How many people in the U.S. work from home?

Dear ells11-ga,

There are contradictory figures depending on the question asked (see
the documents for the methodology).

According to the latest figures from the US Census Bureau, nearly 4.2
million people worked at home in 2000. They also reported that the
American Community Survey from 2003 reported that 4.5 million people
worked at home in 2003.
See this page for additional information.
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/census_2000/002966.html
Additional information.
http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/workathome.html

The Bureau of Labor Statistics supplies information for 2002 and 2004. 

?In May 2001, 19.8 million persons usually did some work at home as
part of their primary job, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S.
Department of Labor reported today.?
See these pages for additional information.
ftp://ftp.bls.gov/pub/news.release/History/homey.03012002.news
http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2002/mar/wk1/art01.htm

?In May 2004, 20.7 million persons usually did some work at home as part
of their primary job, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S.
Department of Labor reported today.?
See these pages for additional information.
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/homey.nr0.htm
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/homey.toc.htm


I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is
unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before
rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as
soon as I receive it.
Thank you
answer finder

Search strategy
us "home workers" census
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Request for Answer Clarification by ells11-ga on 30 Mar 2006 05:20 PST

What is the major discrpency between the numbers - is the lower number
people who work at home full time.

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Clarification of Answer by answerfinder-ga on 30 Mar 2006 07:56 PST

Dear ells11-ga,

The difference in the numbers is caused by as what is classified as
work from home. These are extracts from the methodology referred to
above.

Census :
?Usually? was defined to mean most days during the week. People who
worked at home part of the week, but elsewhere more days than at home,
were not counted as at-home workers. Thus, the census estimates may be
lower than other estimates that count at-home workers differently.
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/census_2000/002966.html

Bureau of Labor Statistics:
"Persons who usually work at home are defined as those who work at
home at least once per week as part their primary job."
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/homey.nr0.htm

Hope this helps.
answerfinder-ga

Exactly what I was looking for.  Thanks.  I wil defintiely use this again!