By Jim Damicis, Scarborough resident and Senior Vice President, Camoin Associates
Understanding where residents of a community work and the means they use to get there can shed light on community character and resident needs. The U.S. Census Bureau collects data on commuting patterns, including the number of residents who work from home (“remote workers”). In 2022, there were 11,779 actively employed Scarborough residents. Of these, about one in five worked from home (19.4%). Others worked outside the home. The overwhelming majority, 67%, commuted alone by vehicle. Very few, about 3%, took public transportation or walked to work.
Historical and geographic comparisons reveal some interesting trends. The first is an increase in remote workers. In 2018, just one in ten Scarborough workers (9.3%) were remote. Cumberland County and Maine have also experienced significant increases. Second, Scarborough has a higher share of remote workers than Cumberland County and Maine overall.
Many factors, including the type of industries within a region, can impact its level of remote workers. For example, healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, trucking, and public safety jobs are rarely performed at home because so many of the tasks they require must be done in-person. Jobs in professional services, information technology, finance, and insurance can more readily be performed remotely. Other factors that can impact the level of remote work in a community include the availability and type of housing, transportation, and telecommunications.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a major influence on the rise of remote work from 2018 to 2022. Many businesses and workers adjusted their processes and hiring practices. Some businesses invested in technology and shrank their real estate footprint. Since going remote, many workers and employers have settled into new ways of doing business and new lifestyles. Data for 2023 and beyond will reveal whether the remote-work trend continues and at what level. Returning to completely in-person work would require new investments and changes in work culture, so it likely will remain above pre-COVID levels.
The rise of remote work has several implications for communities in terms of resident demands and needs. Those who work at home no longer have an office or business setting for networking, socializing, and interacting with colleagues. They may seek places for these functions within their communities, such as coffee shops, libraries, and parks. Remote workers also typically require excellent broadband and cell coverage. Where they choose to live, including their home, neighborhood, and community will be influenced by the availability and quality of these amenities. Remote workers may be more available to, and interested in, volunteering and being part of community organizations. They have a constant presence in the community and therefore greater potential availability.
The Scarborough community, which contains all these amenities, is a great place to live and work remotely. As a remote worker and resident for the past ten years, I have benefited from the services, infrastructure, and places that Scarborough has to offer. It is no surprise that housing demand continues to increase as people choose to move to or remain in this wonderful community.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 and 2022 American Community Survey, five-year estimates
