Issue Brief: Commuting Patterns in Southwest Florida

August 14, 2025 / RERI Research Team

Southwest Florida has seen a shift in the demographics of individuals calling the area home since the COVID-19 pandemic. Younger individuals, seeking natural amenities and economic opportunities, have increasingly made this area their home. These demographic changes intersect with longstanding structural features of the region, as Southwest Florida has long been characterized by a geographically dispersed population, limited public transit, and long transportation times.

This issue brief explores the commuting trends of employed Southwest Florida residents. Using 2022 data from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS) American Community Survey (ACS) microdata and occupational information from O*NET, we examine the region’s commuting population by age, income, race, occupation, county-level travel flows, and skills classification.[Commuting methods can take many forms, from driving one’s car or carpooling, taking public transit, walking, and everything in between. We consider those who are employed and do not work from home as commuters.

The findings highlight key disparities across demographic groups and occupational sectors, offering insights into how geographic occupation concentration, access to housing, and transportation availability impact the movement of human capital across the Southwest Florida area. Understanding these commuting patterns can help inform policy decisions related to infrastructure, housing, economic development, and regional transportation planning.

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Issue Brief: Commuting Patterns in Southwest Florida

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