Clayton Workers Face Easier Commutes Than U.S. Average

A new ranking of commuting times among residents of smaller U.S. cities puts in the top fifth of the 3,012 small cities surveyed.

The information comes from a ranking produced by the American City Business Journals based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The Business Journals analyzed data from the bureau's 2009 American Community Survey.

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Cities and "census designated places" with populations from 10,000 to 50,000 were included in the survey, according to the Business Journals article. The Journals also reported on mid-sized cities with populations between 50,000 and 100,000 in a separate report and related database.

The article reports that cities and similar communities "were awarded points for all commuters who drive less than 30 minutes to work. But they lost points for all workers above that threshold."

Clayton was ranked 541 out of the 3,012 communities included in the Business Journal database, well above more than 20 other St. Louis County cities identified. With a 2009 estimated population of 16,039, Clayton had nearly 39 percent of its workforce driving less than 14 minutes to work. On the high end, 3.6 percent reported commutes of more than 45 minutes.

Nearby St. Louis cities with rankings closest to that of Clayton included Creve Coeur (832), Bridgeton (844) and Webster Groves (885).

Richmond Heights did not make the list because its population is below 10,000.

The Business Journal noted that on average, 15.5 percent of U.S. workers have a commute of at least 45 minutes.

In Clayton, about 46 percent of workers commute between 15 and 29 minutes and the rest have commutes between 30 and 44 minutes.

Want help beating the traffic? Don't forget to check out Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch's real time traffic map.