As we approach a full year after the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S., thousands of Americans are still doing their jobs from a home office – or makeshift home office. While the percentage of at-home workers is currently at 19% of U.S. adults – who were employed prior to the pandemic – the data indicate a gradual return to job sites.

In a parallel survey of more than 1,200 employed adults who work in typical office settings, 51% reported they were already back at the office while 31% said their employer had not shared when they will return. These numbers are consistent with the findings in CivicScience’s August report. Those who report that their position has become permanently remote increased from 4% to 5% in recent polling.

Comfort returning to a job site doesn’t necessarily indicate a preference for working outside one’s home. Thirty percent of working adults in a February survey said they would absolutely move to a different city or state if they were able to do their jobs entirely from home. In addition, 41% of employed adults would even go as far as taking a pay cut in order to work remotely from any location.

When compared to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on job status, people who have worked remotely during the pandemic are much less certain whether or not a move would be worth it. Forty-three percent said they might move, but they weren’t sure. People who were working as usual or those whose jobs have suffered were much more likely to select one or the other – yes, they would absolutely move or no, they absolutely wouldn’t move. 

Women show a much greater inclination than men to change their address in order to permanently work from home, but the majority of parents would stay put. 

Regardless of employment status, 28% of American adults overall say they have considered relocating because of the pandemic. Whether or not they plan to take action is another thing. 

Right now, national data indicate more demand for real estate than supply but it’s unclear whether or not people just think it’s a good time to buy or if it’s more related to concern about the coronavirus. CivicScience data show the possibility of relocating has crossed the minds of more city-dwellers than suburban or rural Americans, which could mean more densely populated regions are truly unfavorable to some people right now.