Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Internet, Broadband Fact Sheet

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.


Internet use
% of U.S. adults who say they use the internet
YearU.S. adults
200052%
200155%
200259%
200361%
200463%
200568%
200671%
200774%
200874%
200976%
201076%
201179%
201283%
201384%
201484%
201586%
201688%
201889%
201990%
202193%
202395%

Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2000-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2000-2023. Data for each year is based on a pooled analysis of all surveys conducted during that year.

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.


Internet use by age
% of U.S. adults who say they use the internet, by age
YearAges 18-2930-4950-6465+
200070%61%46%14%
200172%65%50%14%
200276%70%54%18%
200378%72%56%22%
200477%75%61%24%
200583%79%66%28%
200686%82%70%32%
200789%85%71%35%
200889%84%72%38%
200992%84%75%40%
201092%85%74%43%
201194%87%77%46%
201296%91%79%54%
201397%92%81%56%
201497%92%81%57%
201597%95%82%63%
201699%96%87%64%
201898%97%87%66%
2019100%97%88%73%
202199%98%96%75%
202397%98%96%88%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2000-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2000-2023. Data for each year is based on a pooled analysis of all surveys conducted during that year.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER


Internet use by race and ethnicity
% of U.S. adults who say they use the internet, by race and ethnicity
 YearWhiteBlackHispanicAsian*
200053%38% 
200157%40% 
200260%47% 
200363%50% 
200465%49% 
200570%55% 
200672%59% 
200775%64% 
200875%63% 
200979%69% 
201078%68%71%
201181%72%72%
201284%77%79%
201385%79%80%
201485%79%81%
201587%81%82%
201688%85%88%
201889%87%88%
201992%85%86%
202193%91%95%
202396%91%97%98%
* Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only. 
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2000-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanic adults are of any race. Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2000-2023. Data for each year is based on a pooled analysis of all surveys conducted during that year.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER


Internet use by gender
% of U.S. adults who say they use the internet, by gender
 YearMenWomen
200054%50%
200157%53%
200261%57%
200363%60%
200466%61%
200569%67%
200672%70%
200775%73%
200874%73%
200977%75%
201077%76%
201180%78%
201283%82%
201384%84%
201484%84%
201586%86%
201689%86%
201889%88%
201990%91%
202194%93%
202394%96%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2000-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2000-2023. Data for each year is based on a pooled analysis of all surveys conducted during that year.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER


Internet use by income
% of U.S. adults who say they use the internet, by annual household income
 YearLess 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)
200034%58%72%81%
200136%60%75%84%
200239%64%76%85%
200341%66%81%87%
200444%68%83%88%
200549%73%86%92%
200652%75%86%92%
200758%74%86%93%
200854%78%88%95%
200960%79%92%95%
201061%81%88%95%
201164%85%90%97%
201270%87%93%97%
201372%86%93%97%
201474%86%93%96%
201576%86%94%97%
201679%90%95%98%
201881%93%97%98%
201982%93%97%98%
202186%91%98%99%
202387%96%98%99%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2000-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2000-2023. Data for each year is based on a pooled analysis of all surveys conducted during that year.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER


Internet use by education
% of U.S. adults who use the internet, by education level
 YearLess than high school graduateHigh school graduateHigh school or lessSome collegeCollege graduate
200019%40% 67%78%
200121%43% 68%81%
200224%48% 73%83%
200325%51% 75%85%
200427%53% 76%86%
200532%58% 80%89%
200637%61% 83%91%
200740%65% 85%92%
200838%65% 86%93%
200940%68% 87%94%
201041%68% 87%93%
201143%72% 89%94%
201252%75% 91%96%
201354%75% 92%96%
201455%76% 91%96%
201562%78% 92%96%
201668%81% 94%98%
201865%84% 93%97%
201971%84% 95%98%
2021  86%97%98%
202390%98%99%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2000-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. The Center has used several different question wordings to identify broadband users in recent years, which may account for some variance in broadband adoption figures between 2015 and 2018. Our survey conducted in July 2015 used a directly comparable question wording to the one conducted in January 2018. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. “High school or less” includes both “Less than high school graduate” and “High school graduate.” The 2021 and 2023 samples are too small to separate these two categories. Respondents who did not give an answer or gave other responses are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2000-2023. Data for each year is based on a pooled analysis of all surveys conducted during that year.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER


Internet use by community type
% of U.S. adults who say they use the internet, by community type
 YearUrbanSuburbanRural
200053%56%42%
200155%59%46%
200261%63%49%
200364%65%51%
200465%67%53%
200569%70%60%
200671%73%62%
200775%77%63%
200875%77%63%
200973%76%68%
201078%79%69%
201180%81%73%
201284%84%75%
201386%85%78%
201485%85%79%
201587%88%78%
201689%90%81%
201892%90%78%
201991%94%85%
202195%94%90%
202395%97%93%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2000-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2000-2023. Data for each year is based on a pooled analysis of all surveys conducted during that year.

