Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The internet represents a fundamental shift in how Americans connect with one another, gather information and conduct their day-to-day lives. For more than 20 years, Pew Research Center has documented its growth and distribution in the United States. Explore the patterns of internet and home broadband adoption below.
How we did this
To better understand Americans’ smartphone and broadband adoption, Pew Research Center surveyed 5,733 U.S. adults from May 19 to Sept. 5, 2023. Ipsos conducted this National Public Opinion Reference Survey (NPORS) for the Center using address-based sampling and a multimode protocol that included both web and mail. This way nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race and ethnicity, education and other categories.
Polls from 2000 to 2021 were conducted via phone. For more on this mode shift, please read our Q&A.
Here are the questions used for this analysis, along with responses, and its methodology.
Internet use over time
When Pew Research Center began systematically tracking Americans’ internet usage in early 2000, about half of all adults were already online. Today, 95% of U.S. adults say they use the internet.
| Year | U.S. adults |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 52% |
| 2001 | 55% |
| 2002 | 59% |
| 2003 | 61% |
| 2004 | 63% |
| 2005 | 68% |
| 2006 | 71% |
| 2007 | 74% |
| 2008 | 74% |
| 2009 | 76% |
| 2010 | 76% |
| 2011 | 79% |
| 2012 | 83% |
| 2013 | 84% |
| 2014 | 84% |
| 2015 | 86% |
| 2016 | 88% |
| 2018 | 89% |
| 2019 | 90% |
| 2021 | 93% |
| 2023 | 95% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Who uses the internet?
For some demographic groups – such as young adults, those with at least some college experience and those from high-income households – internet usage is near universal.
| Year | Ages 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 70% | 61% | 46% | 14% |
| 2001 | 72% | 65% | 50% | 14% |
| 2002 | 76% | 70% | 54% | 18% |
| 2003 | 78% | 72% | 56% | 22% |
| 2004 | 77% | 75% | 61% | 24% |
| 2005 | 83% | 79% | 66% | 28% |
| 2006 | 86% | 82% | 70% | 32% |
| 2007 | 89% | 85% | 71% | 35% |
| 2008 | 89% | 84% | 72% | 38% |
| 2009 | 92% | 84% | 75% | 40% |
| 2010 | 92% | 85% | 74% | 43% |
| 2011 | 94% | 87% | 77% | 46% |
| 2012 | 96% | 91% | 79% | 54% |
| 2013 | 97% | 92% | 81% | 56% |
| 2014 | 97% | 92% | 81% | 57% |
| 2015 | 97% | 95% | 82% | 63% |
| 2016 | 99% | 96% | 87% | 64% |
| 2018 | 98% | 97% | 87% | 66% |
| 2019 | 100% | 97% | 88% | 73% |
| 2021 | 99% | 98% | 96% | 75% |
| 2023 | 97% | 98% | 96% | 88% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
| Year | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 53% | 38% | ||
| 2001 | 57% | 40% | ||
| 2002 | 60% | 47% | ||
| 2003 | 63% | 50% | ||
| 2004 | 65% | 49% | ||
| 2005 | 70% | 55% | ||
| 2006 | 72% | 59% | ||
| 2007 | 75% | 64% | ||
| 2008 | 75% | 63% | ||
| 2009 | 79% | 69% | ||
| 2010 | 78% | 68% | 71% | |
| 2011 | 81% | 72% | 72% | |
| 2012 | 84% | 77% | 79% | |
| 2013 | 85% | 79% | 80% | |
| 2014 | 85% | 79% | 81% | |
| 2015 | 87% | 81% | 82% | |
| 2016 | 88% | 85% | 88% | |
| 2018 | 89% | 87% | 88% | |
| 2019 | 92% | 85% | 86% | |
| 2021 | 93% | 91% | 95% | |
| 2023 | 96% | 91% | 97% | 98% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
| Year | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 54% | 50% |
| 2001 | 57% | 53% |
| 2002 | 61% | 57% |
| 2003 | 63% | 60% |
| 2004 | 66% | 61% |
| 2005 | 69% | 67% |
| 2006 | 72% | 70% |
| 2007 | 75% | 73% |
| 2008 | 74% | 73% |
| 2009 | 77% | 75% |
| 2010 | 77% | 76% |
| 2011 | 80% | 78% |
| 2012 | 83% | 82% |
| 2013 | 84% | 84% |
| 2014 | 84% | 84% |
| 2015 | 86% | 86% |
| 2016 | 89% | 86% |
| 2018 | 89% | 88% |
| 2019 | 90% | 91% |
| 2021 | 94% | 93% |
| 2023 | 94% | 96% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
| Year | Less than $30,000 | $30,000- $49,999 | $50,000- $74,999 | $75,000+ | Less than $30,000 (NPORS) | $30,000- $69,999 (NPORS) | $70,000- $99,999 (NPORS) | $100,000+ (NPORS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 34% | 58% | 72% | 81% | ||||
| 2001 | 36% | 60% | 75% | 84% | ||||
| 2002 | 39% | 64% | 76% | 85% | ||||
| 2003 | 41% | 66% | 81% | 87% | ||||
