Why variables in terms of workplace geography are not available at the census tract level?

Hello, I am trying to get data on commuting modes and work-from-home status for both residence tracts and workplace tracts respectively. For table B08006 (SEX OF WORKERS BY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION TO WORK by residence geography), the table is available at the census tract level. However, for table B08406 (SEX OF WORKERS BY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION TO WORK by workplace geography), the table is NOT available at the census tract level. I am just trying to understand why the data is available at the tract level for residence geography, but not for workplace geography. Moreover, according to https://www.census.gov/acs/www/about/why-we-ask-each-question/commuting/, they actually ask correspondents the exact address of their workplace, which can easily be aggregated to the census tract level. Therefore, I am very curious as to why the data is not available at the tract level for workplace geography.

Thank you.

  • Hi!

    You might like to try the IPUMS platform which includes the ACS data and can find the table that you are looking for.

    The procedure is:

    1. Go to this website: https://www.nhgis.org/
    2. Click "Get Data" and find the data filter at the top-left
    3. Click the "TOPICS" button
    4. In the "POPULATION" Tab, select "Journey to work"
    5. Go to the table and change the order "YEAR - DATASET" to descending order
    6. Go to page 3 then you will find the "B08406".

    Hope it helps!