Washington, D.C

Washington, DC Tops List Of 'America's Hardest-Working Cities'

Published

2 years ago

April 12, 2024

Washington, DC Tops List Of 'America's Hardest-Working Cities'

In a nation known for its strong work ethic, some cities stand out as shining examples of the American spirit. After all, work is the backbone of the American dream. A recent study by WalletHub set out to identify the hardest-working cities in the United States, comparing 116 of the most populated cities across 11 key metrics. Who came out on top? Results point to our nation’s capital, Washington, DC!

The study offers a fascinating insight into the work habits of Americans and the factors that contribute to a city’s overall work ethic. Conducted in February 2024, researchers looked at two main dimensions: “Direct Work Factors” and “Indirect Work Factors.” Direct Work Factors, which accounted for 80% of the total score, included metrics such as average workweek hours, employment rate, and the share of households where no adults work. Indirect Work Factors, which made up the remaining 20%, considered aspects like average commute time, the share of workers with multiple jobs, and annual volunteer hours per resident.

With that said, let’s take a look at the full list!

Hardest-Working Cities in the U.S.

Overall Rank*	City	Total Score	Direct Work Factors Rank	Indirect Work Factors Rank
1	Washington, DC	76.97	4	9
2	Irving, TX	76.39	1	46
3	Cheyenne, WY	76.15	7	27
4	Virginia Beach, VA	75.79	8	11
5	Anchorage, AK	75.55	3	85
6	Norfolk, VA	75.27	9	14
7	Dallas, TX	75.21	5	32
8	San Francisco, CA	74.67	6	40
9	Denver, CO	73.93	12	22
10	Austin, TX	73.82	2	79
11	Sioux Falls, SD	73.56	11	74
12	Corpus Christi, TX	73.44	10	76
13	Plano, TX	72.84	14	38
14	Fort Worth, TX	72.14	16	30
15	Arlington, TX	72.12	15	31
16	Chesapeake, VA	71.85	30	7
17	Aurora, CO	71.68	24	16
18	Laredo, TX	70.98	23	62
19	Garland, TX	70.90	25	21
20	Nashville, TN	70.52	13	77
21	Manchester, NH	70.24	34	35
22	Omaha, NE	70.00	36	25
23	Raleigh, NC	69.92	29	29
24	Charlotte, NC	69.89	33	24
25	Chandler, AZ	69.74	20	64
26	Scottsdale, AZ	69.70	17	78
27	Houston, TX	69.24	26	51
28	Gilbert, AZ	68.75	31	50
29	Tampa, FL	68.55	19	97
30	Boston, MA	68.45	49	3
31	Fremont, CA	68.22	37	33
32	Seattle, WA	68.05	51	6
33	Atlanta, GA	67.86	32	69
34	Portland, ME	67.72	40	57
35	Colorado Springs, CO	67.43	52	17
36	Oklahoma City, OK	66.95	22	101
37	Indianapolis, IN	66.91	47	18
38	St. Petersburg, FL	66.78	28	100
39	Orlando, FL	66.71	21	107
40	Jacksonville, FL	66.42	18	109
41	Lubbock, TX	66.40	39	98
42	Baltimore, MD	66.38	71	2
43	San Antonio, TX	66.14	35	86
44	Salt Lake City, UT	66.02	66	5
45	Phoenix, AZ	65.90	41	54
46	Durham, NC	65.80	43	88
47	Fargo, ND	65.52	48	63
48	Little Rock, AR	65.32	38	115
49	Kansas City, MO	65.25	50	41
50	San Jose, CA	65.19	42	55
51	Miami, FL	64.91	27	114
52	Oakland, CA	64.67	53	42
53	Boise, ID	64.18	63	48
54	Portland, OR	64.17	83	1
55	El Paso, TX	64.13	64	43
56	Jersey City, NJ	63.89	58	37
57	Louisville, KY	63.82	57	34
58	Honolulu, HI	63.72	46	110
59	Tulsa, OK	63.57	45	111
60	Billings, MT	63.48	62	66
61	Minneapolis, MN	62.77	77	13
62	Des Moines, IA	62.75	69	67
63	Lexington-Fayette, KY	62.52	54	102
64	Wichita, KS	62.36	56	105
65	Glendale, AZ	62.34	70	47
66	Jackson, MS	62.11	60	106
67	San Diego, CA	61.95	59	80
68	Columbus, OH	61.94	65	59
69	Irvine, CA	61.62	55	89
70	Fort Wayne, IN	61.56	68	93
71	Hialeah, FL	61.44	44	112
72	Santa Ana, CA	61.29	61	87
73	Lincoln, NE	61.25	82	28
74	Mesa, AZ	61.13	72	61
75	Long Beach, CA	60.69	74	65
76	St. Louis, MO	60.65	81	36
77	St. Paul, MN	60.56	85	12
78	Anaheim, CA	60.49	73	75
79	Reno, NV	60.45	75	90
80	Los Angeles, CA	60.14	76	60
81	Chula Vista, CA	60.11	78	53
82	Winston-Salem, NC	59.59	79	92
83	Henderson, NV	59.19	80	71
84	Philadelphia, PA	58.52	98	8
85	Birmingham, AL	58.29	67	108
86	North Las Vegas, NV	58.14	84	49
87	Chicago, IL	57.71	89	39
88	Las Vegas, NV	57.28	88	58
89	Cincinnati, OH	57.23	97	20
90	Bakersfield, CA	56.29	93	72
91	Albuquerque, NM	56.16	92	84
92	Memphis, TN	55.91	91	73
93	Riverside, CA	55.36	94	68
94	New Orleans, LA	55.26	87	96
95	Greensboro, NC	55.08	96	94
96	Sacramento, CA	54.96	90	95
97	Wilmington, DE	54.60	95	81
98	Pittsburgh, PA	54.41	104	19
99	New York, NY	53.70	101	44
100	Baton Rouge, LA	53.43	100	91
101	Madison, WI	52.98	99	104
102	Milwaukee, WI	52.85	108	10
103	Charleston, WV	52.61	86	116
104	Stockton, CA	52.28	106	15
105	Tucson, AZ	51.94	102	99
106	Providence, RI	51.60	107	26
107	San Bernardino, CA	50.62	105	83
108	Columbia, SC	50.33	103	113
109	Cleveland, OH	50.00	110	23
110	Fresno, CA	48.86	109	82
111	Bridgeport, CT	48.31	112	4
112	Toledo, OH	47.50	111	52
113	Newark, NJ	43.19	113	45
114	Buffalo, NY	39.22	114	103
115	Detroit, MI	39.08	115	70
116	Burlington, VT	34.43	116	56

