Millennials Prefer Walkable Communities & Alternatives to Driving

Washington, DC, July 29, 2015—Millennials prefer walking over driving by 12 percentage points, a substantially wider margin than any other generation, according to a new poll conducted by the National Association of Realtors and the Transportation Research and Education Center at Portland State University, which shows that 83% of millennial like walking, while only 71% like driving. 

The 2015 National Community and Transportation Preference Survey found that millennials, those aged 18 to 34, also prefer living in attached housing, living within walking distance of shops and restaurants, and having a short commute, and they are the most likely age group to make use of public transportation.

The poll also found that millennials show a stronger preference than other generations for expanding public transportation and providing transportation alternatives to driving, such as biking and walking, while also increasing the availability of trains and buses. Millennials likewise favor developing communities where people do not need to drive long distances to work or shop.

As a whole, the survey found that Americans prefer walkable communities more so than they have in the past. Forty-eight percent of respondents reported that they would prefer to live in communities containing houses with small yards but within easy walking distance of the community's amenities, as opposed to living in communities with houses that have large yards, but they have to drive to all amenities. And while 60% of adults surveyed live in detached, single-family homes, 25% of those respondents said they would rather live in an attached home and have greater walkability.

When choosing a new home, respondents indicated that they would like choices when it comes to their community's transportation options. Eighty-five percent of survey participants said that sidewalks are a positive factor when purchasing a home, and 79% place importance on being within easy walking distance of places. Women in particular value walkability in their communities, with 61% indicating that having sidewalks with stores and restaurants to walk to is very important.