| 2004 | 44% | 68% | 83% | 88% | ||||
| 2005 | 49% | 73% | 86% | 92% | ||||
| 2006 | 52% | 75% | 86% | 92% | ||||
| 2007 | 58% | 74% | 86% | 93% | ||||
| 2008 | 54% | 78% | 88% | 95% | ||||
| 2009 | 60% | 79% | 92% | 95% | ||||
| 2010 | 61% | 81% | 88% | 95% | ||||
| 2011 | 64% | 85% | 90% | 97% | ||||
| 2012 | 70% | 87% | 93% | 97% | ||||
| 2013 | 72% | 86% | 93% | 97% | ||||
| 2014 | 74% | 86% | 93% | 96% | ||||
| 2015 | 76% | 86% | 94% | 97% | ||||
| 2016 | 79% | 90% | 95% | 98% | ||||
| 2018 | 81% | 93% | 97% | 98% | ||||
| 2019 | 82% | 93% | 97% | 98% | ||||
| 2021 | 86% | 91% | 98% | 99% | ||||
| 2023 | 87% | 96% | 98% | 99% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
| Year | Less than high school graduate | High school graduate | High school or less | Some college | College graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 19% | 40% | 67% | 78% | |
| 2001 | 21% | 43% | 68% | 81% | |
| 2002 | 24% | 48% | 73% | 83% | |
| 2003 | 25% | 51% | 75% | 85% | |
| 2004 | 27% | 53% | 76% | 86% | |
| 2005 | 32% | 58% | 80% | 89% | |
| 2006 | 37% | 61% | 83% | 91% | |
| 2007 | 40% | 65% | 85% | 92% | |
| 2008 | 38% | 65% | 86% | 93% | |
| 2009 | 40% | 68% | 87% | 94% | |
| 2010 | 41% | 68% | 87% | 93% | |
| 2011 | 43% | 72% | 89% | 94% | |
| 2012 | 52% | 75% | 91% | 96% | |
| 2013 | 54% | 75% | 92% | 96% | |
| 2014 | 55% | 76% | 91% | 96% | |
| 2015 | 62% | 78% | 92% | 96% | |
| 2016 | 68% | 81% | 94% | 98% | |
| 2018 | 65% | 84% | 93% | 97% | |
| 2019 | 71% | 84% | 95% | 98% | |
| 2021 | 86% | 97% | 98% | ||
| 2023 | 90% | 98% | 99% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
| Year | Urban | Suburban | Rural |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 53% | 56% | 42% |
| 2001 | 55% | 59% | 46% |
| 2002 | 61% | 63% | 49% |
| 2003 | 64% | 65% | 51% |
| 2004 | 65% | 67% | 53% |
| 2005 | 69% | 70% | 60% |
| 2006 | 71% | 73% | 62% |
| 2007 | 75% | 77% | 63% |
| 2008 | 75% | 77% | 63% |
| 2009 | 73% | 76% | 68% |
| 2010 | 78% | 79% | 69% |
| 2011 | 80% | 81% | 73% |
| 2012 | 84% | 84% | 75% |
| 2013 | 86% | 85% | 78% |
| 2014 | 85% | 85% | 79% |
| 2015 | 87% | 88% | 78% |
| 2016 | 89% | 90% | 81% |
| 2018 | 92% | 90% | 78% |
| 2019 | 91% | 94% | 85% |
| 2021 | 95% | 94% | 90% |
| 2023 | 95% | 97% | 93% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Home broadband use over time
The share of U.S. adults with high-speed broadband service at home increased rapidly between 2000 and 2010. Even since that rapid growth, increasing shares of Americans have access to broadband internet. Today, eight-in-ten U.S. adults say they subscribe to a broadband internet service at home.
| U.S. adults | |
|---|---|
| 3/31/2000 | 1% |
| 3/1/2001 | 6% |
| 9/10/2001 | 7% |
| 9/19/2001 | 7% |
| 10/1/2001 | 6% |
| 10/7/2001 | 6% |
| 10/18/2001 | 8% |
| 11/18/2001 | 8% |
| 12/23/2001 | 9% |
| 1/31/2002 | 9% |
| 5/19/2002 | 11% |
| 7/26/2002 | 11% |
| 10/6/2002 | 15% |
| 10/27/2002 | 12% |
| 11/24/2002 | 15% |
| 12/22/2002 | 12% |
| 3/24/2003 | 15% |
| 3/25/2003 | 16% |
| 5/20/2003 | 16% |
| 6/24/2003 | 16% |
| 8/3/2003 | 17% |
| 12/14/2003 | 19% |
| 3/1/2004 | 24% |
| 3/17/2004 | 25% |
| 6/17/2004 | 23% |
| 7/3/2004 | 25% |
| 11/22/2004 | 26% |
| 11/30/2004 | 25% |
| 2/9/2005 | 29% |
| 3/21/2005 | 29% |
| 6/7/2005 | 33% |
| 12/8/2005 | 37% |
| 12/31/2005 | 36% |
| 2/6/2006 | 41% |
| 3/28/2006 | 42% |
| 4/6/2006 | 42% |
| 8/31/2006 | 43% |
| 12/4/2006 | 46% |
| 12/30/2006 | 44% |
| 9/5/2007 | 51% |
| 12/2/2007 | 54% |
| 1/13/2008 | 51% |
| 5/11/2008 | 54% |
| 8/10/2008 | 58% |
| 8/31/2008 | 57% |
| 12/4/2008 | 56% |
| 12/20/2008 | 55% |
| 4/19/2009 | 62% |
| 6/21/2009 | 62% |
| 9/14/2009 | 62% |
| 12/27/2009 | 59% |
| 1/19/2010 | 61% |
| 5/30/2010 | 64% |
| 9/13/2010 | 60% |
| 11/24/2010 | 60% |
| 12/21/2010 | 62% |
| 5/22/2011 | 60% |
| 8/26/2011 | 62% |
| 1/8/2012 | 67% |
| 2/19/2012 | 65% |
| 4/3/2012 | 66% |
| 11/10/2012 | 68% |
| 12/9/2012 | 65% |
| 5/19/2013 | 70% |
| 9/30/2013 | 70% |
| 4/12/2015 | 66% |
| 7/12/2015 | 67% |
| 11/15/2015 | 67% |
| 4/4/2016 | 70% |
| 11/6/2016 | 73% |
| 1/10/2018 | 65% |
| 2/7/2019 | 73% |
| 2/8/2021 | 77% |
| 9/5/2023 | 80% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Who has home broadband?
