Surveys suggest that a growing number of Americans prefer living in walkable communities—areas where homes are smaller and closer together, with schools, stores, and restaurants within walking distance. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 44 percent of respondents said they prefer such neighborhoods, while 55 percent favored more spread-out areas with larger homes and longer commutes. A separate survey by the National Association of Realtors found that in the 50 largest U.S. metropolitan areas, 59 percent of respondents preferred walkable neighborhoods. Of those, 52 percent chose to live in apartments or townhouses with easy access to shops and restaurants, compared to 48 percent who preferred single-family homes with longer commutes. Despite this apparent demand, only a small percentage of Americans currently live in walkable communities. Smart Growth America estimates that just 6.8 percent of Americans live in walkable areas within the country's 35 largest metro areas. A 2025 study found that only 10.8 percent live in places designated as "most walkable" by the Environmental Protection Agency. This gap between preference and reality highlights a lack of supply for walkable communities, even though there is a clear appetite for them. Creating walkable communities often involves making driving and parking less convenient, which can be a politically difficult trade-off. Public opinion polls suggest that Americans may not favor policies like congestion pricing or reduced free parking, which are necessary to make walking more viable. However, the high real estate prices in existing walkable areas indicate strong demand, with limited new development of such neighborhoods in recent decades. While many Americans express a preference for walkable communities, the appeal of single-family homes and suburban living remains strong. Surveys indicate that even when asked to trade walkability for larger homes or more space, walkable options continue to attract a significant percentage of respondents. This suggests a desire for more choices in housing and community design, rather than a preference for one model over another.