The Evolution of WFH: A Decade of Changing Work Habits in America’s Top Metros
Key Takeaways:
- The total number of remote workers in the U.S. stood at more than 22 million in 2023 after tripling throughout the last decade.
- Austin, TX, is currently the metro area with the highest share of remote workers at almost one-quarter of its total workforce.
- The WFH movement with the most impressive growth trajectory in the last 10 years was seen in Omaha, NE: a 366% growth.
- 20 of 109 U.S. metros continued their adoption of the remote work model even post-pandemic. The vast majority of them are mid-sized metros, led by Lancaster, PA.
The concept of remote work shifted significantly in the last decade, going from a perk usually reserved for freelancers and entrepreneurs to a widespread reality for millions of Americans. Clearly, the work-from-home (WFH) concept has reshaped the way businesses operate and leverage a global talent pool, as well as the way employees balance their professional and personal lives. And, while the WFH revolution has certainly been driven by advances in technology and shifting views of the workplace, there’s no denying that the global COVID-19 pandemic was the ultimate catalyst that turned remote work from an added benefit to a non-negotiable for many employers and employees alike.
As such, we leveraged the most recent Census Bureau data on the evolution of WFH in 109 U.S. metro areas to determine which had experienced the most significant changes in the last 10 years. We also looked at the metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) that currently host the highest shares of remote workers, as well as those that are still seeing increases in the number of teleworkers even in the aftermath of the pandemic and the many return-to-office mandates.
Telework Triples in Last Decade to Surpass 22 Million Remote Workers in 2023
The widespread availability of remote jobs is easily noticeable in the high number of teleworkers in 2023, at precisely 22,486,510. This represents a 244% increase since 2014, when only 6,542,582 workers were remote — a growth that happened gradually throughout the last decade. Back then, only a small fraction (4.5%) of workers held remote positions, but that share saw a natural growth (to 5.7%) right before the pandemic in a sign that remote work was already beginning to become a popular solution to many pain points in the work field.
As expected, the total portion of remote workers surged to a significant 17.9% in 2021, which represented the peak of the WFH movement in the U.S. in a time when businesses were embracing remote work as a way to navigate the pandemic.
As of 2023, the share of teleworkers across the nation decreased to 13.8% of the total employed population with most metros registering post-pandemic drops in their numbers of remote workers. This is largely attributed to the reopening of many in-person businesses and the ones focused on manual labor, as well as the policies requiring a return to office full-time issued by many giant companies, like Amazon, Boeing, JP Morgan Chase and UPS.
Austin, Raleigh & Denver Lead U.S. Remote Work Revolution, with Highest % of Teleworkers in 2023
Across the nation, eight metros employ more than one-fifth of their working population remotely and only 13 stand below the 10% threshold. However, professionals have the highest chances of securing a remote position in Austin, TX, where nearly one-quarter of the working population operated under a remote/hybrid model in 2023.
Notably, Austin’s major shift toward remote work can be largely attributed to its primary industries — like business and financial services or information technology and telecommunications — both known for offering positions that can be easily performed remotely. At the same time, Austin boasts a strong economy, great quality of life and plenty of enticing job opportunities, all of which attract professionals from all around the country.
Next, in the runner-up position with 24.5% of its workforce being remote, Raleigh, NC, is a prime spot for professionals who are looking for a thriving career while also skipping tedious commutes and balancing their personal lives. As part of the Research Triangle, Raleigh employs many residents in tech-, science- and research-related fields; professional and business services; and education and health — all industries that enable remote work.
Not far behind, Denver, CO, also caters to its workers with a 22.3% share engaged in remote positions. Boosted by a strong economy, strategic location, scenic surroundings, and a plethora of engaging activities meant to support the much sought-after work/life balance, Denver employs many professionals in remote-friendly fields, like broadcast and telecommunications; technology; and financial services.
Then, the Washington, D.C. metro area comes in fourth in terms of WFH adoption with a share of 21.9% of remote workers registered at the end of 2023. Although, D.C. was among the most remote-friendly metros in the nation with almost one-third of its workforce telecommuting at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, that share dropped significantly in the last two years, albeit still standing well above the national rate.
In particular, federal government agencies were known for supporting the WFH movement during the pandemic. That said, many of them — along with other industries in the area (like research and professional services or technology and finance) — have recently issued return-to-office policies.