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.


Home broadband use
% of U.S. adults who say they subscribe to home broadband
 U.S. adults
3/31/20001%
3/1/20016%
9/10/20017%
9/19/20017%
10/1/20016%
10/7/20016%
10/18/20018%
11/18/20018%
12/23/20019%
1/31/20029%
5/19/200211%
7/26/200211%
10/6/200215%
10/27/200212%
11/24/200215%
12/22/200212%
3/24/200315%
3/25/200316%
5/20/200316%
6/24/200316%
8/3/200317%
12/14/200319%
3/1/200424%
3/17/200425%
6/17/200423%
7/3/200425%
11/22/200426%
11/30/200425%
2/9/200529%
3/21/200529%
6/7/200533%
12/8/200537%
12/31/200536%
2/6/200641%
3/28/200642%
4/6/200642%
8/31/200643%
12/4/200646%
12/30/200644%
9/5/200751%
12/2/200754%
1/13/200851%
5/11/200854%
8/10/200858%
8/31/200857%
12/4/200856%
12/20/200855%
4/19/200962%
6/21/200962%
9/14/200962%
12/27/200959%
1/19/201061%
5/30/201064%
9/13/201060%
11/24/201060%
12/21/201062%
5/22/201160%
8/26/201162%
1/8/201267%
2/19/201265%
4/3/201266%
11/10/201268%
12/9/201265%
5/19/201370%
9/30/201370%
4/12/201566%
7/12/201567%
11/15/201567%
4/4/201670%
11/6/201673%
1/10/201865%
2/7/201973%
2/8/202177%
9/5/202380%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2000-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. The Center has used several different question wordings to identify broadband users in recent years, which may account for some variance in broadband adoption figures between 2015 and 2018. Our survey conducted in July 2015 used a directly comparable question wording to the one conducted in January 2018. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. Respondents who did not give an answer or gave other responses are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2000-2023.

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.


Home broadband use by age
% of U.S. adults who say they subscribe to home broadband, by age
 Ages 18-2930-4950-6465+
3/31/20001%1%0% 
3/1/20017%8%5%1%
9/10/20019%9%6%1%
9/19/200110%9%7%1%
10/1/20018%8%5% 
10/7/20018%9%4%1%
10/18/200110%9%7%2%
11/18/200110%10%5%2%
12/23/200112%11%5%2%
1/31/200214%10%7%1%
5/19/200214%13%9%2%
7/26/200212%14%9%3%
10/6/200218%19%13%2%
10/27/200219%17%7%1%
11/24/200222%18%11%2%
12/22/200217%14%11%3%
3/24/200322%20%12%2%
3/25/200323%20%13%3%
5/20/200320%19%16%4%
6/24/200324%19%15%3%
8/3/200325%21%14%3%
12/14/200328%25%14%4%
3/1/200434%28%22%5%
3/17/200433%31%23%7%
6/17/200427%30%20%7%
7/3/200432%31%24%7%
11/22/200436%32%23%7%
2/9/200537%35%27%9%
3/21/200538%37%26%7%
6/7/200544%39%32%7%
12/8/200546%45%34%11%
12/31/200546%43%34%11%
2/6/200651%48%40%13%
3/28/200654%47%45%13%
4/6/200655%51%38%14%
8/31/200652%54%41%14%
12/4/200661%54%41%16%
12/30/200658%55%40%15%
9/5/200766%60%50%17%
1/13/200864%63%47%21%
5/11/200869%68%49%19%
8/10/200870%67%55%27%
8/31/200873%68%52%24%
12/4/200872%68%51%24%
12/20/200867%63%52%26%
4/19/200974%71%60%30%
6/21/200974%75%58%31%
9/14/200978%69%61%29%
12/27/200977%67%56%25%
1/19/201079%70%57%27%
5/30/201076%74%62%30%
9/13/201078%68%56%27%
11/24/201075%71%58%27%
12/21/201071%71%63%33%
5/22/201172%72%57%28%
8/26/201176%70%60%30%
2/19/201272%74%65%35%
4/3/201275%77%62%39%
11/10/201276%78%66%41%
12/9/201275%74%62%41%
5/19/201380%78%69%43%
9/30/201381%77%68%47%
4/12/201575%73%66%40%
7/12/201575%76%62%48%
11/15/201575%74%67%47%
4/4/201680%78%66%49%
11/6/201677%81%75%51%
1/10/201867%70%68%50%
2/7/201977%77%79%59%
2/8/202170%86%79%64%
9/5/202378%87%81%70%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2000-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. The Center has used several different question wordings to identify broadband users in recent years, which may account for some variance in broadband adoption figures between 2015 and 2018. Our survey conducted in July 2015 used a directly comparable question wording to the one conducted in January 2018. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. Respondents who did not give an answer or gave other responses are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2000-2023.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER


