Typically, on an annual basis, the U.S. Census Bureau releases commutation data, which shows commuting patterns among localities throughout the United States. Recently, I wrote blogs highlighting commuting patterns throughout the entire West Piedmont Planning District, Franklin County, and the City of Danville (see https://ridesolutions.org/west-piedmont/ and scroll to the bottom of the page). This week, however, I focus on commuting patterns for Martinsville and Henry County in 2018, the latest year for which the commuting data are available. The data obtained for this analysis was derived from the U.S. Census Bureau’s OnTheMap website, https://onthemap.ces.census.gov/.
The figure below, entitled “Martinsville/Henry County Commute Destinations, 2018” shows the top ten commute destinations of residents of the City of Martinsville and Henry County. Not surprisingly, Henry County and the City of Martinsville are both the most prominent destinations for commuters who resided in those localities. Following Henry County and the City of Martinsville, other major destinations of workers residing in Martinsville and Henry County included the City of Danville; Franklin County, the City of Roanoke; Rockingham County, NC; and Patrick County.
The following radar graph shows the distance and direction workers who resided in Henry County and the City of Martinsville, earning up to $1,250 per month, traveled in 2018. The figure shows that most commuters traveled north and east from the City and County. Many of those traveling north traveled a distance of 25 to 50 miles, which indicates that workers falling into this category were traveling north to Rocky Mount, Franklin County, and perhaps to Roanoke County. A significant share of these workers commuting northbound traveled less than 10 miles, so these workers likely commuted to the City of Martinsville or the surrounding employment centers in Henry County. Many of those employees who fell into this earnings category commuting east likely commuted to Danville and Pittsylvania County. Commuters traveled to the northeast, southeast, and southwest to a lesser extent. A total of 2,642, or 36 percent, of workers who earned up to $1,250 monthly, which equates to $15,000 per year, commuted at least 25 miles to get to work.
The following radar graph, entitled “All Jobs for $1,251 to $3,333 per month in 2018,” shows the distance and direction commuters earning $15,012 to $39,996 annually traveled for work in 2018. Like the figure above, which shows the distance and direction Martinsville/Henry County workers who earned up to $15,000 traveled, those falling into this higher income category traveled in similar directions. Most of them likely traveled north to Franklin County and the Roanoke area as well as east to Danville and Pittsylvania County.
The figure below, entitled “Top 10 Localities of Origin of Commuters to Martinsville and Henry County, 2018,” shows the top 10 localities in which commuters to the City of Martinsville and Henry County resided. As may be expected, the greatest shares of individuals who worked in the County and City also resided in the County and City (44.9% and 13.1%, respectively). Other localities which served as home to significant shares of the County’s and City’s workforces included Pittsylvania County (5.0%); Patrick County (5.0%); Franklin County (4.7%); Rockingham County, NC (3.3%); the City of Danville (3.1%); and the City of Roanoke (1.0%)
The image below, entitled “All Jobs for $1,250 per month or less in 2018,” shows the directions and distances traveled home by workers who were employed in Henry County and the City of Martinsville in 2018. The chart shows that while many in this earnings category likely traveled home to Martinsville and Henry County, many other traveled east toward Danville and Pittsylvania County. Others traveled to the northeast and to the west (likely to Pittsylvania and Patrick Counties). Additionally, 2,074 workers, representing 29.4 percent of all employees who in-commuted to Martinsville and Henry County within this income category traveled at least 25 miles one way for work. A monthly salary of up to $1,250 per month equates to $15,000 annually.
The following radar graph, entitled “All Jobs for $1,251 to $3,333 per month in 2018,” shows the directions and distances those earning $15,012 to $39,996 who were employed in the City of Martinsville and Henry County traveled home in 2018. As was the case with those earning $1,250 per month or less, many traveled east and northeast toward Danville and Pittsylvania County as well as west toward Patrick County. Additionally, 25.1 percent of workers, or 3,094, traveled at least 25 miles one way between work and home.
If you live or work in Martinsville or Henry County, or elsewhere in the West Piedmont Planning District and you are currently carpooling, using transit, teleworking, or walking or biking as part of your commute, or you plan to use one of these travel modes in the future, don’t forget to log your trips into the RIDE Solutions app, through which you will earn points toward great rewards for every trip you take or for each of your telework sessions! Simply download the RIDE Solutions app at ridesolutions.org for free today!
