Transportation is a critical access measure for assessing a community’s health, economy, and values. Of note is that transportation affects access to healthcare, food, employment, and even recreation. As a district made up of primarily rural communities, access to transportation is vital to the health of our communities.
Carroll County
More than 85% of respondents indicate having access to transportation and nearly 85% report access is through their own vehicle. Concern should be given to those who lack access to transportation since this can greatly affect their access to healthcare, food, and employment. Up to 3.5% of respondents indicate they do not have access to transportation. Of those with no access, more than half are unaware of the public transit system available in Carroll County. Statistically, the number without access to transportation represents approximately 372 citizens in Carroll County which may directly impact health and access to food and/or employment. (Margin of error: 5.521%)
With more than 48% of owned vehicles being shared by multiple persons, higher percentages of persons owning a vehicle compared to those having access to transportation may be attributed to those multiple member households sharing one vehicle, leaving one or more persons without access when the vehicle is primarily used by another in the household.
Gallatin County
Up to 92% of respondents indicate having access to transportation and more than 92% report access is through their own vehicle. Concern should be given to those who lack access to transportation since this can greatly affect their access to healthcare, food, and employment. Nearly 5% of respondents indicate they do not have access to transportation. Of those with no access, more than three-fourths are unaware of the public transit system available in Gallatin County. Statistically, the number without access to transportation represents approximately 434 citizens in Gallatin County which may directly impact health and access to food and/or employment. (Margin of error: 4.262%)
With more than 45% of owned vehicles being shared by multiple persons, higher percentages of persons owning a vehicle compared to those having access to transportation may be attributed to those multiple member households sharing one vehicle, leaving one or more persons without access when the vehicle is primarily used by another in the household.
Owen County
More than 93% of respondents indicate having access to transportation and more than 92% report access is through their own vehicle. Concern should be given to those who lack access to transportation since this can greatly affect their access to healthcare, food, and employment. A little more than 1% of respondents indicate they do not have access to transportation. Of those with no access, more than three-fourths are unaware of the public transit system available in Owen County. Statistically, the number without access to transportation represents a small fraction of the citizens of Owen County, approximately 131, which may directly impact health and access to food and/or employment. (Margin of error: 5.346%)
Owen County has a higher percentage of vehicle-to-person ratio with 64.2% of its population having only one person using a vehicle. Even so, this leaves more than one-third of the population who own a vehicle sharing that with two or more persons which can increase the risk of limited access to healthcare, food, and employment.
Pendleton County
More than 96% of respondents indicate having access to transportation and nearly 91% report access is through their own vehicle. Concern should be given to those who lack access to transportation since this can greatly affect their access to healthcare, food, and employment. A little more than 2% of respondents indicate they do not have access to transportation. Of those with no access, only a little more than one quarter are not aware of the public transit system available in Pendleton County. Statistically, the number without access to transportation represents a limited number of the citizens of Pendleton County, approximately 306, which may directly impact health and access to food and/or employment. (Margin of error: 5.375%
More than 46% of owned vehicles are being shared by multiple persons. Generally, this might limit the number of persons having access to transportation, but Pendleton County residents appear to be mitigating this limitation as there are fewer people who own a vehicle than those who have access to transportation. This difference may be indicated by a higher awareness rate among those without access to transportation of the public transit system, or a higher rate of families and neighbors providing necessary transportation.