What does this measure?

The number of households which do not report having a vehicle kept at the home, available for use, expressed as a percentage of all households.

Why is this important?

A vehicle makes it easier for people to work and to conduct daily business such as doctor's visits and shopping. Ready access to transportation can also make it simpler to be involved in schools, religious organizations, and other forms of civic life.

How is our county doing?

In 2013-17, about 31,200 (11%) of households in Essex County did not have access to a vehicle. This was similar to the state rate of 12% and higher than the national rate of 9%. Rates in Essex County, Massachusetts and across the country have remained steady since 2000. The rates of households without cars were highest in Lawrence (24%), Lynn (22%), and Salem (16%).

How do we compare to similar counties?

Westchester, NY had a higher rate of non-vehicle households (14%) than Essex County, while Middlesex, MA was similar to Essex. Lake, IL had a substantially lower rate than any of the comparison counties, at 5%. There was little fluctuation in rates for comparison counties since 2000.

Notes about the data

Data for this indicator is expected to be released annually in December.