Home broadband use by race and ethnicity
% of U.S. adults who say they subscribe to home broadband, by race and ethnicity
 WhiteBlackHispanicAsian*
3/31/20001%1% 
9/10/20018%3% 
9/19/20017%6% 
10/1/20016%3% 
10/7/20017%  
10/18/20018%5% 
12/23/20019%5% 
1/31/20029%5% 
5/19/200211%6% 
7/26/200211%6% 
10/6/200214%12% 
10/27/200213%7% 
11/24/200215%11% 
12/22/200213%4% 
3/24/200316%7% 
3/25/200317%7% 
5/20/200317%8% 
6/24/200318%9% 
8/3/200318%12% 
12/14/200320%12% 
3/1/200425%13% 
3/17/200425%20% 
6/17/200425%10% 
7/3/200426%14% 
11/22/200427%16% 
11/30/200428%  
2/9/200532%13% 
3/21/200530%14% 
6/7/200534%18% 
12/8/200539%24% 
12/31/200538%22% 
2/6/200642%24% 
3/28/200640%35% 
4/6/200643%32% 
8/31/200644%34% 
12/4/200648%33% 
12/30/200645%37% 
9/5/200751%42% 
12/2/200756%38% 
1/13/200853%41% 
5/11/200856%41% 
8/10/200857%48% 
8/31/200857%46% 
12/4/200859%39% 
12/20/200859%43% 
4/19/200964%43% 
6/21/200965%  
9/14/200968%51% 
12/27/200963%50% 
1/19/201063%49% 
5/30/201066%54% 
9/13/201064%50%49%
11/24/201065%49%43%
12/21/201066%51%49%
5/22/201165%49%46%
8/26/201166%49%51%
1/8/201267%60% 
2/19/201269%57%44%
4/3/201270%54%51%
11/10/201272%60%47%
12/9/201270%53%49%
5/19/201374%64%53%
9/30/201374%62%56%
4/12/201570%52%50%
7/12/201571%56%53%
11/15/201573%55%47%
4/4/201675%66%47%
11/6/201678%65%58%
1/18/201872%57%47%
2/7/201979%66%61%
2/8/202180%71%65%
9/5/202383%68%75%84%
* Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only. 
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2000-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. The Center has used several different question wordings to identify broadband users in recent years, which may account for some variance in broadband adoption figures between 2015 and 2018. Our survey conducted in July 2015 used a directly comparable question wording to the one conducted in January 2018. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanic adults are of any race. Respondents who did not give an answer or gave other responses are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2000-2023.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER


