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City of AdelaideCommunity profile

City of Adelaide

Method of travel to work

On Census day 2021 in the City of Adelaide, 34.6% of people travelled to work in a private car, 12.4% took public transport and 26.8% rode a bike or walked. 12.9% worked at home.

The City of Adelaide's commuting statistics reveal the main modes of transport by which residents get to work. There are a number of reasons why people use different modes of transport to get to work including the availability of affordable and effective public transport options, the number of motor vehicles available within a household, and the distance travelled to work.

Commuting data is very useful in transport planning as it informs decision-makers about the availability, effectiveness and utilisation of local transport options, particularly when analysed with Residents Place of Work data and Car Ownership.

WARNING: Method of travel to work relates to Census day, which for the 2021 Census occurred during COVID-19 lockdowns for large parts of Australia. In lockdown, many occupations were required to work from home if possible, and some industries were closed, so people did not go to work. For this reason, these categories may have increased, with corresponding declines in other methods of travel. Use the data with caution when comparing over time. For more details, please refer to the data notes.

Q:

Derived from the Census question:

'How did the person get to work on Tuesday, 10 August 2021?'

Method of travel to work
City of Adelaide - Employed persons (Usual residence)20212016Change
Main method of travelNumber%Greater Adelaide %Number%Greater Adelaide %2016 to 2021
Train1140.91.31131.22.3+1
Bus1,1929.44.58148.85.7+378
Tram2672.10.31731.90.5+94
Ferry0--0.00--0.00
Taxi/ride-share1160.90.3330.40.2+83
Car - as driver3,95831.363.33,25335.166.0+705
Car - as passenger4163.34.22963.24.5+120
Truck110.10.440.00.5+7
Motorbike910.70.4560.60.5+35
Bicycle3542.81.03473.71.1+7
Walked only3,04024.01.92,49126.92.2+549
Other1871.51.31421.51.4+45
Worked at home1,63712.99.84354.73.6+1,202
Did not go to work1,2209.610.81,03711.210.5+183
Not stated510.40.4830.90.8-32
Total employed persons aged 15+12,654100.0100.09,277100.0100.0+3,377
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

In 2021, there were 1,573 people who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in City of Adelaide, compared with 4,476 who drove in private vehicles (car – as driver, car – as passenger, motorbike, or truck).

Analysis of the method of travel to work of the residents in the City of Adelaide in 2021, compared to Greater Adelaide, shows that 12.4% used public transport, while 34.6% used a private vehicle, compared with 6.2% and 67.6% respectively in Greater Adelaide.

The major differences in persons between the method of travel to work of the City of Adelaide and Greater Adelaide were:

  • A larger percentage of persons who walked only (24.0% compared to 1.9%)
  • A larger percentage of persons who travelled by bus (9.4% compared to 4.5%)
  • A larger percentage of persons who worked at home (12.9% compared to 9.8%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who travelled by car (as driver) (31.3% compared to 63.3%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed people in City of Adelaide increased by 3,377 between 2016 and 2021.

The largest changes in the method of travel to work by resident population in the City of Adelaide between 2016 and 2021 were for those nominated:

  • Worked at home (+1,202 persons)
  • Car - as driver (+705 persons)
  • Walked only (+549 persons)
  • Bus (+378 persons)

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