Note: *No. 1 = Hardest Working
With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

A Closer Look At The Top 3

So why did Washington, D.C. emerge as the hardest-working city? This is due, in part, to the city having the highest share of workers who leave vacation time unused at 64%. Residents of D.C. also work the third-most hours per week on average and are willing to take relatively long commutes to work, adding over 30 minutes to their workday. Additionally, more than 30% of the District’s residents are members of local volunteer groups or organizations, showcasing their dedication to their community.

Irving, TX, secured the second spot on the list, largely because it has the lowest share of households where no adults work, at only 11%. Irving also ranks ninth in the country for the mean number of hours worked per week. However, this hard work comes at a cost, with Irving residents having significantly less leisure time compared to people in most other cities.

Cheyenne, WY, rounded out the top three, with residents putting in the third-most hours per week, on average. The city boasts one of the highest employment rates in the country, at over 97%, meaning nearly all working-age residents are employed. Cheyenne also has the seventh-highest rate of workers with multiple jobs, at nearly 7%. As a result, people in Cheyenne have the third-lowest amount of leisure time, on average.

Methodology

The WalletHub study employed a comprehensive methodology to determine the hardest-working cities in America. The research team evaluated 116 of the most populated cities using two key dimensions: “Direct Work Factors” and “Indirect Work Factors.” These dimensions were assessed using 11 key metrics, each graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the “hardest-working.”

The Direct Work Factors dimension, which accounted for 80% of the total score, included six metrics. The average workweek hours were given the highest weight (triple weight, ~36.92 points), as this metric directly measures the time spent working. The employment rate and the share of households where no adults work were both given full weight (~12.31 points each), as they provide insight into the overall employment situation in each city. The share of workers leaving vacation time unused and the share of engaged workers (a state-level metric) were assigned half weight (~6.15 points each), as they relate to work dedication and engagement. Finally, the idle youth (16-24) rate was also given half weight, as it indicates the proportion of young people not engaged in work or education.

The Indirect Work Factors dimension, which made up the remaining 20% of the total score, included five metrics, each given full weight (~4.00 points). The average commute time was included as it can significantly impact the total time spent on work-related activities. The share of workers with multiple jobs (a state-level metric) was considered as it reflects the need for some individuals to work more than one job. Annual volunteer hours per resident and the share of residents who participate in local groups or organizations were included to account for community engagement and additional time commitments outside of paid work. Lastly, the average leisure time spent per day (a state-level metric) was considered as it relates to work-life balance.

To calculate the overall score for each city, the researchers determined the weighted average across all 11 metrics. The resulting scores were then used to rank-order the cities from hardest-working to least hard-working. To ensure a geographically diverse sample, the study included at least one city from each of the 50 states. It is important to note that the term “city” in this study refers specifically to the city proper and does not include the surrounding metropolitan area.

By employing this multi-faceted approach, the WalletHub study aimed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the work ethic in American cities. The methodology takes into account both direct measures of work, such as hours worked and employment rates, as well as indirect factors that can impact work-life balance and overall quality of life. This detailed analysis allows for a nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to a city’s overall work ethic and provides valuable insights for policymakers, employers, and residents alike.

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Washington, D.C

Man in critical condition after water rescue in Southwest DC

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7 hours ago

May 29, 2026

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Man in critical condition after water rescue in Southwest DC

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WASHINGTON – A man is in critical condition after falling into the Anacostia River in Southwestern Washington, D.C., Friday night.

What we know:

D.C. Fire and EMS reported the rescue effort shortly after 10 p.m. at James Creek Marina in Buzzard Point.

