Work Trip Commuting

Fast population growth in suburban communities, combined with high job growth in the City of Madison, has resulted in increased commuting to Madison from other Dane County communities as well as from outside the county. In 2000, there were almost 60,000 persons commuting to the City of Madison from other Dane County communities, according to U.S. Census data. Another 16,000 persons commuted to the City of Madison from eight adjacent counties. The figure below shows the increase in work trip commuting to the City of Madison from cities, villages, and towns in Dane County from 1970 to 2000.

“Reverse commuting” from the City of Madison has also increased, but the numbers are much smaller. Around 21,200 City of Madison residents commuted to other Dane County communities for work in 2000, compared to 13,100 in 1990. Another 2,600 Madison residents commuted to work in adjacent counties, compared to 1,500 in 1990. According to more recent 2007 American Survey (ACS) data, around 76% of City of Madison residents work in the City of Madison. In contrast, only 45% of residents in all of Dane County work in their community of residence.

The table below shows the mode of transportation to work for residents of the City of Madison and all of Dane County, according to the 2007 ACS.

The percentage of Dane County residents commuting to work who drove alone increased from 54% in 1980 to 74% in 2000, while the percentage of workers using alternative means of transportation decreased. Based on 2007 ACS data, it appears that the percentage of drive alone commuting has remained essentially unchanged since 2000. In fact, the 2007 data shows drive alone commuting decreased slightly while carpooling and bicycling increased. However, the results are within the margin of error of the data and the ACS data is not directly comparable to the 2000 Census data. There is other evidence that the continued high price of gasoline and economic downturn may be having some impact on people’s commuting. The number of carpoolers enrolled in the Madison Area TPB’s Rideshare Etc. Program increased 98% and Metro bus ridership increased 12% from 2006 to 2008. Bicycle traffic on the East Isthmus bike path increased 37% over the same two-year period.