[1st-mile-nm] NM Lowest Adoption Rate of All States (2010)

[Richard Lowenberg]

Some States Lag Behind in Internet Adoption

(see URL for complete article and graphs)
http://www.governing.com/blogs/by-the-numbers/gov-internet-adoption-by-state-data.html

Posted By Mike Maciag | July 19, 2012

New census estimates show that while a growing number of Americans surf 
the Web, some states still lag behind in Internet adoption.

About 71 percent of U.S. households were connected to the Internet in 
2010, according to Current Population Survey estimates released this 
week. That’s up from 61.7 percent in 2007, with the rate steadily 
climbing since the first homes plugged in during the 1990s.

But strong divides in Internet access remain, with adoption rates 
varying widely among different regions and demographic groups.

In some rural areas, Internet providers offer limited coverage or slow 
connection speeds. Many low income Americans also opt not to purchase 
Internet service, citing cost concerns.

Data indicates southern states have the nation's lowest household 
adoption rates.

New Mexico recorded a household adoption rate of 64.1 percent – the 
lowest of any state, likely explained in part by its high Hispanic and 
American Indian population, groups typically less likely to connect to 
the Internet.

Mississippi and Arkansas reported the next-lowest adoption rates for 
residents age 3 and up.

By comparison, an estimated 86.2 percent of New Hampshire residents had 
household Internet access, the highest share in the 2010 survey.

(snip)

Many states recorded a significant boost in Internet access in recent 
years. Idaho led the way, with 80 percent of residents living in 
households with access, up from less than 62 percent in 2007. The 
state's increase was followed by Arizona, West Virginia and Kansas.

Household access jumped in all 50 states over the three-year period, 
although Indiana’s rate of 66.8 percent changed little from 2007.

The survey results did not distinguish among Internet connection types 
for state adoption percentages.

National data is broken down further, showing nearly 48 percent of 
Americans with home Internet access used cable line connections. Another 
34.6 percent connected via slower DSL, while 4 percent were still 
limited to dial up.

It’s no surprise that less-educated individuals are far less likely to 
have their homes wired. Only 43 percent of those age 25 and older with 
less than a high school education and 66 percent who graduated high 
school but did not attend college had access at home, compared to nearly 
91 percent holding at least a bachelor’s degree, according to survey 
data.

Household Internet adoption also varies across race and ethnicity: 
About 63 percent of Hispanics and blacks lived in households with 
access, compared to 81 percent for non-Hispanic whites and nearly 87 
percent for Asians.

(snip)



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Richard Lowenberg
1st-Mile Institute
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504
505-989-9110 / 505-603-5200
www.1st-mile.com   rl at 1st-mile.com
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