Meanwhile, another North Carolina metro reinforces the state’s wide adoption of remote work practices with Charlotte coming in fourth place in this ranking. Specifically, 21.5% of the workers in Charlotte were remote in 2023. This is likely due to the metro’s prominent industries — like banking, financial services, health and technology — that employ teleworkers, either on a fully remote or hybrid basis.
On the opposite coast, Portland, OR, comes in sixth nationally with 21.2% of remote workers in 2023. Here, the Portland metro employed a healthy share of teleworkers even in 2014 (6.4%), which, back then, placed it in seventh nationally. And, despite a notable 23% drop between 2023 and 2021, Portland still makes it easy for remote professionals to balance their careers with a healthy personal life, all while benefitting from a great quality of life and booming industries, like health services and high tech.
Staying on the West Coast, San Francisco, CA, continues to embrace the WFH model even post-pandemic, given that 20.5% of its workforce was remote in 2023. Granted, that share stood at a significant 35.1% in 2021. However, the metro began its decade-long journey of remote work adoption with a solid 6.2% of teleworkers back in 2014, which then placed it in the ninth spot nationally. Moreover, despite heavily relying on its manufacturing industry (which is not the first to come to mind when thinking of remote opportunities), the metro is likely to compensate through other sectors, like electronics and biotechnology.
In Washington state, 20.3% of Seattle’s workforce engaged in remote positions in 2023, underscoring the metro’s healthy adoption of WFH practices. It’s worth noting here that Seattle’s share of teleworkers surpassed the 30% mark at the peak of the pandemic in 2021, when many major employers in the area, like Amazon, allowed their workers to operate either in a fully remote or hybrid manner. But, that changed in recent years. Even so, and possibly due to the fact that the most common job in Seattle is a software developer (widely known as a remote-friendly position), the metro still landed in eighth place in terms of WFH adoption. Seattle has also recently been named one of the most affordable cities for remote workers, which can also contribute to its overall appeal.
Tying for the ninth position, Tampa, FL, and Durham, NC, both logged a 19.5% share of remote workers in 2023, despite being fairly far apart percentage-wise during the epitome of the pandemic with 21.1% in Tampa and almost 30% in Durham. However, both of these metros started with a strong adoption of the WFH model even in 2014, coming in 11th and 14th places, respectively. In Tampa, the metro’s vibrant lifestyle and solid economy drive remote workers, entrepreneurs and businesses alike. At the same time, Durham — as part of the Research Triangle — is a hotspot for innovation and enticing career opportunities. And, that’s on top of being the only mid-sized metro among the top 10.
Rounding out the top 10 metros with the most remote workers is Phoenix, AZ, where 19.4% of the working population engaged in remote jobs in 2023. Unlike other metros, Phoenix’s adoption of WFH has not deterred much from its 2021 peak, when it stood at 23.4%. Plus, in 2014, the metro had a 6.1% share of teleworkers, which was one of the highest in the nation. Phoenix’s leading industries — such as business, education, health and finance — paired with its strong economy and scenic landscapes make it an ideal location for remote workers and businesses embracing WFH.
Most Drastic Surges in WFH Adoption of Last Decade Witnessed in Omaha, NE, Akron, OH & Harrisburg, PA
While the state of the WFH movement in 2023 highlights its current popularity, we also looked at the metro areas where remote work increased the most in the last decade. This allows us to paint a clear picture of which areas are the most open to the shifting narrative of the modern workspace and likely to further fuel the adoption of remote work.
Nationally, the increase from 4.5 remote workers in 2014 to 13.8% in 2023 accounts for an impressive 207% growth. It’s worth noting that the most remarkable boosts in remote work adoption were seen in mid-sized areas, instead of bustling metros, like NYC or LA. This can be attributed to one of many factors, such as:
- Mid-sized metro areas usually have a mix of large companies with offices across the country (which operate under unwavering policies) and small businesses (which are likely to set their own work models).
- These types of areas can also represent the choice of many remote workers, including freelancers and digital nomads, who, given their flexible positions, are able to relocate to smaller, more affordable places with better quality of life.
- Some of these metros had relatively small shares of remote workers in 2014, so their post-pandemic growth accounts for larger percentages than other previously remote-friendly locations, even if their current levels are not as high.
With that in mind, Omaha, NE, was the U.S. metro with the absolute highest increase in WFH between 2014 and 2023 — more precisely, a 366% growth rate. However, Omaha didn’t start out with a high share of remote workers a decade ago. So, while the change is certainly drastic, that still only puts the metro at a 13.5% remote workforce in 2023. Yet, the significant surge in WFH adoption puts Omaha at the forefront of this trend — even ahead of larger and more populated metro areas.
