Estimates of journey-to-work distances from census statistics

Abstract

Warnes A. M. (1972) Estimates of journey-to-work distances from census statistics, Reg. Studies 6, 315–326. Journey-to-work statistics in Britain are available from the 1921, 1951, 1961 and 1966 Censuses. They form an unparalleled source for studies of the long-term development of commuting, but have not yet been extensively used. Few techniques have been developed to exploit this source. A method is presented for estimating commuting distances from census figures which also alleviates the distortions until now associated with their method of presentation by administrative units. Results from North West England show that the mean distance increased from 2·35 to 3·54 kilometres from 1921 to 1966 at an average annual rate of 0·9 per cent. These figures are compared with other regions.