idc-logo
svg rectangle color
Western Sydney (LGA)Community profile

Northern Beaches Council area

Method of travel to work

reset

On Census day 2021 in Northern Beaches Council area, 35.1% of people travelled to work in a private car, 3.4% took public transport and 2.9% rode a bike or walked. 44.0% worked at home.

Northern Beaches Council area'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
Northern Beaches Council area - Employed persons (Usual residence)20212011Change
Main method of travelNumber%Western Sydney (LGA) %Number%Western Sydney (LGA) %2011 to 2021
Train4570.34.22,2631.813.1-1,806
Bus3,8632.80.916,00813.12.7-12,145
Tram90.00.00--0.0+9
Ferry2480.20.02,4672.00.0-2,219
Taxi/ride-share1210.10.13220.30.2-201
Car - as driver44,89133.040.266,76954.660.7-21,878
Car - as passenger2,9692.23.24,7103.85.3-1,741
Truck7550.60.81,0610.91.5-306
Motorbike9360.70.31,3881.10.4-452
Bicycle7490.50.21,0760.90.3-327
Walked only3,1972.31.34,0673.32.0-870
Other1,1120.80.91,9171.60.8-805
Worked at home59,95944.032.47,8746.42.9+52,085
Did not go to work16,50012.115.111,0489.08.3+5,452
Not stated4510.30.51,3771.11.8-926
Total employed persons aged 15+136,217100.0100.0122,347100.0100.0+13,870
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2011 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

In 2021, there were 4,577 people who caught public transport to work (train, bus, tram or ferry) in Northern Beaches Council area, compared with 49,551 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 Northern Beaches Council area in 2021, compared to Western Sydney (LGA), shows that 3.4% used public transport, while 35.1% used a private vehicle, compared with 5.0% and 43.4% respectively in Western Sydney (LGA).

The major differences in persons between the method of travel to work of Northern Beaches Council area and Western Sydney (LGA) were:

  • A larger percentage of persons who worked at home (44.0% compared to 32.4%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who travelled by car (as driver) (33.0% compared to 40.2%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who travelled by train (0.3% compared to 4.2%)
  • A smaller percentage of persons who did not go to work (12.1% compared to 15.1%)

Emerging groups

The number of employed people in Northern Beaches Council area increased by 13,870 between 2011 and 2021.

The largest changes in the method of travel to work by resident population in Northern Beaches Council area between 2011 and 2021 were for those nominated:

  • Worked at home (+52,085 persons)
  • Car - as driver (-21,878 persons)
  • Bus (-12,145 persons)
  • Did not go to work (+5,452 persons)

DISCLAIMER: While all due care has been taken to ensure that the content of this website is accurate and current, there may be errors or omissions in it and no legal responsibility is accepted for the information and opinions in this website.

Please view our Privacy Policy, Terms of use and Legal notices.

ABS Data and the copyright in the ABS Data remains the property of the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The copyright in the way .id has modified, transformed or reconfigured the ABS Data as published on this website remains the property of .id. ABS Data can be accessed from the Australian Bureau of Statistics at www.abs.gov.au. ABS data can be used under license - terms published on ABS website. intermediary.management@abs.gov.au if you have any queries or wish to distribute any ABS data.