Home broadband use by gender
% of U.S. adults who say they subscribe to home broadband, by gender
 MenWomen
3/31/20001%1%
3/1/20017%5%
9/10/20018%6%
9/19/20019%5%
10/1/20017%5%
10/7/20018%5%
10/18/200111%4%
11/18/20019%6%
12/23/200110%7%
1/31/200210%7%
5/19/200212%9%
7/26/200212%9%
10/6/200217%12%
10/27/200215%9%
11/24/200218%11%
12/22/200214%11%
3/24/200318%13%
3/25/200318%14%
5/20/200319%13%
6/24/200319%14%
8/3/200319%15%
12/14/200322%17%
3/1/200427%21%
3/17/200430%22%
6/17/200427%20%
7/3/200428%23%
11/22/200429%23%
11/30/200427%24%
2/9/200531%27%
3/21/200531%28%
6/7/200536%30%
12/8/200540%34%
12/31/200539%32%
2/6/200642%39%
3/28/200645%39%
4/6/200646%39%
8/31/200647%40%
12/4/200649%43%
12/30/200647%42%
9/5/200754%49%
12/2/200758%51%
1/13/200855%48%
5/11/200857%52%
8/10/200858%58%
8/31/200859%54%
12/4/200861%52%
12/20/200856%54%
4/19/200963%61%
6/21/200962%61%
9/14/200964%60%
12/27/200961%58%
1/19/201065%58%
5/30/201064%64%
9/13/201062%59%
11/24/201060%61%
12/21/201065%60%
5/22/201160%60%
8/26/201165%59%
1/8/201267%67%
2/19/201266%64%
4/3/201266%66%
11/10/201268%67%
12/9/201265%66%
5/19/201371%69%
9/30/201370%70%
4/12/201565%66%
7/12/201567%67%
11/15/201567%67%
4/4/201672%68%
11/6/201674%72%
1/10/201866%64%
2/7/201973%73%
2/8/202177%77%
9/5/202379%80%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2000-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. The Center has used several different question wordings to identify broadband users in recent years, which may account for some variance in broadband adoption figures between 2015 and 2018. Our survey conducted in July 2015 used a directly comparable question wording to the one conducted in January 2018. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. Respondents who did not give an answer or gave other responses are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2000-2023.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER


Home broadband use by income
% of U.S. adults who say they subscribe to home broadband, by annual household income
 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)
3/31/20000%0%1%2%
9/10/20012%4%8%20%
9/19/20013%8%10%16%
10/1/20012%5%8%14%
10/7/20013%4%  
10/18/20014%5%10%19%
11/18/20014%7%11%18%
12/23/20014%7%10%23%
1/31/20024%6%11%22%
5/19/20025%8%13%25%
7/26/20024%10%14%23%
10/6/20026%11%26%32%
10/27/20027%10%12%26%
11/24/20027%13%16%34%
12/22/20025%12%16%27%
3/24/20037%11%22%32%
3/25/20037%11%22%33%
5/20/20037%14%25%30%
6/24/20037%14%21%37%
8/3/20038%14%22%38%
12/14/20039%16%25%42%
3/1/200410%23%36%46%
3/17/200413%25%27%49%
6/17/200412%18%31%48%
7/3/200412%19%35%48%
11/22/200413%25%34%54%
11/30/200412%24%37%50%
2/9/200515%27%32%58%
3/21/200515%27%38%56%
6/7/200518%29%44%63%
12/8/200521%30%46%64%
12/31/200517%30%52%63%
2/6/200622%32%51%67%
3/28/200629%40%52%69%
4/6/200622%44%49%68%
8/31/200622%39%56%74%
12/4/200626%44%50%77%
12/30/200624%46%61%73%
12/2/200740%52%69%78%
1/13/200828%51%61%77%
5/11/200831%53%67%82%
8/10/200838%59%68%79%
8/31/200836%53%71%83%
12/4/200831%61%73%85%
12/20/200833%57%69%83%
4/19/200939%61%79%85%
6/21/200945%53%83%87%
9/14/200942%66%82%88%
12/27/200941%62%78%83%
1/19/201045%61%74%87%
5/30/201042%65%79%87%
9/13/201040%64%80%88%
11/24/201042%66%75%89%
12/21/201041%65%81%88%
5/22/201140%70%79%88%
8/26/201141%65%81%89%
1/8/201247%67%81%88%
2/19/201245%64%82%91%
4/3/201246%68%85%87%
11/10/201247%71%83%90%
12/9/201246%69%79%89%
5/19/201354%70%84%88%
9/30/201352%71%85%91%
4/12/201544%72%83%90%
7/12/201547%64%78%89%
11/15/201545%68%81%88%
4/4/201649%73%80%91%
11/6/201653%71%83%93%
1/10/201845%67%79%87%
2/7/201956%72%87%92%
2/8/202157%74%87%92%
9/5/202357%76%88%95%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2000-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. The Center has used several different question wordings to identify broadband users in recent years, which may account for some variance in broadband adoption figures between 2015 and 2018. Our survey conducted in July 2015 used a directly comparable question wording to the one conducted in January 2018. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. Respondents who did not give an answer or gave other responses are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2000-2023.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER


