Kastle's nationally-tracked occupancy data shows commercial office usage has reached its highest point since the pandemic began — a signal that hybrid work patterns are stabilizing.
The Kastle Back to Work Barometer, which tracks access control swipe data across 2,500+ buildings in 10 major U.S. metro areas, recorded a weekly average of 56.3% of pre-pandemic occupancy levels — the highest sustained average since early 2020.
The data provides property managers, CRE operators, and workplace strategists with a clearer picture of real demand versus contracted square footage. Markets like Dallas, Houston, and Austin consistently lead the barometer, while coastal markets including San Francisco and New York continue to trail the national average.
For building operators, the stabilization of hybrid work patterns means security headcounts and access credential volumes are reaching a new steady state — making the current moment ideal for evaluating whether existing access control infrastructure matches the reality of how buildings are being used.