1 in 10 Americans rarely or never drive a car

Driving is deeply ingrained in American culture. Most U.S. households have access to a car, and the vast majority of adults say they drive at least a few times a month. Still, 10% of U.S. adults are nondrivers – that is, they say they seldom or never drive a car or other vehicle – according to a new Pew Research Center survey. This includes 6% who say they don’t drive at all. Where people live plays a role in whether they drive. About two-in-ten adults living in urban areas (18%) say they seldom or never drive. That’s about double the shares of those who say this and live in suburban (7%) or rural areas (8%). Those who live in the Northeast (17%) are more likely than those in the South (10%), West (8%) and Midwest (7%) to be nondrivers. Beyond these geographic differences, certain groups of Americans are especially likely to say they seldom or never drive a car: Adults in lower-income households: 19% of those living in lower-income households seldom or never drive, compared with 6% of those in middle-income households and 3% of those in upper-income households. Black Americans: 21% of Black adults are nondrivers, compared with smaller shares of Asian (13%), Hispanic (12%) and White (7%) adults. Younger Americans: Adults under 30 (15%) are more likely than those ages 30 to 49 (9%), 50 to 64 (7%) and 65 and older (11%) to be nondrivers.