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AustraliaCommunity profile

Greater Adelaide

Method of travel to work

On Census day 2021 in Greater Adelaide, 67.6% of people travelled to work in a private car, 6.2% took public transport and 2.9% rode a bike or walked. 9.8% worked at home.

Greater 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
Greater Adelaide - Employed persons (Usual residence)20212006Change
Main method of travelNumber%Victoria %Number%Victoria %2006 to 2021
Train8,5601.32.910,9942.16.5-2,434
Bus30,3404.50.830,8885.81.1-549
Tram2,2940.30.61,1740.21.5+1,120
Ferry920.00.01200.00.0-28
Taxi/ride-share1,9460.30.21,2640.20.2+682
Car - as driver424,91863.349.9337,11663.061.3+87,801
Car - as passenger28,4634.23.529,6055.54.9-1,142
Truck2,7990.40.54,4990.81.0-1,700
Motorbike2,8040.40.23,3410.60.5-538
Bicycle6,6301.00.76,6001.21.1+30
Walked only12,8851.92.314,3582.73.5-1,474
Other8,5431.31.05,5521.01.0+2,990
Worked at home65,5109.825.717,0693.24.6+48,440
Did not go to work72,54510.811.263,56911.910.9+8,976
Not stated2,6260.40.58,6321.61.9-6,007
Total employed persons aged 15+670,955100.0100.0534,787100.0100.0+136,167
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2006 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

In 2021, there were 41,286 people who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in Greater Adelaide, compared with 458,984 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 Greater Adelaide in 2021, compared to Victoria, shows that 6.2% used public transport, while 67.6% used a private vehicle, compared with 4.3% and 53.4% respectively in Victoria.

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

  • A larger percentage of persons who travelled by car (as driver) (63.3% compared to 49.9%)
  • A larger percentage of persons who travelled by bus (4.5% compared to 0.8%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who worked at home (9.8% compared to 25.7%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who travelled by train (1.3% compared to 2.9%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed people in Greater Adelaide increased by 136,168 between 2006 and 2021.

The largest changes in the method of travel to work by resident population in Greater Adelaide between 2006 and 2021 were for those nominated:

  • Car - as driver (+87,801 persons)
  • Worked at home (+48,440 persons)
  • Did not go to work (+8,976 persons)
  • Not stated (-6,007 persons)

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