Next, another mid-sized metro takes the second spot in terms of WFH growth is Akron, OH. In this case, Akron’s change between 2014 and 2023 accounted for a whopping 363%. As of last year, 14.8% of Akron’s workers were remote, which is only a slight drop from the peak-pandemic levels of 15.4% and shows that WFH might prove to be literally at home in Akron.
Likewise, in Harrisburg, PA, the share of remote workers grew by a significant 347% in the last decade to put the metro at a healthy 17% for teleworkers in 2023, which was above the national rate. What’s more, Harrisburg’s remote workforce stood at the same levels in 2023 as it did in 2022, even amidst changes enforced by the many return-to-office policies, which could possibly signal the stabilization of the WFH trend in this area.
Then, with a similar increase in the last decade, Detroit’s remote workforce grew by 345% since 2014, when only 3.1% of the total employed population had this flexibility. Now, 13.8% of professionals in Detroit work either fully remotely or on a hybrid schedule. Granted, despite clearly embracing the WFH trend, the metro’s evolution did suffer in recent years after nearly one-fifth of its residents were employed in remote jobs at the peak of the pandemic in 2021.
Coming in fifth in terms of remote work growth is none other than the nation’s capital. The Washington, D.C area is not only one of the leading metros in 2023, but also one that had an impressive evolution in WFH adoption: only 5.1% of D.C.’s workers held remote-friendly positions a decade ago, but that share increased by 329% by 2023.
Of course, during the pandemic years, D.C. had one of the largest shares of remote workers in the country — a notable one-third of its workforce — which decreased in the last couple of years to rest at 21.9% now. Even so, given the metro’s vibrant work scene and economy (paired with the high number of businesses), it’s safe to say that Washington, D.C.’s remote-friendliness is likely to stand the test of time.
Other metropolitan areas with high surges in WFH levels in the last decade are: Huntsville, AL (326%); Charlotte, NC (322%); Baltimore, MD (308%); Milwaukee, WI (303%); Richmond, VA and Indianapolis, IN (tying at 295%).
WFH Remains Resilient in Mid-Sized Metro Areas: Growth Continues Post-Pandemic in 20 MSAs
Despite remote work dwindling after the peak pandemic years (especially in 2023 versus 2022), some metro areas have not only held onto their newly found flexibility, but also increased the share of remote workers. For instance, of the 20 MSAs where this trend was noticed, 16 are medium-sized metro areas, led by Lancaster, PA, with a 17% growth in WFH rates from 2022 to 2023. Here, professionals can benefit from a quaint, small-town feel, while also benefiting from the big-city perks brought by its close proximity to Philadelphia.
Lancaster was followed by Cape Coral, FL, where the WFH movement grew by 13% in the span of one year — and another Florida representative, Lakeland, which had a 12% increase in remote work adoption from 2022 to 2023. While not widely known for their business scenes, it’s likely that, given the flexibility that WFH entails, more remote workers chose to settle in locations across the Sunshine State due to favorable living conditions, ideal weather and proximity to booming cities. Furthermore, Florida’s lack of personal income tax is also a factor for many entrepreneurs and remote workers alike.
Of the 20 metro areas that continued to embrace the remote work culture even in the midst of the return-to-office policies and general post-pandemic work scene, only four are considered large MSAs. More specifically, Virginia Beach, VA (6%), Tulsa, OK (5%), Jacksonville, FL (2%), and Riverside, CA (1%), kept on the upward trajectory in terms of WFH by claiming more remote workers in 2023 compared to 2022.
Other metros where remote work is thriving even post-pandemic are: Toledo, OH (10%); Greenville, SC (9%); Little Rock, AR (9%); Charleston, SC (8%); Jackson, MS (7%); Reno, NV (4%); Baton Rouge, LA (4%); McAllen, TX (3%); Columbia, SC (3%); Huntsville, AL (2%); Knoxville, TN (2%); and New Haven, CT (1%).
Find here more in-depth information about the profile of the U.S. remote worker, including insights into demographics, education, income, and more.
Methodology
To compile this report, we analyzed 109 metropolitan areas with a population of over 500,000, with a complete set of data.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau:
- Population: ACS 1-year estimates
- Percentage of the working population engaged in WFH / Remote work: 1-year estimates for 2014-2023
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