Crews believe a man fell from the dock into the water.

By 10:30 p.m., crews were able to pull the man out of the water.

Paramedics took him to the hospital in critical condition.

What we don’t know:

Officials did not identify the man who was rescued. No other information was immediately available.

The Source: Information in this story is from the D.C. Fire and EMS Department.

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Washington, D.C

DC’s baseball team faces potential DOJ probe after exec allegedly admitted to religious discrimination

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18 hours ago

May 29, 2026

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DC’s baseball team faces potential DOJ probe after exec allegedly admitted to religious discrimination

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FIRST ON FOX — Washington, D.C.’s professional baseball franchise could come under Justice Department scrutiny after a viral video showed a team executive appearing to admit to his religious discrimination against a Christian player.

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., is urging Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon to investigate alleged religious discrimination against players for the Washington Nationals, according to a letter sent Thursday to and first obtained by Fox News Digital.

The letter comes after Project Veritas founder James O’Keefe published a secretly recorded video of Washington Nationals Director of Community Relations Sean Hudson saying the team does not include pitcher Trevor Williams in certain social media promotion.

He cited the player’s public criticism of another Major League Baseball franchise for hosting a drag group mocking Catholics.

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., is urging the Department of Justice to investigate alleged religious discrimination within the Washington Nationals organization and across Major League Baseball. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

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“According to the reporting by James O’Keefe, it appears the Washington Nationals are engaged in unlawful religious discrimination,” Boebert told Fox News Digital in a written statement. “I urge the DOJ to take immediate and decisive action.”

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said they received Boebert’s letter.

“The Department is reviewing the matter and will evaluate all appropriate next steps. As always, we remain committed to enforcing federal law and protecting civil rights,” they told Fox News Digital.

A spokesperson for the Washington Nationals did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Hudson, in the clandestine recording, pointed to Williams’ public objections to the Los Angeles Dodgers honoring the Sisterhood of Perpetual Indulgence — a drag group that dresses as nuns — during the team’s 2023 “Pride Night.

The event also drew condemnation from multiple Catholic bishops, who described it as “blasphemous.”

Trevor Williams of the Washington Nationals sits in the dugout before a game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Wash., on May 28, 2025. (Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

Williams said he found the group’s anti-Catholic demonstration featuring vulgar caricatures of the crucifixion and sacred rituals to be “deeply offensive,” in an interview with Bishop Robert Barron last year. The professional baseball player said he made the decision with his wife to speak out even though it would put “a target on our back.”

“Baseball stadiums should be a place where everyone feels welcomed, like 100%,” Williams said in the interview. “We should all feel welcomed there. But that was clearly against one certain religion. If you don’t draw the line in the sand, who’s gonna do it?”

According to Hudson, that public criticism of the drag group’s performance later affected Williams’ opportunities at the Nationals franchise.

“Because of that we don’t use him on social [media],” Hudson told an undercover journalist in the video. “When they’re like ‘is a hot dog a sandwich’ and the players come up, we don’t ask him.”

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Boebert said she is concerned that Hudson’s admission could mean the franchise violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on religion and other protected classes.

“Americans of faith should not face professional repercussions for objecting to the mockery of their sacred traditions,” the Colorado Republican said in the letter. “MLB’s privileged legal position should not become a license for exclusionary practices.”

“Sister Unity” and “Sister Dominia” of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were honored on Pride Night before the MLB game between the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on June 16, 2023. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)

Hudson, in the video, described himself as “far-left leaning” and nonreligious. Meanwhile, he called Williams “super Catholic.”

The Washington Nationals executive also boasted about a Communist Party poster in his office and mused about pushing redistribution of wealth and other leftist agendas during baseball games at Nationals Park in Southeast Washington, D.C.

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“What a cool opportunity for us [Nationals] to also, be a little bit of like, the voice of reason,” Hudson said. “And a lot of people will tell you when I come to a baseball game, I don’t want to think about that s–t.”

“If you’re a sports fan and we piss you off, where else are you gonna go,” he went on. “I don’t give a sh–t.”

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Washington, D.C

‘Gateway to our city’: $465M grant to renovate Union Station

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1 day ago

May 29, 2026

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‘Gateway to our city’: 5M grant to renovate Union Station

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Thursday hundreds of millions of dollars to help with what he says are critical structural repairs and upgrades for D.C.’s Union Station.

“It was built in 1908, over a hundred years ago, and it was the largest train station in the world when it was built,” Duffy said. “And over the course of decades, it’s become run-down,” Duffy said.

A $465 million grant aims to ensure the overall experience for those coming and going remains up to par and on track at the transit hub. It will help fast-track repairs like roof upgrades and passenger concourses, Duffy said.

The project includes the Amtrak lounge and the ticket experience.

For some travelers, alternatives to fast food are a must.

Retail, parking and office spaces will be priorities of the project to maximize the station’s revenue, as will public safety.

Already, Columbus Fountain is flowing again after being broken and dry for almost two decades.

“Now when you come out of Union Station, the gateway to our city, you’ll be met with a fountain that is beautiful and a fountain that actually works,” Duffy said.

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