As of 2025, approximately 93.1 percent of the United States' population accessed the internet, up from approximately 71 percent in 2013. The United States is one of the biggest online markets worldwide. Additionally, in 2025, over 322 million individuals in the country went online. Furthermore, social media apps were among the most popular category of mobile apps used in the market. Social media usage in the U.S. Social media usage in the United States has seen significant growth in recent years, amassing 310 million as of 2025. By the third quarter of 2024, internet users in the U.S. were spending around two hours on social media out of seven hours of internet usage. The most common activities among U.S. users include sending private messages and liking posts or following people, which highlights widespread engagement with social media platforms among internet users in the United States. TikTok surge in the U.S. TikTok continues to be one of the most popular social media platforms in the United States. As of February 2025, over 135 million individuals or 45 percent of internet users in the country used the social network. This surge in popularity is the result of user’s high engagement with short-form videos and quick entertainment in which TikTok managed to capture users’ attention. Users in the United States spent an average of 45 hours and 37 minutes monthly in 2023.

In November 2021, it was found that Idaho had the highest online penetration rate among all the states in the U.S., as 88.6 percent of the state's population used the internet. Wisconsin and Illinois ranked second with 87.8 percent of online access in both states, while Oregon followed, with 87.4 percent.

As of February 2025, around 322 million people in the United States accessed the internet, making it one of the largest online markets worldwide. The country currently ranks third after China and India by the online audience size. Overview of internet usage in the United States The digital population in the United States has constantly increased in recent years. Among the most common reasons is the growing accessibility of broadband internet. A big part of the country's digital audience accesses the web via mobile phones. In 2024, the country saw an estimated 97.1 percent mobile internet user penetration. According to a 2024 survey, over 51 percent of U.S. women and 43 percent of men said it is important to them to have mobile internet access anywhere, at any time. Another 41 percent of respondents could not imagine their everyday life without the internet. Google and YouTube are the most visited websites in the country, while music, food, and drinks were the most discussed online topics. Internet usage demographics in the United States While some users can no longer imagine their life without the internet, others do not use it at all. According to 2021 data, 25 percent of U.S. adults 65 and older reported not using the internet. Despite this, online usage was strong across other age groups, especially young adults aged 18 to 49. This age group also reported the highest percentage of smartphone usage in the country as of 2023. Due to a persistent lack of connectivity in rural areas, more online users were based in urban areas of the U.S. than in the countryside.

Graph and download economic data for Internet users for the United States (ITNETUSERP2USA) from 1990 to 2023 about internet, persons, and USA.

US Broadband Usage Across Counties

Utilizing Microsoft's Data to Estimate Access

By Amber Thomas [source]

About this dataset

This dataset provides an estimation of broadband usage in the United States, focusing on how many people have access to broadband and how many are actually using it at broadband speeds. Through data collected by Microsoft from our services, including package size and total time of download, we can estimate the throughput speed of devices connecting to the internet across zip codes and counties.

According to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) estimates, 14.5 million people don't have access to any kind of broadband connection. This data set aims to address this contrast between those with estimated availability but no actual use by providing more accurate usage numbers downscaled to county and zip code levels. Who gets counted as having access is vastly important -- it determines who gets included in public funding opportunities dedicated solely toward closing this digital divide gap. The implications can be huge: millions around this country could remain invisible if these number aren't accurately reported or used properly in decision-making processes.

This dataset includes aggregated information about these locations with less than 20 devices for increased accuracy when estimating Broadband Usage in the United States-- allowing others to use it for developing solutions that improve internet access or label problem areas accurately where no real or reliable connectivity exists among citizens within communities large and small throughout the US mainland.. Please review the license terms before using these data so that you may adhere appropriately with stipulations set forth under Microsoft's Open Use Of Data Agreement v1.0 agreement prior to utilizing this dataset for your needs-- both professional and educational endeavors alike!

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How to use the dataset

How to Use the US Broadband Usage Dataset

This dataset provides broadband usage estimates in the United States by county and zip code. It is ideally suited for research into how broadband connects households, towns and cities. Understanding this information is vital for closing existing disparities in access to high-speed internet, and for devising strategies for making sure all Americans can stay connected in a digital world.

The dataset contains six columns: - County – The name of the county for which usage statistics are provided. - Zip Code (5-Digit) – The 5-digit zip code from which usage data was collected from within that county or metropolitan area/micro area/divisions within states as reported by the US Census Bureau in 2018[2].
- Population (Households) – Estimated number of households defined according to [3] based on data from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey's 5 Year Estimates[4].
- Average Throughput (Mbps)- Average Mbps download speed derived from a combination of data collected anonymous devices connected through Microsoft services such as Windows Update, Office 365, Xbox Live Core Services, etc.[5]
- Percent Fast (> 25 Mbps)- Percentage of machines with throughput greater than 25 Mbps calculated using [6]. 6) Percent Slow (< 3 Mbps)- Percentage of machines with throughput less than 3Mbps calculated using [7].