Home broadband use by education
% of U.S. adults who say they subscribe to home broadband, by education level
 Less than high school graduateHigh school graduateHigh school or lessSome collegeCollege graduate
3/31/2000 1% 0%1%
3/1/20012%4% 8%11%
9/10/20012%5% 8%13%
9/19/20011%4% 11%12%
10/1/2001 5% 6%10%
10/7/2001 4% 8%11%
10/18/20013%6% 9%12%
11/18/20011%5% 11%14%
12/23/20013%4% 11%17%
1/31/20024%4% 11%16%
5/19/20023%6% 14%18%
7/26/20023%7% 15%17%
10/6/20023%10% 20%24%
10/27/20029%6% 13%22%
11/24/20024%10% 18%24%
12/22/20022%7% 15%23%
3/24/20034%12% 17%26%
3/25/20034%12% 18%27%
5/20/20035%11% 20%25%
6/24/20035%10% 24%24%
8/3/20034%12% 20%29%
12/14/20039%12% 24%31%
3/1/20047%16% 31%40%
3/17/200410%19% 31%39%
6/17/20048%16% 29%38%
7/3/20046%18% 28%42%
11/22/20047%14% 31%47%
11/30/2004 13% 31%47%
2/9/200512%19% 34%47%
3/21/20059%20% 36%47%
6/7/200513%23% 39%52%
12/8/200513%27% 44%56%
12/31/200514%25% 44%55%
2/6/200619%29% 50%58%
3/28/200619%30% 49%63%
4/6/200617%32% 48%63%
8/31/200612%31% 52%66%
12/4/200617%34% 55%69%
12/30/200616%32% 53%68%
9/5/200726%39% 63%72%
12/2/200722%43% 63%75%
1/13/200821%40% 61%72%
5/11/200829%39% 64%78%
8/10/200824%48% 68%78%
8/31/200822%44% 67%82%
12/4/200820%45% 67%81%
12/20/200817%43% 65%84%
4/19/200927%51% 69%82%
6/21/2009 46% 75%86%
9/14/200925%54% 71%84%
12/27/200924%45% 73%82%
1/19/201028%49% 71%82%
5/30/201031%51% 75%86%
9/13/201022%49% 72%82%
11/24/201022%50% 71%82%
12/21/201027%51% 76%80%
5/22/201122%48% 71%83%
8/26/201122%52% 73%85%
1/8/201223%56% 80%87%
2/19/201225%52% 76%90%
4/3/201234%55% 74%87%
11/10/201229%55% 78%87%
12/9/201227%56% 73%85%
5/19/201337%57% 78%89%
9/30/201328%58% 80%90%
4/12/201522%53% 75%86%
7/12/201530%54% 74%87%
11/15/201522%56% 75%88%
4/4/201624%59% 80%90%
11/6/201634%62% 80%91%
1/10/201824%56% 68%85%
2/7/201946%59% 77%93%
2/8/2021  59%80%94%
9/5/202365%83%92%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2000-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. The Center has used several different question wordings to identify broadband users in recent years, which may account for some variance in broadband adoption figures between 2015 and 2018. Our survey conducted in July 2015 used a directly comparable question wording to the one conducted in January 2018. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. “High school or less” includes both “Less than high school graduate” and “High school graduate.” The 2021 and 2023 samples are too small to separate these two categories. Respondents who did not give an answer or gave other responses are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2000-2023.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER


