Inside Apple Valley

In Rachel Byrd’s article “The Life of a Commuter,” she writes about the number of residents who leave the Victor Valley for work and the effect it has on family life. She found county research that states: Adelanto is home to the most commuters, with 45 percent of working residents commuting. In Hesperia, 43 percent of the workforce commutes, in Victorville 40 percent, and in Apple Valley 28 percent.  

While people choose to commute for a variety of reasons, it seems reasonable to assume most have determined a better job opportunity awaits them somewhere other than where they live. With Apple Valley holding on to 12 to 17 percent more of it’s workforce than other local cities, the town must be doing something right.  

It must be said that Apple Valley residents would likely face the longest commute from home down the hill, which may contribute a bit to this statistic. But residents couldn’t be staying around to work locally if there wasn’t a job market to support them. 

Even with the recent growth in commercial development, I’ve read comments to past stories expressing concern over the lack of high-paying, professional job opportunities in AV. And so I wonder, does the lower number of commuters mean AV residents are taking lower-paying jobs? 

But the latest U.S. Census data shows that AV residents have an average household income nestled comfortably between that of neighboring Hesperia and Victorville.  

Why does it even matter how many people commute? One reason is what some refer to as the “brain drain,” where talented, commuting professionals take needed skills, growth and smarts away from their hometown economy. There have also been several studies about how a long commute can have a detrimental effect on health and family life, particularly if the drive involves fighting traffic.  

I’m a commuter myself, though fortunately my drive doesn’t involve much if any traffic. I actually enjoy the 35 to 40 minutes to blast my music and be alone with my thoughts. The cell phone has intruded on this a bit, but it’s also a good chance to catch up with family and friends. 

So to what can Apple Valley attribute its low commuter statistic? Is this cause to celebrate, or an issue of concern over the types of jobs residents are taking? Has commuting impacted your life at all? I welcome your comments and insight…   

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