The Rise of Remote Work in America

In recent years, remote work has transformed from a temporary solution to a long-term norm for many professionals across the United States. As offices begin to reopen, it appears that they may never return to the pre-pandemic occupancy levels. A pressing question remains: how many individuals are currently working from home, and from where are they doing it?

A report by CoWorking Mag sheds light on this topic by analyzing data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The findings reveal that approximately 22.5 million Americans were working primarily from home in 2023, accounting for about 13.8 percent of the overall workforce. This figure marks a significant increase from 2021 when 17.9 percent of workers were remote. Although the numbers have decreased since then, they still represent more than triple the percentage of remote workers recorded a decade ago.

Top Cities for Remote Workers

To identify the cities with the highest proportions of remote workers, researchers evaluated 109 metropolitan areas, each with populations exceeding 500,000. Among these, Austin, Texas, stands out with nearly a quarter of its workforce engaged in remote work in 2023. Raleigh, North Carolina, closely follows with 24.5 percent, while Denver accounts for 22.3 percent.

While larger metropolitan areas tend to have a greater absolute number of remote workers, it is predominantly the midsize metros—those with populations under 1 million—that have experienced the most significant increases in remote work percentages. Smaller cities often boast a lower cost of living, making them appealing choices for professionals who are no longer tied to a physical office.

Notable Increases in Remote Work

• Omaha: this city saw the most remarkable growth in remote work, jumping from 2.9 percent in 2014 to 13.5 percent in 2023.
• Akron, Ohio: here, the share of remote workers rose from 3.2 percent to 14.8 percent over the same period.

Several larger metropolitan areas also recorded significant increases in their share of remote workers over the last decade. For example, in Washington, D.C., the percentage climbed from 5.1 percent in 2014 to 21.9 percent in 2023, marking the fourth largest increase identified. Similarly, in San Francisco, the figure grew from 6.2 percent to 20.5 percent.

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