Erie County, PA

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Population

272,061

0.903% decline

Median Age

40


Median Household Income

$48,007

5.15% decline

Poverty Rate

16.8%


Number of Employees

129,088

4.88% growth

Median Property Value

$143,700

3.6% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2018, Erie County, PA had a population of 272k people with a median age of 40 and a median household income of $48,007. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Erie County, PA declined from 274,541 to 272,061, a -0.903% decrease and its median household income declined from $50,614 to $48,007, a -5.15% decrease.

The population of Erie County, PA is 83.9% White Alone, 7.21% Black or African American Alone, and 4.35% Hispanic or Latino. N/A% of the people in Erie County, PA speak a non-English language, and 97.4% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Erie County, PA are Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (1,495 degrees awarded in 2017), Gannon University (1,202 degrees), and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (1,201 degrees).

The median property value in Erie County, PA is $143,700, and the homeownership rate is 65.5%. Most people in Erie County, PA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 19.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Erie County, PA is 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Erie Harbor Pierhead Lighthouse, Erie, PA

Photo by Andrej Baran

United StatesPennsylvaniaErie, PA

Economy

The economy of Erie County, PA employs 129k people. The largest industries in Erie County, PA are Health Care & Social Assistance (24,425 people), Manufacturing (17,407 people), and Retail Trade (15,028 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($80,802), Finance & Insurance ($51,513), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($50,678).

Median household income in Erie County, PA is $48,007. Males in Erie County, PA have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $52,119. The income inequality in Erie County, PA (measured using the Gini index) is 0.469, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$48,007

2018 value

± $2,624

-5.15%

1 Year Growth

± 7.21%

Households in Erie County, PA have a median annual income of $48,007, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $50,614 in 2017, which represents a -5.15% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Erie County, PA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.

$69,779

Average Male Salary

± $1,106

$52,119

Average Female Salary

± $786

In 2018, full-time male employees in Pennsylvania made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Pennsylvania by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $67,044 ± $4,236

  2. White

    $54,569 ± $688

  3. Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander

    $45,677 ± $16,041

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Pennsylvania workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.23 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Pennsylvania by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Erie County, PA is from Pennsylvania.

0.469

2018 Wage GINI

0.472

2017 Wage GINI

In 2018, the income inequality in Pennsylvania was 0.469 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.472% decline from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even.

The 2018 the GINI for Pennsylvania was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Pennsylvania in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Pennsylvania across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 109.04

  2. Census Tract 103.04

  3. Census Tract 115.07

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Erie County, PA was Census Tract 109.04 with a value of $113,935, followed by Census Tract 103.04 and Census Tract 115.07, with respective values of $99,904 and $79,490.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Erie County, PA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

16.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Erie County, PA (44.5k out of 265k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 18 - 24.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    33,118 ± 1,200

  2. Black

    6,575 ± 534

  3. Hispanic

    4,618 ± 367

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Erie County, PA is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

129k

2018 Value

± 5,442

4.88%

1 Year growth

± 5.71%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Erie County, PA grew at a rate of 4.88%, from 123k employees to 129k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Erie County, PA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (15,274 people), Sales & Related Occupations (12,011 people), and Management Occupations (11,625 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Erie County, PA.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Erie County, PA, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (15,274 people), Sales & Related Occupations (12,011 people), and Management Occupations (11,625 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Erie County, PA has an unusually high number of residents working as Healthcare Support Occupations (1.5 times higher than expected), Health Technologists & Technicians (1.4 times), and Production Occupations (1.32 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Erie County, PA, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($76,328), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($61,535), and Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations ($60,304).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

129k

2018 Value

± 5,442

4.88%

1 Year growth

± 5.71%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Erie County, PA grew at a rate of 4.88%, from 123k employees to 129k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Erie County, PA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (24,425 people), Manufacturing (17,407 people), and Retail Trade (15,028 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Erie County, PA, though some of these residents may live in Erie County, PA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Erie County, PA, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (24,425 people), Manufacturing (17,407 people), and Retail Trade (15,028 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Erie County, PA has an unusually high number of Manufacturing (1.38 times higher than expected), Health Care & Social Assistance (1.36 times), and Other Services, Except Public Administration (1.12 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Erie County, PA, by median earnings, are Utilities ($80,802), Finance & Insurance ($51,513), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($50,678).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Pennsylvania to other states, or from other states to Pennsylvania.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Mixed freight

    $88.5B

  2. Coal-n.e.c.

    $57.4B

  3. Pharmaceuticals

    $55.2B

In 2015, the top outbound Pennsylvania product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $88.5B, followed by Coal-n.e.c. ($57.4B) and Pharmaceuticals ($55.2B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Pennsylvania products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Pennsylvania state.

$671B

2020 Value

$954B

Projected 2045 Value

42.2% growth

In 2020, total outbound Pennsylvania trade was $671B. This is expected to increase 42.2% to $954B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Pennsylvania trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Pennsylvania to other states, or from other states to Pennsylvania.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. New York

    $65.4B

  2. New Jersey

    $62.6B

  3. Ohio

    $35.6B

In 2015, the top outbound Pennsylvania domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $65.4B, followed by New Jersey with $62.6B and Ohio and $35.6B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Pennsylvania shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

95.1% of the population of Erie County, PA has health coverage, with 47.5% on employee plans, 19.4% on Medicaid, 12.4% on Medicare, 14.3% on non-group plans, and 1.51% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Erie County, PA was $9,258 in 2014. This is a 4.29% increase from the previous year ($8,877).

