People working from home became younger, more diverse, better educated and more likely to move during the worst part of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
In many respects, the demographic makeup of people working from home from 2019 to 2021 became more like workers who were commuting, while the share of the U.S. labor force working from home went from 5.7% in 2019 to 17.9% in 2021, as restrictions were implemented to help slow the spread of the virus, according to a report released last week based on American Community Survey data.
Lindsay Garfield, finance director at SquareFoot, which helps companies find office space, works from home March 11, 2020, in New York.
“The increase in homebased workers corresponded with a decline in drivers, carpoolers, transit riders and most other types of commuters,” the report said.
The share of people working from home between ages 25 and 34 jumped from 16% to 23% from 2019 to 2021. The share of home-based workers who are Black went from 7.8% to 9.5%, and it went from 5.7% to 9.6% for Asian workers. It remained flat for Hispanic workers, the report said.
The share of home-based workers with a college degree also jumped from just over half to more than two-thirds, and people working from home were more likely to have moved in the past year than commuters.
The two industry groups that saw the greatest jumps in people working from home were in information, where it went from 10.4% to 42%, and finance, insurance and real estate, going from 10.8% to 38.4%. Professional and administrative services, also went from 12.6% to 36.5%.
The smallest gains were in agriculture and mining; entertainment and food services; and armed forces.
Your rate of happiness rises with your rate of income, but there are exceptions to the rule. Yair Ben-Dor has more.
While every income level saw jumps in people working from home, those in the highest income bracket were most likely to work from home. While it doubled from 2019 to 2021 for workers in the lowest income bracket, it tripled for those in the highest, the report said.
Home-based work also varied by region. By 2021, it was more prevalent in the West and Northeast, making up about a fifth of the workforce, compared to 16.2% in the South and 15.8% in the Midwest. The variation may have been caused by the availability of Internet access, the cluster of information technology jobs on the coasts and the way people commute, whether by car or public transportation, the report said.
The tech-heavy San Francisco and San Jose metro areas had more than a third of their labor force working from home in 2021 — the largest share among metros with more than 1 million residents.
Since most pandemic restrictions have been lifted since the 2021 survey was taken, it is unknown at this point if the growth in work-from-home is permanent.
“If only temporarily, the COVID-19 pandemic generated a massive shift in the way people in the United States related to their workplace location,” the report said. “With the centrality of work and commuting in American life, the widespread adoption of home-based work was a defining feature of the pandemic era.”
The 10 best compact desks for a small home office
Tangkula White Corner Desk
Updated
If you don’t have a designated home office, a corner desk can be a great way to optimize your small space and keep your work station out of the way. This sleek corner desk from Tangkula has two big drawers and a lower shelf for extra storage.
SAFAVIEH Kamy 2-Shelf Leaning Desk
Updated
This Overstock find from SAFAVIEH is a great West Elm dupe at half the price. A ladder desk is great for small spaces where a traditional desk might feel too bulky, and this model provides some much needed vertical storage.
ReadyNow Folding Tray Desk
Updated
If you’re working from a tiny apartment, you might not have the space for a permanent work station. That’s where this folding tray desk from Wayfair comes in. Once you’re done with your day, you can fold it away to save space.
Tangkula Wall-Mounted Desk
Updated
A wall-mounted desk is another great option for tiny spaces. This desk from Tangkula folds away when not in use. There are also several convenient built-in storage shelves.
Dekhaoxe Adjustable Height Mobile Computer Desk
Updated
If your home office is also your living room, bedroom and kitchen, you might want a mobile workstation that allows you to quickly move from room to room. This adjustable mobile desk on wheels provides the perfect small space solution.
West Elm x Pottery Barn Teen Mini Desk
Updated
Coming in at just 36 inches long, this mini desk from Pottery Barn Teen is good for more than just finishing homework. The West Elm collaboration has a striking mid-century design while being compact enough for small home offices.
Homary Mid-century Secretary Desk
Updated
If you need a compact desk with ample storage space, try this mid-century-style secretary desk from Homary. It comes in at under 30 inches long so you can squeeze it into tiny spaces.
Utopia Alley White Floating Desk
Updated
If you need a wall-mounted desk with a ton of storage space, try this folding option from Home Depot. The table folds down to reveal a full-sized bookshelf where you can store all of your work-from-home office supplies.
Costway Writing Desk
Updated
If you prefer a classic look, this Mission-style writing desk from Costway is an affordable and compact option. The extra storage drawers will help you keep your workspace tidy.
Oglethorpe Floating Desk
This sleek and modern floating desk from Wayfair saves you floorspace and avoids looking too bulky in a smaller space. The large drawers also provide storage space for your laptop, keyboard, or planner.
Whether you’re pivoting after a round of layoffs or you’re not willing to give up the work-life balance working from home provides, these webs…
