Patterns of transportation usage impact environmental and transportation planning. These patterns may also reflect issues of poverty, location of employment, the availability and quality of public transit, local land use and environmental policies, or lifestyle choices of residents.

In 2017-21, white and Asian residents of Lancaster County report the highest levels of driving alone to work, 82% and 84% respectively. In comparison, 73% of African Americans, and 75% of Hispanics report driving alone to work. Both African Americans and Hispanic residents report higher rates of carpooling and public transportation compared to white and Asian residents.

In the City of Lancaster, 70% of white residents report driving along, while 11% report carpooling, 4% report taking public transportation, and 15% report other means, such as using motorcycles, bicycles, taxis or walking. By comparison, 64% of Asians, 60% of African Americans, and 67% of Hispanics report driving alone to work.

Surrounding counties report fairly similar statistics for the period, with the majority of all groups reporting that they drive alone to work and with higher percentages of African Americans and Hispanics carpooling or using public transportation than whites.

Historic and current policies and systems, from racist housing policies to employment discrimination to education systems that fail to equitably serve all populations, have prevented people of color from fully participating in our economy, locking them out of economic opportunity. This can result in less ability to afford a private vehicle. In addition, people of color tend to live in urbanized areas at higher rates, where public transit systems are more available.

The multiyear figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The bureau combined five years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Data for this indicator are expected to be released annually in December.