As is true of internet adoption more broadly, home broadband adoption varies across demographic groups. Those with lower levels of income and formal education are less likely to have broadband service at home.
| Ages 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/31/2000 | 1% | 1% | 0% | |
| 3/1/2001 | 7% | 8% | 5% | 1% |
| 9/10/2001 | 9% | 9% | 6% | 1% |
| 9/19/2001 | 10% | 9% | 7% | 1% |
| 10/1/2001 | 8% | 8% | 5% | |
| 10/7/2001 | 8% | 9% | 4% | 1% |
| 10/18/2001 | 10% | 9% | 7% | 2% |
| 11/18/2001 | 10% | 10% | 5% | 2% |
| 12/23/2001 | 12% | 11% | 5% | 2% |
| 1/31/2002 | 14% | 10% | 7% | 1% |
| 5/19/2002 | 14% | 13% | 9% | 2% |
| 7/26/2002 | 12% | 14% | 9% | 3% |
| 10/6/2002 | 18% | 19% | 13% | 2% |
| 10/27/2002 | 19% | 17% | 7% | 1% |
| 11/24/2002 | 22% | 18% | 11% | 2% |
| 12/22/2002 | 17% | 14% | 11% | 3% |
| 3/24/2003 | 22% | 20% | 12% | 2% |
| 3/25/2003 | 23% | 20% | 13% | 3% |
| 5/20/2003 | 20% | 19% | 16% | 4% |
| 6/24/2003 | 24% | 19% | 15% | 3% |
| 8/3/2003 | 25% | 21% | 14% | 3% |
| 12/14/2003 | 28% | 25% | 14% | 4% |
| 3/1/2004 | 34% | 28% | 22% | 5% |
| 3/17/2004 | 33% | 31% | 23% | 7% |
| 6/17/2004 | 27% | 30% | 20% | 7% |
| 7/3/2004 | 32% | 31% | 24% | 7% |
| 11/22/2004 | 36% | 32% | 23% | 7% |
| 2/9/2005 | 37% | 35% | 27% | 9% |
| 3/21/2005 | 38% | 37% | 26% | 7% |
| 6/7/2005 | 44% | 39% | 32% | 7% |
| 12/8/2005 | 46% | 45% | 34% | 11% |
| 12/31/2005 | 46% | 43% | 34% | 11% |
| 2/6/2006 | 51% | 48% | 40% | 13% |
| 3/28/2006 | 54% | 47% | 45% | 13% |
| 4/6/2006 | 55% | 51% | 38% | 14% |
| 8/31/2006 | 52% | 54% | 41% | 14% |
| 12/4/2006 | 61% | 54% | 41% | 16% |
| 12/30/2006 | 58% | 55% | 40% | 15% |
| 9/5/2007 | 66% | 60% | 50% | 17% |
| 1/13/2008 | 64% | 63% | 47% | 21% |
| 5/11/2008 | 69% | 68% | 49% | 19% |
| 8/10/2008 | 70% | 67% | 55% | 27% |
| 8/31/2008 | 73% | 68% | 52% | 24% |
| 12/4/2008 | 72% | 68% | 51% | 24% |
| 12/20/2008 | 67% | 63% | 52% | 26% |
| 4/19/2009 | 74% | 71% | 60% | 30% |
| 6/21/2009 | 74% | 75% | 58% | 31% |
| 9/14/2009 | 78% | 69% | 61% | 29% |
| 12/27/2009 | 77% | 67% | 56% | 25% |
| 1/19/2010 | 79% | 70% | 57% | 27% |
| 5/30/2010 | 76% | 74% | 62% | 30% |
| 9/13/2010 | 78% | 68% | 56% | 27% |
| 11/24/2010 | 75% | 71% | 58% | 27% |
| 12/21/2010 | 71% | 71% | 63% | 33% |
| 5/22/2011 | 72% | 72% | 57% | 28% |
| 8/26/2011 | 76% | 70% | 60% | 30% |
| 2/19/2012 | 72% | 74% | 65% | 35% |
| 4/3/2012 | 75% | 77% | 62% | 39% |
| 11/10/2012 | 76% | 78% | 66% | 41% |
| 12/9/2012 | 75% | 74% | 62% | 41% |
| 5/19/2013 | 80% | 78% | 69% | 43% |
| 9/30/2013 | 81% | 77% | 68% | 47% |
| 4/12/2015 | 75% | 73% | 66% | 40% |
| 7/12/2015 | 75% | 76% | 62% | 48% |
| 11/15/2015 | 75% | 74% | 67% | 47% |
| 4/4/2016 | 80% | 78% | 66% | 49% |
| 11/6/2016 | 77% | 81% | 75% | 51% |
| 1/10/2018 | 67% | 70% | 68% | 50% |
| 2/7/2019 | 77% | 77% | 79% | 59% |
| 2/8/2021 | 70% | 86% | 79% | 64% |
| 9/5/2023 | 78% | 87% | 81% | 70% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
| White | Black | Hispanic | Asian* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/31/2000 | 1% | 1% | ||
| 9/10/2001 | 8% | 3% | ||
| 9/19/2001 | 7% | 6% | ||
| 10/1/2001 | 6% | 3% | ||
| 10/7/2001 | 7% | |||
| 10/18/2001 | 8% | 5% | ||
| 12/23/2001 | 9% | 5% | ||
| 1/31/2002 | 9% | 5% | ||
| 5/19/2002 | 11% | 6% | ||
