Next-Gen Workforce

How Millennials are changing commuting in America

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In 2015, Millennials became the largest and most diverse generation in America

10 million 30 million 50 million 70 million 90 million 2014 2025 2035 2050 Silent Generation Gen X Boomers Millennials

Millennials are the generation that will shape our workforce for decades to come

2014 Workforce 2014 Millennials Other Generations 34% 66% 2025 Millennials Other Generations 75% 25%

Survey results suggest Millennials more often indicate a moderate or strong preference for living in car-optional locations

42% Silent Generation 44% Gen X 49% 63% Boomers Millennials

Millennials also more often indicate walkable and transit friendly neighborhoods are important to them

57% MILLENNIALS 52% ALL ADULTS PUBLIC TRANSIT IS IMPORTANT 76% MILLENNIALS 70% ALL ADULTS WALKABILITY IS IMPORTANT

As Millennials have entered the workforce, the number of bike and pedestrian commuters also has risen in 9 of the 10 biggest cities (by MSA population) in the United States

Click or tap each circle for more data

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daily bike or pedestrian commuters
2000-2012

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change walked

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b

change biked

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NEW YORK, NY PHILADELPHIA, PA CHICAGO, IL LOS ANGELES. CA HOUSTON, TX DALLAS, TX BOSTON, MA WASHINGTON, DC ATLANTA, GA MIAMI, FL

Transit ridership is also growing throughout the United States

9,805,757 total transit ridership in2005 10,749,733 total transit ridership in2014

Some businesses – particularly those who rely on young, tech savvy workers – are starting to follow their employees into places with many transportation options

City center job growth is ahead of jobs growth on peripheries

City Center Periphery 2002-07 2007-11 0% 0% 1% 1% 0.1% 1.2% 0.5% -0.1%

But as Millennials spur change in commuting and living patterns, they may easily overload busy transportation networks

Investing in multimodal transportation options for our mega regions will help businesses attract the next generation workforce that keeps the U.S. economy thriving

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“Next Gen Workforce”

Data sources:

  • Generation demographic statistics: Pew Research Center (Based on U.S. Census Bureau Population Projections)
  • Millennials in workforce: Brookings, Brookings Data Now series; UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, Maximizing Millennials in the Workplace report
  • Millennials’ car optional location preferences: America in 2015 – A ULI Survey of Views on Housing, Transportation, and Community
  • Importance of walkable/transit friendly locations to millennial generation: America in 2013 – Focus on Transportation
  • Non-motorized commute trends: US Census Bureau – American Community Survey report
  • Transit ridership trends: American Public Transportation Association, Public Transportation Fact Book
  • City center versus periphery jobs: City Observatory, City Report 2015