Knox County is the main economic driver of our region which can be explored in depth in our new Work Commuting Trends Dashboard that shows the extent of the region’s economic interconnectedness.

For several years, Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) staff have created a static commuter map that illustrates how many residents live and work within Knox County, and how many commute in or out for work.

While that information has been useful, it doesn’t capture the full picture. TPO’s new Work Commuting Trends dashboard allows users to dig into commuter movements for the Knoxville Combined Statistical Area, made up of Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, Sevier, and Union Counties.

Within the tool, users can select specific geographies in the region to explore characteristics and commuting patterns of the workers who live there. The options include cities, entire counties, and unincorporated portions of counties. The 2023 dataset (which is the most recent) was used and is sourced from Tennessee Department of Transportation’s TITAN tools. That information will be updated yearly as new figures become available.

This tool highlights how widely people travel for work throughout the region and helps us understand economic implications on both sides of their commute. Jobs created anywhere within the region provide economic opportunities for those even outside their home community. Also of importance, the regular movement of people throughout the region impacts planning for transportation infrastructure and budgeting. As more people relocate to our area, this tool can help local decision-makers understand traffic patterns and congestion, spot trends, and identify mobility needs while recognizing broader regional links.