| 7/26/2002 | 11% | 6% | ||
| 10/6/2002 | 14% | 12% | ||
| 10/27/2002 | 13% | 7% | ||
| 11/24/2002 | 15% | 11% | ||
| 12/22/2002 | 13% | 4% | ||
| 3/24/2003 | 16% | 7% | ||
| 3/25/2003 | 17% | 7% | ||
| 5/20/2003 | 17% | 8% | ||
| 6/24/2003 | 18% | 9% | ||
| 8/3/2003 | 18% | 12% | ||
| 12/14/2003 | 20% | 12% | ||
| 3/1/2004 | 25% | 13% | ||
| 3/17/2004 | 25% | 20% | ||
| 6/17/2004 | 25% | 10% | ||
| 7/3/2004 | 26% | 14% | ||
| 11/22/2004 | 27% | 16% | ||
| 11/30/2004 | 28% | |||
| 2/9/2005 | 32% | 13% | ||
| 3/21/2005 | 30% | 14% | ||
| 6/7/2005 | 34% | 18% | ||
| 12/8/2005 | 39% | 24% | ||
| 12/31/2005 | 38% | 22% | ||
| 2/6/2006 | 42% | 24% | ||
| 3/28/2006 | 40% | 35% | ||
| 4/6/2006 | 43% | 32% | ||
| 8/31/2006 | 44% | 34% | ||
| 12/4/2006 | 48% | 33% | ||
| 12/30/2006 | 45% | 37% | ||
| 9/5/2007 | 51% | 42% | ||
| 12/2/2007 | 56% | 38% | ||
| 1/13/2008 | 53% | 41% | ||
| 5/11/2008 | 56% | 41% | ||
| 8/10/2008 | 57% | 48% | ||
| 8/31/2008 | 57% | 46% | ||
| 12/4/2008 | 59% | 39% | ||
| 12/20/2008 | 59% | 43% | ||
| 4/19/2009 | 64% | 43% | ||
| 6/21/2009 | 65% | |||
| 9/14/2009 | 68% | 51% | ||
| 12/27/2009 | 63% | 50% | ||
| 1/19/2010 | 63% | 49% | ||
| 5/30/2010 | 66% | 54% | ||
| 9/13/2010 | 64% | 50% | 49% | |
| 11/24/2010 | 65% | 49% | 43% | |
| 12/21/2010 | 66% | 51% | 49% | |
| 5/22/2011 | 65% | 49% | 46% | |
| 8/26/2011 | 66% | 49% | 51% | |
| 1/8/2012 | 67% | 60% | ||
| 2/19/2012 | 69% | 57% | 44% | |
| 4/3/2012 | 70% | 54% | 51% | |
| 11/10/2012 | 72% | 60% | 47% | |
| 12/9/2012 | 70% | 53% | 49% | |
| 5/19/2013 | 74% | 64% | 53% | |
| 9/30/2013 | 74% | 62% | 56% | |
| 4/12/2015 | 70% | 52% | 50% | |
| 7/12/2015 | 71% | 56% | 53% | |
| 11/15/2015 | 73% | 55% | 47% | |
| 4/4/2016 | 75% | 66% | 47% | |
| 11/6/2016 | 78% | 65% | 58% | |
| 1/18/2018 | 72% | 57% | 47% | |
| 2/7/2019 | 79% | 66% | 61% | |
| 2/8/2021 | 80% | 71% | 65% | |
| 9/5/2023 | 83% | 68% | 75% | 84% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
| Men | Women | |
|---|---|---|
| 3/31/2000 | 1% | 1% |
| 3/1/2001 | 7% | 5% |
| 9/10/2001 | 8% | 6% |
| 9/19/2001 | 9% | 5% |
| 10/1/2001 | 7% | 5% |
| 10/7/2001 | 8% | 5% |
| 10/18/2001 | 11% | 4% |
| 11/18/2001 | 9% | 6% |
| 12/23/2001 | 10% | 7% |
| 1/31/2002 | 10% | 7% |
| 5/19/2002 | 12% | 9% |
| 7/26/2002 | 12% | 9% |
| 10/6/2002 | 17% | 12% |
| 10/27/2002 | 15% | 9% |
| 11/24/2002 | 18% | 11% |
| 12/22/2002 | 14% | 11% |
| 3/24/2003 | 18% | 13% |
| 3/25/2003 | 18% | 14% |
| 5/20/2003 | 19% | 13% |
| 6/24/2003 | 19% | 14% |
| 8/3/2003 | 19% | 15% |
| 12/14/2003 | 22% | 17% |
| 3/1/2004 | 27% | 21% |
| 3/17/2004 | 30% | 22% |
| 6/17/2004 | 27% | 20% |
| 7/3/2004 | 28% | 23% |
| 11/22/2004 | 29% | 23% |
| 11/30/2004 | 27% | 24% |
| 2/9/2005 | 31% | 27% |
| 3/21/2005 | 31% | 28% |
| 6/7/2005 | 36% | 30% |
| 12/8/2005 | 40% | 34% |
| 12/31/2005 | 39% | 32% |
| 2/6/2006 | 42% | 39% |
| 3/28/2006 | 45% | 39% |
| 4/6/2006 | 46% | 39% |
| 8/31/2006 | 47% | 40% |
| 12/4/2006 | 49% | 43% |
| 12/30/2006 | 47% | 42% |
| 9/5/2007 | 54% | 49% |
| 12/2/2007 | 58% | 51% |
| 1/13/2008 | 55% | 48% |
| 5/11/2008 | 57% | 52% |
| 8/10/2008 | 58% | 58% |
| 8/31/2008 | 59% | 54% |
| 12/4/2008 | 61% | 52% |
| 12/20/2008 | 56% | 54% |
| 4/19/2009 | 63% | 61% |
| 6/21/2009 | 62% | 61% |
| 9/14/2009 | 64% | 60% |
