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

AAPI Data Releases 2026 AAPI State Fact Sheets, Highlighting the Growing Influence of AAPI Communities Across All 50 States and Washington, D.C. – AAPI Data

Published

9 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Press Room

MEDIA CONTACT:
Amanda Ong
press@aapidata.com

AAPI Data Releases 2026 AAPI State Fact Sheets, Highlighting the Growing Influence of AAPI Communities Across All 50 States and Washington, D.C.

Washington, DC – Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) and AAPI Data today released the 2026 AAPI State Fact Sheets, a comprehensive set of demographic and voter data for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Updated every two years, the fact sheets provide policymakers, advocates, researchers, journalists, campaigns, and community organizations with essential data on the nation’s fastest-growing racial demographic and voter bloc.

“AAPI voters are shaping elections nationwide, yet our communities are still too often overlooked or misunderstood,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director of APIAVote. “These fact sheets give organizers, policymakers, media, and advocates the context they need to build more informed, effective, and inclusive engagement strategies and to better understand AAPI communities’ growing impact on American democracy.”

“Our communities are growing rapidly in places well beyond the Northeast and the Pacific West,” said Karthick Ramakrishnan, Founder and Executive Director of AAPI Data. “It is critical for news media, funders, and civic engagement organizations to use these updated findings to ensure accuracy and efficacy in their work.”

The 2026 State Fact Sheets include state-specific information on:

AAPI population and eligible voters
Population growth trends
Citizenship and immigration data
Language access and English proficiency
Economic indicators, including poverty and health insurance coverage
Geographic concentrations by county
Voter demographics and civic engagement

The fact sheets are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and include both monoracial and multiracial AAPI populations. Together, these data provide a more complete picture of AAPI communities and equip decision-makers with the information needed to better serve and engage one of the country’s fastest-growing populations.

The 2026 AAPI State Fact Sheets are available for free and may be downloaded individually by state or as a combined report at: https://apiavote.org/policy-and-research/aapi-demographics-by-state/. The factsheets can also be found on the AAPI Data website: https://aapidata.com/demographics/2026-aapi-voter-state-fact-sheets

About AAPI Data

AAPI Data is a national research and policy organization producing accurate data to support community narratives that drive action toward enduring solutions for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. Learn more at aapidata.com.

About APIAVote

Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) is the nation’s leading nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to engaging, educating, and empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities to strengthen and sustain a culture of civic engagement. See our website for more information at https://www.apiavote.org/

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Washington, D.C

Kronenwetter mom in D.C. to remember son, victims of internet crimes

Published

19 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Press Room

Kronenwetter mom in D.C. to remember son, victims of internet crimes

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAW) – It’s a day for gathering and remembering victims of internet crimes.

The parents of Bradyn Bohn, the D.C. Everest teen who was a victim of sextortion, are in Washington, D.C. for the event.

A sign with Bradyn’s picture, his name, ‘forever 15′– along with too many more– sit outside the capitol.

It’s the inaugural ‘Social Media Victims Remembrance Day.’ A number of lawmakers were on hand. Bradyn’s mom, Brittney Bird, says Congress needs to choose families over big tech.

“My first thought is it’s absolutely heartbreaking,” she said. ”None of us should be here. These groups have been doing this for coming up on four years now. And there hasn’t been a change. If four years ago there would have been a change, my son would be here. Countless children would still be here. It’s heartbreaking, but at the same time there’s strength in numbers. So there’s that strength. And it gives us hope, you know, that things will change and that we’ve got each other.”

Bradyn died by suicide in March 2025 after a sextortion scheme. The efforts of his parents helped lead to the creation of Bradyn’s Law, signed into law last December. It established sextortion as a new crime, and imposes severe penalties on perpetrators.

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Washington, D.C

First Nebraska civics bee champion crowned, will head to Washington, D.C. for national competition

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1 day ago

June 23, 2026

Press Room

First Nebraska civics bee champion crowned, will head to Washington, D.C. for national competition

The state competition, which was put on by the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, had three rounds. The first two rounds included 20 multiple choice questions about various historical documents, court cases and civics concepts.

In the final round, the top five students gave short pitches about the essays they submitted on improving a problem in their community. Bernal wrote about the Tyson Plant closure after she visited Lexington in December.

“Things were really starting to be like, ‘Oh my gosh, the Tyson plant is actually closing,’” Bernal said. “Around two weeks later, during the first day back from winter break, my social studies teacher said we’re going to be writing an essay about a problem we see in our community. I thought, ‘Wow, this is something really positive I could use my voice for.’”

In her essay, Bernal said she wanted to bring awareness to the closure and host job fairs for those impacted. Other topics included student mental health, impacts of flooding and the childcare crisis.

Tara Lea, executive vice president of partnerships and programs for the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said more than 500 students submitted essays across Nebraska, making the state fifth in the nation for participation and first per capita.

“We had no idea what to expect when we signed up to do this,” Lea said. “We were just excited all 50 states were doing it. We were proud to be one of them, but Nebraska showed up.”

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