinois second place behind the Washington area.
The magazine used Census Bureau statistics to find which communities with populations of 20,000 to 64,999 had the longest average commute times as reported in the American Community Survey.
The analysis found that the worst commutes among small communities occurred in areas that fringe large cities. Such areas are the bedroom communities that lure those with big-city jobs who also want affordable housing, good schools or a piece of yard.