| 12/27/2009 | 61% | 58% |
| 1/19/2010 | 65% | 58% |
| 5/30/2010 | 64% | 64% |
| 9/13/2010 | 62% | 59% |
| 11/24/2010 | 60% | 61% |
| 12/21/2010 | 65% | 60% |
| 5/22/2011 | 60% | 60% |
| 8/26/2011 | 65% | 59% |
| 1/8/2012 | 67% | 67% |
| 2/19/2012 | 66% | 64% |
| 4/3/2012 | 66% | 66% |
| 11/10/2012 | 68% | 67% |
| 12/9/2012 | 65% | 66% |
| 5/19/2013 | 71% | 69% |
| 9/30/2013 | 70% | 70% |
| 4/12/2015 | 65% | 66% |
| 7/12/2015 | 67% | 67% |
| 11/15/2015 | 67% | 67% |
| 4/4/2016 | 72% | 68% |
| 11/6/2016 | 74% | 72% |
| 1/10/2018 | 66% | 64% |
| 2/7/2019 | 73% | 73% |
| 2/8/2021 | 77% | 77% |
| 9/5/2023 | 79% | 80% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
| Less than $30,000 | $30,000- $49,999 | $50,000- $74,999 | $75,000+ | Less than $30,000 (NPORS) | $30,000- $69,999 (NPORS) | $70,000- $99,999 (NPORS) | $100,000+ (NPORS) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/31/2000 | 0% | 0% | 1% | 2% | ||||
| 9/10/2001 | 2% | 4% | 8% | 20% | ||||
| 9/19/2001 | 3% | 8% | 10% | 16% | ||||
| 10/1/2001 | 2% | 5% | 8% | 14% | ||||
| 10/7/2001 | 3% | 4% | ||||||
| 10/18/2001 | 4% | 5% | 10% | 19% | ||||
| 11/18/2001 | 4% | 7% | 11% | 18% | ||||
| 12/23/2001 | 4% | 7% | 10% | 23% | ||||
| 1/31/2002 | 4% | 6% | 11% | 22% | ||||
| 5/19/2002 | 5% | 8% | 13% | 25% | ||||
| 7/26/2002 | 4% | 10% | 14% | 23% | ||||
| 10/6/2002 | 6% | 11% | 26% | 32% | ||||
| 10/27/2002 | 7% | 10% | 12% | 26% | ||||
| 11/24/2002 | 7% | 13% | 16% | 34% | ||||
| 12/22/2002 | 5% | 12% | 16% | 27% | ||||
| 3/24/2003 | 7% | 11% | 22% | 32% | ||||
| 3/25/2003 | 7% | 11% | 22% | 33% | ||||
| 5/20/2003 | 7% | 14% | 25% | 30% | ||||
| 6/24/2003 | 7% | 14% | 21% | 37% | ||||
| 8/3/2003 | 8% | 14% | 22% | 38% | ||||
| 12/14/2003 | 9% | 16% | 25% | 42% | ||||
| 3/1/2004 | 10% | 23% | 36% | 46% | ||||
| 3/17/2004 | 13% | 25% | 27% | 49% | ||||
| 6/17/2004 | 12% | 18% | 31% | 48% | ||||
| 7/3/2004 | 12% | 19% | 35% | 48% | ||||
| 11/22/2004 | 13% | 25% | 34% | 54% | ||||
| 11/30/2004 | 12% | 24% | 37% | 50% | ||||
| 2/9/2005 | 15% | 27% | 32% | 58% | ||||
| 3/21/2005 | 15% | 27% | 38% | 56% | ||||
| 6/7/2005 | 18% | 29% | 44% | 63% | ||||
| 12/8/2005 | 21% | 30% | 46% | 64% | ||||
| 12/31/2005 | 17% | 30% | 52% | 63% | ||||
| 2/6/2006 | 22% | 32% | 51% | 67% | ||||
| 3/28/2006 | 29% | 40% | 52% | 69% | ||||
| 4/6/2006 | 22% | 44% | 49% | 68% | ||||
| 8/31/2006 | 22% | 39% | 56% | 74% | ||||
| 12/4/2006 | 26% | 44% | 50% | 77% | ||||
| 12/30/2006 | 24% | 46% | 61% | 73% | ||||
| 12/2/2007 | 40% | 52% | 69% | 78% | ||||
| 1/13/2008 | 28% | 51% | 61% | 77% | ||||
| 5/11/2008 | 31% | 53% | 67% | 82% | ||||
| 8/10/2008 | 38% | 59% | 68% | 79% | ||||
| 8/31/2008 | 36% | 53% | 71% | 83% | ||||
| 12/4/2008 | 31% | 61% | 73% | 85% | ||||
| 12/20/2008 | 33% | 57% | 69% | 83% | ||||
| 4/19/2009 | 39% | 61% | 79% | 85% | ||||
| 6/21/2009 | 45% | 53% | 83% | 87% | ||||
| 9/14/2009 | 42% | 66% | 82% | 88% | ||||
| 12/27/2009 | 41% | 62% | 78% | 83% | ||||
| 1/19/2010 | 45% | 61% | 74% | 87% | ||||
| 5/30/2010 | 42% | 65% | 79% | 87% | ||||
| 9/13/2010 | 40% | 64% | 80% | 88% | ||||
| 11/24/2010 | 42% | 66% | 75% | 89% | ||||
| 12/21/2010 | 41% | 65% | 81% | 88% | ||||
| 5/22/2011 | 40% | 70% | 79% | 88% | ||||
| 8/26/2011 | 41% | 65% | 81% | 89% | ||||
| 1/8/2012 | 47% | 67% | 81% | 88% | ||||
