U.S. Census Bureau

LODES and OnTheMap — jobs and commuting

Census resources describing the location of jobs and workers and the relationships between home and workplace.

Read the primary source

Dataset / methodology guide · U.S. Census Bureau

Read with context.

Choose a consistent year and job definition before interpreting a map. Workplace employment and residents’ employment answer different questions. Keep geographic boundaries and industry selections with the result so another reader can reproduce the comparison.

Limits to keep in view

Administrative coverage, disclosure protection and release definitions matter. A mapped job is not a current job opening, and commuting patterns alone do not measure discrimination.

Connect evidence to action

Choose a question, verify the relevant jurisdiction, and explain the action you are asking someone to take. A source-backed draft is a starting point—not a message sent on your behalf.

Use this in an advocacy brief

Research sources

Source text supports this summary. Human editorial approval, service availability and eligibility are separate checks.

U.S. Census Bureau

Census resources describing the location of jobs and workers and the relationships between home and workplace.

primary-source · checked Sep 6, 2026

Related policy & program records

Shared topic, not a claim of causation or eligibility.

Your working notes

Keep the context with the claim.

Write the question first

What are you trying to understand? Identify the population and place before looking for a number that might support your position.

Capture the measure

Record the source title, table or indicator, units, reference period and any stated uncertainty. Preserve the original wording of technical definitions.

Distinguish observation from explanation

A difference between groups can prompt further inquiry. It does not, by itself, identify the cause or establish the effect of a particular policy.