Home broadband use by community type
% of U.S. adults who say they subscribe to home broadband, by community type
 UrbanSuburbanRural
3/31/20001%1%0%
3/1/20017%7%2%
9/10/20018%8%3%
9/19/20019%8%3%
10/1/20016%7%3%
10/7/20017%9%2%
10/18/20019%9%2%
12/23/200111%10%4%
1/31/20029%11%4%
5/19/200210%14%4%
7/26/200212%13%3%
10/6/200218%17%6%
10/27/200216%13%6%
11/24/200218%17%6%
12/22/200216%13%6%
3/24/200318%17%8%
3/25/200319%17%9%
5/20/200320%17%8%
6/24/200318%20%7%
8/3/200320%19%9%
12/14/200321%23%10%
3/1/200426%29%10%
3/17/200427%29%14%
6/17/200427%27%12%
7/3/200429%29%12%
11/22/200429%28%16%
11/30/200429%29%11%
2/9/200529%33%19%
3/21/200532%33%18%
6/7/200538%34%21%
12/8/200541%40%23%
12/31/200536%40%23%
2/6/200642%46%24%
3/28/200638%39%19%
4/6/200645%47%25%
8/31/200646%46%28%
12/4/200647%51%29%
12/30/200648%46%32%
9/5/200752%54%35%
12/2/200760%56%41%
1/13/200854%56%34%
5/11/200856%59%38%
8/10/200863%59%43%
8/31/200857%62%40%
12/4/200855%61%44%
12/20/200854%57%36%
4/19/200962%63%42%
6/21/200958%60%43%
9/14/200960%63%50%
12/27/200960%64%47%
1/19/201064%63%52%
5/30/201067%69%49%
9/13/201062%63%51%
11/24/201061%65%55%
12/21/201062%68%52%
5/22/201162%63%52%
8/26/201164%65%55%
1/8/201274%69%48%
2/19/201265%70%53%
4/3/201267%70%53%
11/10/201270%71%55%
12/9/201264%67%63%
5/19/201370%73%62%
9/30/201370%74%60%
4/12/201565%69%58%
7/12/201568%72%50%
11/15/201567%71%56%
4/4/201672%71%61%
11/6/201673%76%63%
1/10/201867%70%58%
2/7/201975%79%63%
2/8/202177%79%72%
9/5/202377%86%73%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2000-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. The Center has used several different question wordings to identify broadband users in recent years, which may account for some variance in broadband adoption figures between 2015 and 2018. Our survey conducted in July 2015 used a directly comparable question wording to the one conducted in January 2018. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. Respondents who did not give an answer or gave other responses are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2000-2023.

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.


Smartphone dependency
% of U.S. adults who say they do not use broadband at home but own smartphones
 U.S. adults
20138%
201513%
201612%
201820%
201917%
202115%
202315%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2013-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2013-2023. Data for each year is based on a pooled analysis of all surveys containing broadband and smartphone questions fielded during that year.

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.


Smartphone dependency by age
% of U.S. adults who are smartphone dependent, by age
 Ages 18-2930-4950-6465+
201312%9%7%3%
201519%16%11%7%
201617%13%11%7%
201828%24%16%10%
201922%18%14%12%
202128%11%13%12%
202320%11%14%16%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2013-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown. 

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2013-2023. Data for each year is based on a pooled analysis of all surveys containing broadband and smartphone questions fielded during that year.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER


Smartphone dependency by race and ethnicity
% of U.S. adults who are smartphone dependent, by race and ethnicity
 WhiteBlackHispanicAsian*
20136%10%16%
201510%19%23%
20169%15%23%
201814%24%35%
201912%23%25%
202112%17%25%
202312%21%20%14%
* Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only. 
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2013-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanic adults are of any race. Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2013-2023. Data for each year is based on a pooled analysis of all surveys containing broadband and smartphone questions fielded during that year.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER


Smartphone dependency by gender
% of U.S. adults who are smartphone dependent, by gender
 MenWomen
20139%8%
201514%13%
201612%12%
201820%19%
201917%16%
202114%15%
202315%14%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2013-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2013-2023. Data for each year is based on a pooled analysis of all surveys containing broadband and smartphone questions fielded during that year.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER


Smartphone dependency by income
% of U.S. adults who are smartphone dependent, by annual household income
 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)
201312%9%5%5%
201520%15%10%6%
201621%12%10%5%
201831%22%14%9%
201926%20%10%6%
202127%19%6%6%
202328%19%9%4%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2013-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2013-2023. Data for each year is based on a pooled analysis of all surveys containing broadband and smartphone questions fielded during that year.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER


Smartphone dependency by education
% of U.S. adults who are smartphone dependent, by education level
 YearLess than high school graduateHigh school graduateHigh school or lessSome collegeCollege graduate
201314%11%8%4%
201521%17%14%6%
201627%15%12%5%
201839%22%21%10%
201932%24%16%4%
2021  23%15%4%
202324%13%6%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2013-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. “High school or less” includes both “Less than high school graduate” and “High school graduate.” The 2021 and 2023 samples are too small to separate these two categories. Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2013-2023. Data for each year is based on a pooled analysis of all surveys containing broadband and smartphone questions fielded during that year.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER


Smartphone dependency by community type
% of U.S. adults who are smartphone dependent, by community type
 UrbanSuburbanRural
20139%7%9%
201515%12%15%
201612%12%14%
201822%17%17%
201917%13%20%
202116%12%17%
202317%11%18%
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2013-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2013-2023. Data for each year is based on a pooled analysis of all surveys containing broadband and smartphone questions fielded during that year.

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.

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.