| 2/19/2012 | 45% | 64% | 82% | 91% | ||||
| 4/3/2012 | 46% | 68% | 85% | 87% | ||||
| 11/10/2012 | 47% | 71% | 83% | 90% | ||||
| 12/9/2012 | 46% | 69% | 79% | 89% | ||||
| 5/19/2013 | 54% | 70% | 84% | 88% | ||||
| 9/30/2013 | 52% | 71% | 85% | 91% | ||||
| 4/12/2015 | 44% | 72% | 83% | 90% | ||||
| 7/12/2015 | 47% | 64% | 78% | 89% | ||||
| 11/15/2015 | 45% | 68% | 81% | 88% | ||||
| 4/4/2016 | 49% | 73% | 80% | 91% | ||||
| 11/6/2016 | 53% | 71% | 83% | 93% | ||||
| 1/10/2018 | 45% | 67% | 79% | 87% | ||||
| 2/7/2019 | 56% | 72% | 87% | 92% | ||||
| 2/8/2021 | 57% | 74% | 87% | 92% | ||||
| 9/5/2023 | 57% | 76% | 88% | 95% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
| Less than high school graduate | High school graduate | High school or less | Some college | College graduate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/31/2000 | 1% | 0% | 1% | ||
| 3/1/2001 | 2% | 4% | 8% | 11% | |
| 9/10/2001 | 2% | 5% | 8% | 13% | |
| 9/19/2001 | 1% | 4% | 11% | 12% | |
| 10/1/2001 | 5% | 6% | 10% | ||
| 10/7/2001 | 4% | 8% | 11% | ||
| 10/18/2001 | 3% | 6% | 9% | 12% | |
| 11/18/2001 | 1% | 5% | 11% | 14% | |
| 12/23/2001 | 3% | 4% | 11% | 17% | |
| 1/31/2002 | 4% | 4% | 11% | 16% | |
| 5/19/2002 | 3% | 6% | 14% | 18% | |
| 7/26/2002 | 3% | 7% | 15% | 17% | |
| 10/6/2002 | 3% | 10% | 20% | 24% | |
| 10/27/2002 | 9% | 6% | 13% | 22% | |
| 11/24/2002 | 4% | 10% | 18% | 24% | |
| 12/22/2002 | 2% | 7% | 15% | 23% | |
| 3/24/2003 | 4% | 12% | 17% | 26% | |
| 3/25/2003 | 4% | 12% | 18% | 27% | |
| 5/20/2003 | 5% | 11% | 20% | 25% | |
| 6/24/2003 | 5% | 10% | 24% | 24% | |
| 8/3/2003 | 4% | 12% | 20% | 29% | |
| 12/14/2003 | 9% | 12% | 24% | 31% | |
| 3/1/2004 | 7% | 16% | 31% | 40% | |
| 3/17/2004 | 10% | 19% | 31% | 39% | |
| 6/17/2004 | 8% | 16% | 29% | 38% | |
| 7/3/2004 | 6% | 18% | 28% | 42% | |
| 11/22/2004 | 7% | 14% | 31% | 47% | |
| 11/30/2004 | 13% | 31% | 47% | ||
| 2/9/2005 | 12% | 19% | 34% | 47% | |
| 3/21/2005 | 9% | 20% | 36% | 47% | |
| 6/7/2005 | 13% | 23% | 39% | 52% | |
| 12/8/2005 | 13% | 27% | 44% | 56% | |
| 12/31/2005 | 14% | 25% | 44% | 55% | |
| 2/6/2006 | 19% | 29% | 50% | 58% | |
| 3/28/2006 | 19% | 30% | 49% | 63% | |
| 4/6/2006 | 17% | 32% | 48% | 63% | |
| 8/31/2006 | 12% | 31% | 52% | 66% | |
| 12/4/2006 | 17% | 34% | 55% | 69% | |
| 12/30/2006 | 16% | 32% | 53% | 68% | |
| 9/5/2007 | 26% | 39% | 63% | 72% | |
| 12/2/2007 | 22% | 43% | 63% | 75% | |
| 1/13/2008 | 21% | 40% | 61% | 72% | |
| 5/11/2008 | 29% | 39% | 64% | 78% | |
| 8/10/2008 | 24% | 48% | 68% | 78% | |
| 8/31/2008 | 22% | 44% | 67% | 82% | |
| 12/4/2008 | 20% | 45% | 67% | 81% | |
| 12/20/2008 | 17% | 43% | 65% | 84% | |
| 4/19/2009 | 27% | 51% | 69% | 82% | |
| 6/21/2009 | 46% | 75% | 86% | ||
| 9/14/2009 | 25% | 54% | 71% | 84% | |
| 12/27/2009 | 24% | 45% | 73% | 82% | |
| 1/19/2010 | 28% | 49% | 71% | 82% | |
| 5/30/2010 | 31% | 51% | 75% | 86% | |
| 9/13/2010 | 22% | 49% | 72% | 82% | |
| 11/24/2010 | 22% | 50% | 71% | 82% | |
| 12/21/2010 | 27% | 51% | 76% | 80% | |
| 5/22/2011 | 22% | 48% | 71% | 83% | |
| 8/26/2011 | 22% | 52% | 73% | 85% | |
| 1/8/2012 | 23% | 56% | 80% | 87% | |
| 2/19/2012 | 25% | 52% | 76% | 90% | |
| 4/3/2012 | 34% | 55% | 74% | 87% | |
| 11/10/2012 | 29% | 55% | 78% | 87% | |
