Who Comprises the Remote Workforce of Mecklenburg County?

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, thousands of workers were directed to work from home. The change was abrupt. And at the time, there was no way to predict how long remote work would stick around.

To this day, there is much uncertainty about the future of remote work. What we do know, however, is the work-from-home shift has made a lasting impact on our communities. According to the American Community Survey, the number of people working from home across the nation more than doubled, from 9 million in 2019, to 22 million in 2023. In Mecklenburg County alone, the number almost tripled, from 62,143 in 2019, to 184,542 in 2023. 

We know, however, that not all jobs can be done from home. This has led to a divide between those who work remotely and those who can’t. This split has important implications for transportation planning, economic development, quality of life, and the general well-being of those whose jobs make them more vulnerable to pandemics and other hazards. 

Because of the increased prevalence of remote work, the American Community Survey has, since 2023, been able to better track the characteristics of people who work from home. 

Of the five most populous counties in our region, Mecklenburg County has by far the highest percentage of workers aged 16 and older who worked from home, at 29%. The percentage of those working from home tripled between 2019 and 2023, while, at least, doubling in some of the metro’s surrounding counties.