Research Ideas

• Targeting marketing campaigns based on broadband use. Companies can use the geographic and demographic data in this dataset to create targeted advertising campaigns that are tailored to individuals living in areas where broadband access is scarce or lacking.
• Creating an educational platform for those without reliable access to broadband internet. By leveraging existing technologies such as satellite internet, media streaming services like Netflix, and platforms such as Khan Academy or EdX, those with limited access could gain access to new educational options from home.
• Establishing public-private partnerships between local governments and telecom providers need better data about gaps in service coverage and usage levels in order to make decisions about investments into new infrastructure buildouts for better connectivity options for rural communities

Acknowledgements

If you use this dataset in your research, please credit the original authors. Data Source

License

See the dataset description for more information.

Columns

File: broadband_data_2020October.csv

Acknowledgements

If you use this dataset in your research,...

The internet service providers industry uses wired infrastructure to provide clients with internet access and related services, like web hosting, web page designing and consulting related to internet connectivity. Rising internet usage has benefited industry revenue growth, and government-subsidized network expansion has done the same, increasing the number of US broadband connections. A push toward broadband expansion in rural markets and a climb in demand from business customers has boosted industry revenue, which is poised to incline at an annualized rate of 3.5% to $168.5 billion in 2025, including growth of 4.2% in 2025 as investments and activity mount in line with an improving macroeconomic environment. As households increasingly rely on the internet for streaming, gaming, remote work, and cloud computing, ISPs are scrambling to deliver faster and more reliable service. The rising adoption of cloud computing, which involves accessing data online, has boosted demand for dedicated internet access services sold at a higher profit. With increasing demand, providers have begun launching fiber optic networks, rapidly improving connection speeds. Major enterprises that typically benefit from economies of scale also continue to bundle TV and phone, which includes Voice over Internet Protocol services and high-speed internet into one service package, adopting new technology. Consolidation has swept the industry, with blockbuster mergers—such as T-Mobile’s tie-up with Sprint and Verizon’s multi-billion-dollar acquisition push—reshaping market share and intensifying competition. At the same time, average broadband speeds have more than doubled, but ISPs have faced mounting pressure from cord-cutters, OTT competitors and fierce price wars, often leading to flat or declining revenues per user even as consumer bandwidth use reaches new heights. This competitive environment has led to plummeting profit. Looking ahead, the ISP industry shows no sign of slowing down. Over the next five years, fiber expansion and 5G fixed wireless will reach an even greater share of US households. Providers will continue investing heavily in gigabit networks, edge computing and advanced Wi-Fi to keep pace with the explosion in cloud computing, IoT devices and remote work. Retaining customers will hinge on delivering faster speeds, greater reliability, strong security and innovative value-added services, especially as open-access networks and new entrants threaten to erode traditional market advantages. Continued demand will lead to industry revenue growth, poised to climb at an annualized rate of 4.4% to $208.9 billion in 2030.

These datasets contain measures of internet access per United States census tract and ZIP code tabulation area (ZCTA) from the 2015-2019 American Community Survey five-year estimate. Key variables include the number and percent of households per tract or ZCTA with any type of internet subscription, with broadband internet, and with a computer or smartphone.

According to United States census data, 91.2 percent of all U.S. households reported having some form internet subscription in 2022. This was up from 90.3 percent of households in 2021.

Internet Access in U.S. Public Schools, 2003 (FRSS 86), is a study that is part of the Fast Response Survey System (FRSS) program; program data is available since 1998-99 at https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/frss/downloads.asp. FRSS 86 (https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/frss/) is a cross-sectional survey that collects and reports data on key education issues at the elementary and secondary levels. The study was conducted using questionnaires of principals. Schools in September 2003 were sampled. The study's response rate was 91 percent. Key statistics produced from FRSS 86 will gauge the progress that public schools have made since 1994 in internet accessibility and connectivity, and to explore continuing challenges in incorporating the internet as an educational tool.

