We all know Scarborough’s roads are crowded during peak commute times, but where exactly is everyone going? 

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Labor give us a hint.* The charts below show the number of Scarborough residents whose primary job is with an out-of-town employer (top) and non-Scarborough residents whose primary job is here (bottom). (This data source does not include people who are self-employed.)

Given the rise of remote work, some of these commutes may be virtual or infrequent. Still, these numbers give us a sense of where all those cars are headed. 

In 2020, this data source tracked 9,656 Scarborough residents. Of those, fewer than 1 in 5 (1,696) worked for a business in Scarborough. About 4 out of 5 (7,960) worked for an out-of-town employer. Portland and South Portland are the most common employment sites. About 4,000 of us work for businesses in those cities. Many others travel to Westbrook, Biddeford-Saco, and Lewiston- Auburn.

The table at bottom right shows additional employer locations. Scarborough professionals work for businesses across Maine and as far away as Boston, Portsmouth, and New York City. 

Compared to residents who work in-town, those with out-of-town employers tend to earn more. In 2020, 66% of commuters earned more than $3,333 per month compared to 49% of those working in-town. 

One can also look at these statistics from the perspective of Scarborough businesses, who collectively employed 14,504 people in 2020. Of those, over 1,696 were local residents and 12,808 lived outside of Scarborough. About one-third (3,699) lived in Portland, Biddeford-Saco, and South Portland. In general, those who commute into Scarborough tend to be slightly younger and earn less than those who commute out. 

Now you have a sense of where all those cars are headed. Don’t forget to wave. 

WHERE ELSE DO WE GO?

In addition to the nearby cities shown above, Scarborough residents work for employers across the state and beyond.* This list shows the number of people whose primary employer is in:

*OntheMap.CES.census.gov, 2020 primary jobs, includes only positions covered by state unemployment insurance.