| 12/9/2012 | 27% | 56% | 73% | 85% | |
| 5/19/2013 | 37% | 57% | 78% | 89% | |
| 9/30/2013 | 28% | 58% | 80% | 90% | |
| 4/12/2015 | 22% | 53% | 75% | 86% | |
| 7/12/2015 | 30% | 54% | 74% | 87% | |
| 11/15/2015 | 22% | 56% | 75% | 88% | |
| 4/4/2016 | 24% | 59% | 80% | 90% | |
| 11/6/2016 | 34% | 62% | 80% | 91% | |
| 1/10/2018 | 24% | 56% | 68% | 85% | |
| 2/7/2019 | 46% | 59% | 77% | 93% | |
| 2/8/2021 | 59% | 80% | 94% | ||
| 9/5/2023 | 65% | 83% | 92% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
| Urban | Suburban | Rural | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/31/2000 | 1% | 1% | 0% |
| 3/1/2001 | 7% | 7% | 2% |
| 9/10/2001 | 8% | 8% | 3% |
| 9/19/2001 | 9% | 8% | 3% |
| 10/1/2001 | 6% | 7% | 3% |
| 10/7/2001 | 7% | 9% | 2% |
| 10/18/2001 | 9% | 9% | 2% |
| 12/23/2001 | 11% | 10% | 4% |
| 1/31/2002 | 9% | 11% | 4% |
| 5/19/2002 | 10% | 14% | 4% |
| 7/26/2002 | 12% | 13% | 3% |
| 10/6/2002 | 18% | 17% | 6% |
| 10/27/2002 | 16% | 13% | 6% |
| 11/24/2002 | 18% | 17% | 6% |
| 12/22/2002 | 16% | 13% | 6% |
| 3/24/2003 | 18% | 17% | 8% |
| 3/25/2003 | 19% | 17% | 9% |
| 5/20/2003 | 20% | 17% | 8% |
| 6/24/2003 | 18% | 20% | 7% |
| 8/3/2003 | 20% | 19% | 9% |
| 12/14/2003 | 21% | 23% | 10% |
| 3/1/2004 | 26% | 29% | 10% |
| 3/17/2004 | 27% | 29% | 14% |
| 6/17/2004 | 27% | 27% | 12% |
| 7/3/2004 | 29% | 29% | 12% |
| 11/22/2004 | 29% | 28% | 16% |
| 11/30/2004 | 29% | 29% | 11% |
| 2/9/2005 | 29% | 33% | 19% |
| 3/21/2005 | 32% | 33% | 18% |
| 6/7/2005 | 38% | 34% | 21% |
| 12/8/2005 | 41% | 40% | 23% |
| 12/31/2005 | 36% | 40% | 23% |
| 2/6/2006 | 42% | 46% | 24% |
| 3/28/2006 | 38% | 39% | 19% |
| 4/6/2006 | 45% | 47% | 25% |
| 8/31/2006 | 46% | 46% | 28% |
| 12/4/2006 | 47% | 51% | 29% |
| 12/30/2006 | 48% | 46% | 32% |
| 9/5/2007 | 52% | 54% | 35% |
| 12/2/2007 | 60% | 56% | 41% |
| 1/13/2008 | 54% | 56% | 34% |
| 5/11/2008 | 56% | 59% | 38% |
| 8/10/2008 | 63% | 59% | 43% |
| 8/31/2008 | 57% | 62% | 40% |
| 12/4/2008 | 55% | 61% | 44% |
| 12/20/2008 | 54% | 57% | 36% |
| 4/19/2009 | 62% | 63% | 42% |
| 6/21/2009 | 58% | 60% | 43% |
| 9/14/2009 | 60% | 63% | 50% |
| 12/27/2009 | 60% | 64% | 47% |
| 1/19/2010 | 64% | 63% | 52% |
| 5/30/2010 | 67% | 69% | 49% |
| 9/13/2010 | 62% | 63% | 51% |
| 11/24/2010 | 61% | 65% | 55% |
| 12/21/2010 | 62% | 68% | 52% |
| 5/22/2011 | 62% | 63% | 52% |
| 8/26/2011 | 64% | 65% | 55% |
| 1/8/2012 | 74% | 69% | 48% |
| 2/19/2012 | 65% | 70% | 53% |
| 4/3/2012 | 67% | 70% | 53% |
| 11/10/2012 | 70% | 71% | 55% |
| 12/9/2012 | 64% | 67% | 63% |
| 5/19/2013 | 70% | 73% | 62% |
| 9/30/2013 | 70% | 74% | 60% |
| 4/12/2015 | 65% | 69% | 58% |
| 7/12/2015 | 68% | 72% | 50% |
| 11/15/2015 | 67% | 71% | 56% |
| 4/4/2016 | 72% | 71% | 61% |
| 11/6/2016 | 73% | 76% | 63% |
| 1/10/2018 | 67% | 70% | 58% |
| 2/7/2019 | 75% | 79% | 63% |
| 2/8/2021 | 77% | 79% | 72% |
| 9/5/2023 | 77% | 86% | 73% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Smartphone dependency over time
Today, 15% of U.S. adults are “smartphone-only” internet users – meaning they own a smartphone, but do not have home broadband service.
| U.S. adults | |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 8% |
| 2015 | 13% |
| 2016 | 12% |
| 2018 | 20% |
| 2019 | 17% |
| 2021 | 15% |