Internet Access in U.S. Public Schools, 2005 (FRSS 90), is a study that is part of the Fast Response Survey System (FRSS) program; program data is available since 1998-99 at . FRSS 90 (https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/frss/) is a sample survey that provides trend analysis on the percent of public schools and instructional rooms with internet access and on the ratio of students to instructional computers with Internet access. The study was conducted using mailed questionnaires or the option of completing the survey via the web. Principals of various public schools were sampled. The study's response rate was 86 percent. Key statistics produced from FRSS 90 were the number of instructional computers with access to the internet, the types of internet connections, technologies and procedures used to prevent student access to inappropriate material on the internet, and the availability of hand-held and laptop computers for students and teachers. Respondents also provided information on teacher professional development on how to integrate the use of the internet into the curriculum and on the use of the internet to provide opportunities and information for teaching and learning.

United States Internet Access Connection: Residential: California data was reported at 44,440.000 Number th in Dec 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 43,461.000 Number th for Jun 2017. United States Internet Access Connection: Residential: California data is updated semiannually, averaging 11,626.000 Number th from Dec 2000 (Median) to Dec 2017, with 35 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 44,440.000 Number th in Dec 2017 and a record low of 1,049.000 Number th in Dec 2000. United States Internet Access Connection: Residential: California data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Communications Commission. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.TB021: Internet Access.

This dataset contains measures of broadband internet access and usage per United States ZIP code tabulation area (ZCTA) in 2014 through 2018. The data is derived primarily from internet service providers’ Form 477 reports to the Federal Communications Commission. Key variables include the average upload and download speed of fixed broadband connections, the number of internet service providers, and the number of households with broadband.

Part of the What Works Cities criterion to achieve Certification, we need to meet the industry standard of at least 75% of our households have subscriptions / access to high-speed broadband servicesPart of the American Community Survey (ACS) asks the levels of internet access residents have. We use the 5-Year Estimates to have a greater level of precision to our data, according to the Distinguishing features of ACS 1-year, 1-year supplemental, 3-year, and 5-year estimates table.We query attributes of the DP02 (Selected Social Characteristics in the United States) Group of questions for years available.This dataset has been narrowed down to Cary township using following the geographies codes supported for the ACS dataset:state: 37county: 183county subdivision: 90536

United States Internet Access Connection: Business: Wisconsin data was reported at 956.000 Number th in Dec 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 963.000 Number th for Jun 2017. United States Internet Access Connection: Business: Wisconsin data is updated semiannually, averaging 376.000 Number th from Dec 2000 (Median) to Dec 2017, with 35 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 963.000 Number th in Jun 2017 and a record low of 18.000 Number th in Dec 2000. United States Internet Access Connection: Business: Wisconsin data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Communications Commission. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.TB021: Internet Access.

In 2019, 90.4 percent of households in Colorado used a broadband internet connection at home. Washington, Utah, and Colorado were the only three states with over 90 percent of households having a broadband connection at home.

United States Internet Access Connection: Business: Idaho data was reported at 237.000 Number th in Dec 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 240.000 Number th for Jun 2017. United States Internet Access Connection: Business: Idaho data is updated semiannually, averaging 139.000 Number th from Dec 2000 (Median) to Dec 2017, with 35 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 347.000 Number th in Jun 2008 and a record low of 2.000 Number th in Dec 2003. United States Internet Access Connection: Business: Idaho data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Communications Commission. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.TB021: Internet Access.

The average for 2023 based on 17 countries was 76.77 percent. The highest value was in Chile: 94.5 percent and the lowest value was in Guatemala: 56.1 percent. The indicator is available from 1990 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Forecast: Households with Internet Access at Home in the US 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

As of the third quarter of 2024, approximately **** percent of internet users in the United States went online via any kind of mobile phone, while **** percent reported doing so via smartphones. By comparison, laptop or desktop internet access was reported by around **** percent of respondents. Additionally, **** percent of U.S. internet users reported going online with their laptop or desktop device, while around ** percent reported doing so with a work laptop. Smartphone usage in the United States During the past years, the number of smartphone users in the United States has increased. According to recent data, 85 percent of the adults in the country own a smartphone. This has led to high competition between the biggest manufacturers in the field. Apple is the leading manufacturer in the U.S., with a market share of ** percent, followed by Samsung and Motorola/Lenovo. Meanwhile, there is more competition when it comes to operating systems. Apple iOS, which is used on all devices created by Apple, and Google Android, which is used for Samsung devices, have the biggest user share. Usage of other devices in the U.S. Smart home devices have become popular in recent years. It is projected that in 2025 the penetration rate for Smart Home segments like control and connectivity, as well as security, will grow up to ** and ** percent respectively. For users in the United States, the most common device for watching shows or movies was a TV set. According to the research, more than ** percent of the respondents spent more than 20 hours weekly in front of a TV. In comparison, the majority of those who watched shows or movies on a computer, tablet, or smartphone spent less than an hour weekly on such activity.