Primary care physicians in Erie County, PA see 1258 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.53% increase from the previous year (1227 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1501 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 569 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Fayette County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (16%). Additionally, Clearfield County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39.3%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,258 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Erie County, PA see an average of 1,258 patients per year. This represents a 2.53% increase from the previous year (1,227 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Erie County, PA in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

$9,258

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$4,634

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,407

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$11,243

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Pennsylvania (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.29%, from $8,877 to $9,258.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

4.94%

Uninsured

47.5%

Employer Coverage

19.4%

Medicaid

12.4%

Medicare

14.3%

Non-Group

1.51%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Erie County, PA grew by 11.1% from 4.44% to 4.94%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Erie County, PA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Fayette County

    16% prevalence

  2. Mifflin County

    13.4% prevalence

  3. Venango County

    13.2% prevalence

Fayette County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Pennsylvania, at 16%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Pennsylvania by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Erie County, PA is home to a population of 272k people, from which 97.4% are citizens. As of 2017, 4.58% of Erie County, PA residents were born outside of the country (12.6k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Erie County, PA is composed of 228k White Alone residents (83.9%), 19.6k Black or African American Alone residents (7.21%), 11.8k Hispanic or Latino residents (4.35%), 5.72k Two or More Races residents (2.1%), 4.91k Asian Alone residents (1.8%), 791 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.291%), 768 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.282%), and 63 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.0232%).

Age

Age by Nativity

40

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.7

39

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 6.7

In 2018, the median age of all people in Erie County, PA was 40. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 40, were generally older than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 39. But people in Erie County, PA are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all Erie County, PA residents was 39.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.58%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

12.6k people

4.57%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

12.6k people

As of 2017, 4.58% of Erie County, PA residents (12.6k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Erie County, PA was 4.57%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Erie County, PA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.

Most Common Origin

  1. India

    94,480 ± 7,519 people

  2. Dominican Republic

    85,267 ± 7,145 people

  3. China

    68,580 ± 6,412 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Pennsylvania was India, the natal country of 94,480 Pennsylvania residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 85,267 and China with 68,580.

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Citizenship

97.4%

2018 Citizenship

97.6%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 97.4% of Erie County, PA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Erie County, PA was 97.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Erie County, PA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    228k ± 701

  2. Black or African American Alone

    19.6k ± 1.63k

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    11.8k ± 2.27k

In 2018, there were 11.6 times more White Alone residents (228k people) in Erie County, PA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 19.6k Black or African American Alone and 11.8k Hispanic or Latino residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Erie County, PA as a share of the total population.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    6,469 ± 852

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    3,731 ± 900

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    1,646 ± 543

Erie County, PA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.73 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2017, universities in Erie County, PA awarded 6,462 degrees. The student population of Erie County, PA is skewed towards women, with 11,089 male students and 11,994 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Erie County, PA are White (4,944 and 82.2%), followed by Asian (362 and 6.02%), Black or African American (322 and 5.36%), and Hispanic or Latino (180 and 2.99%).

The largest universities in Erie County, PA by number of degrees awarded are Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (1,495 and 23.1%), Gannon University (1,202 and 18.6%), and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (1,201 and 18.6%).

The most popular majors in Erie County, PA are Osteopathic Medicine (556 and 8.6%), Pharmacy (277 and 4.29%), and General Business Administration & Management (257 and 3.98%).

The median tuition costs in Erie County, PA are $32,570 for private four year colleges, and $10,853 and $16,977 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. Registered Nursing

    157 degrees awarded

  2. General Biological Sciences

    141 degrees awarded

  3. General Fine Studio Arts

    126 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Erie County, PA was Registered Nursing with 157 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Erie County, PA according to their major.

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

    1,495 degrees awarded

  2. Gannon University

    1,202 degrees awarded

  3. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

    1,201 degrees awarded

$10,853

Median In-State Public

$32,570

Median Private

In 2017, the Erie County, PA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with 1,495 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

2,991

Degrees Awarded to Men

3,471

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 2,991 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Erie County, PA, which is 0.862 times less than the 3,471 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Erie County, PA by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    4,944 degrees awarded

  2. Asian

    362 degrees awarded

  3. Black or African American

    322 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Erie County, PA were to White students. These 4,944 degrees mean that there were 13.7 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 362 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Erie County, PA was $143,700 in 2018, which is 0.626 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $138,700 to $143,700, a 3.6% increase. The homeownership rate in Erie County, PA is 65.5%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Erie County, PA have an average commute time of 19.2 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Erie County, PA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$143,700

2018 Median

± $5,463

$138,700

2017 Median

± $5,759

In 2018, the median property value in Erie County, PA grew to to $143,700 from the previous year's value of $138,700.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Erie County, PA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Erie County, PA the largest share of households have a property value in the $150k - $175k range.

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Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$48,007

Median Household Income

± $2,624

110k

Number of Households

± 4,898

In 2018, the median household income of the 110k households in Erie County, PA declined from $48,007 from the previous year's value of $50,614.

The following chart displays the households in Erie County, PA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Erie County, PA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Erie County, PA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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Rent vs Own

65.5%

2018 Homeownership

66.6%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 65.5% of the housing units in Erie County, PA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 66.6%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Erie County, PA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Commute Time

19.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Erie County, PA have a shorter commute time (19.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 2.11% of the workforce in Erie County, PA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Erie County, PA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    79.5%

  2. Carpooled

    10.7%

  3. Worked At Home

    3.88%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Erie County, PA was Drove Alone (79.5%), followed by those who Carpooled (10.7%) and those who Worked At Home (3.88%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Erie County, PA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Erie County, PA have 2 cars, followed by 1 car.

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