| 2023 | 15% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Who is smartphone dependent?
Reliance on smartphones for online access is especially common among Americans with lower household incomes and those with lower levels of formal education.
| Ages 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12% | 9% | 7% | 3% |
| 2015 | 19% | 16% | 11% | 7% |
| 2016 | 17% | 13% | 11% | 7% |
| 2018 | 28% | 24% | 16% | 10% |
| 2019 | 22% | 18% | 14% | 12% |
| 2021 | 28% | 11% | 13% | 12% |
| 2023 | 20% | 11% | 14% | 16% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
| White | Black | Hispanic | Asian* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 6% | 10% | 16% | |
| 2015 | 10% | 19% | 23% | |
| 2016 | 9% | 15% | 23% | |
| 2018 | 14% | 24% | 35% | |
| 2019 | 12% | 23% | 25% | |
| 2021 | 12% | 17% | 25% | |
| 2023 | 12% | 21% | 20% | 14% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
| Men | Women | |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 9% | 8% |
| 2015 | 14% | 13% |
| 2016 | 12% | 12% |
| 2018 | 20% | 19% |
| 2019 | 17% | 16% |
| 2021 | 14% | 15% |
| 2023 | 15% | 14% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
| Less than $30,000 | $30,000- $49,999 | $50,000- $74,999 | $75,000+ | Less than $30,000 (NPORS) | $30,000- $69,999 (NPORS) | $70,000- $99,999 (NPORS) | $100,000+ (NPORS) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12% | 9% | 5% | 5% | ||||
| 2015 | 20% | 15% | 10% | 6% | ||||
| 2016 | 21% | 12% | 10% | 5% | ||||
| 2018 | 31% | 22% | 14% | 9% | ||||
| 2019 | 26% | 20% | 10% | 6% | ||||
| 2021 | 27% | 19% | 6% | 6% | ||||
| 2023 | 28% | 19% | 9% | 4% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
| Year | Less than high school graduate | High school graduate | High school or less | Some college | College graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 14% | 11% | 8% | 4% | |
| 2015 | 21% | 17% | 14% | 6% | |
| 2016 | 27% | 15% | 12% | 5% | |
| 2018 | 39% | 22% | 21% | 10% | |
| 2019 | 32% | 24% | 16% | 4% | |
| 2021 | 23% | 15% | 4% | ||
| 2023 | 24% | 13% | 6% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
| Urban | Suburban | Rural | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 9% | 7% | 9% |
| 2015 | 15% | 12% | 15% |
| 2016 | 12% | 12% | 14% |
| 2018 | 22% | 17% | 17% |
| 2019 | 17% | 13% | 20% |
| 2021 | 16% | 12% | 17% |
| 2023 | 17% | 11% | 18% |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Find out more
This fact sheet was compiled by Research Assistant Olivia Sidoti, with help from Research Analyst Risa Gelles-Watnick, Research Analyst Michelle Faverio, Digital Producer Sara Atske, Associate Information Graphics Designer Kaitlyn Radde and Temporary Researcher Eugenie Park.
Follow these links for more in-depth analysis of the impact of internet and broadband on American life.
- Americans’ Social Media Use Jan. 31, 2024
- Americans’ Use of Mobile Technology and Home Broadband Jan. 31 2024
- Q&A: How and why we’re changing the way we study tech adoption Jan. 31, 2024
Find more reports and blog posts related to internet and technology.
CORRECTION (Feb. 1, 2024): A previous version of this fact sheet provided incorrect percentages for who subscribes to home broadband in 2023 by racial and ethnic group. This change does not affect the analysis or conclusions.