FALLING THROUGH THE NET:

TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

A Report on Americans’ Access to Technology Tools

October 2000

 

U.S. Department of Commerce

Economic and Statistics Administration 

National Telecommunications and Information Administration
 

 THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

 Washington, DC 20230

 

The digital economy is moving our Nation toward greater prosperity. Our goal at the Commerce

Department is to ensure that all Americans – regardless of age, income, race, ethnicity,

disability, or geography – gain access to the technological tools and skills needed in the new

economy. 

Falling Through the Net: Toward Digital Inclusion is a key part of the Department’s ongoing

efforts to promote full participation in the digital economy. It is important for our Nation to

measure and analyze how the digital economy is affecting its citizens. 

I am pleased that the data in this report show that, overall, our Nation is moving toward full

digital inclusion. The number of Americans who are utilizing electronic tools in every aspect of

their lives is rapidly increasing. However, a digital divide still remains. The report shows that

not everyone is moving at the same speed, and identifies those groups that are progressing more

slowly. The report also is rich with insights into how Americans are gaining access to key

technologies, and how they are using such tools. With this information, we can better target and

enact policies and programs to close the disparities in access to computers and the Internet that

still are being experienced by some in our Nation. 

I applaud the many public and private sector efforts that are helping Americans achieve greater

access to the tools of the digital economy. We are rapidly becoming a digital Nation. We know

that to not have access to such tools means to miss out on tremendous economic and educational

opportunities. This report shows us that much work is left to be done. 

The Commerce Department looks forward to continuing to work with the many public and

private sector organizations that are striving to ensure greater digital inclusion for everyone. 

Norman Y. Mineta 
FALLING THROUGH THE NET: 

TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications Economic and Statistics Administration

and Information Administration

Gregory L. Rohde, Assistant Secretary Robert Shapiro, Under Secretary for

 for Communications and Information Economic Affairs

JOINT PROJECT TEAM

for NTIA for ESA

Kelly K. Levy, Associate Administrator, Lee Price, Deputy Under Secretary for

 Office of Policy Analysis and Development Economic Affairs

James McConnaughey, Senior Economist Patricia Buckley, Senior Policy Advisor

Wendy Lader, Senior Policy Advisor Sabrina Montes, Economist

Art Brodsky, Director of Communications George McKittrick, Economist

Sandra Laousis, Telecommunications Gwendolyn Flowers, Chief Economist

 Policy Analyst 

 Jeffrey Mayer, Director of Policy Development 

JOINT PROJECT CONTRIBUTORS

for NTIA for ESA

Kathy Smith, Chief Counsel Jane Molloy, Director, Office of Policy Analysis

Milton Brown, Deputy Chief Counsel Laurence Campbell, Senior Regulatory Policy 

 Economist

Steve Saleh, Program Officer 

Sandra Cooke, Economist

Wayne Ritchie, Management and Program Analyst

Lan Chu, Law Clerk

U.S. Bureau of the Census

Demographic Surveys Division Technologies Management Office Population Division

 Ronald R. Tucker Adelle Berlinger Judith Eargle Andrew Stevenson Eric Newburger

 Greg Weyland L. Dinah Flores John M. McNeil

 Tim J. Marshall Aileen Bennett 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

INTRODUCTION ............................................................. xiii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................... xv

PART I: HOUSEHOLD ACCESS TO COMPUTERS AND THE INTERNET ................. 1

Overall Household Findings: The Nation Moves Toward Digital Inclusion ............................ 2

Digital Inclusion Proceeds Unevenly ......................................................... 2

Geography ......................................................................... 4

Income ............................................................................ 8

Education ......................................................................... 10

Race and Ethnicity .................................................................. 12

Household Type .................................................................... 17

Households With Computers and Internet Access, by State ...................................... 20

A New Dimension: High Speed Internet Access ............................................... 23

Non-Internet Households ................................................................. 25

Why Households with Computers Have Never Had Internet Access ............................ 26

Why Households with Computers Have Discontinued Internet Access .......................... 27

PART II: USE OF THE INTERNET BY INDIVIDUALS ................................ 33

Internet Use Among Individuals ............................................................ 36

Income ........................................................................... 36

Race and Ethnicity .................................................................. 37

Gender ........................................................................... 39

Educational Attainment .............................................................. 40

Age .............................................................................. 41

Location of Internet Access ............................................................... 45

Locations of Internet Access Outside the Home ........................................... 46

Online Activities ........................................................................ 47

Online Activities of Home Internet Users ................................................. 48

Online Activities of Outside the Home Internet Users ....................................... 49

PART III: INTERNET ACCESS AND COMPUTER USE AMONG PEOPLE WITH 

 DISABILITIES ................................................... 61

Definitions ............................................................................ 62

Exploring the Populations with Disabilities ................................................... 67

Income ........................................................................... 69

Race and Ethnicity .................................................................. 70

Age .............................................................................. 71

Employment Status ................................................................. 72

Gender ........................................................................... 73

Access, Use, and Disability: 16-24 Year Olds ................................................. 75

Access, Use, and Disability: 25-49 Year Olds ................................................. 78

Access, Use, and Disability: 50-64 Year Olds ................................................. 81

Access, Use, and Disability: 65 Year Olds and Older ........................................... 83

CONCLUSION - A LOOK AHEAD ............................................... 89
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METHODOLOGY ............................................................. 91

Current Population Survey ............................................................... 91

Survey of Income and Program Participation ................................................. 92

BOXES

Box II-1 The Relationship Between the Household- and Person-based Measures ..................... 35

Box III-1 The Survey on Income and Program Participation ....................................... 62

Box III-2 Building a Disability Category ....................................................... 64

FIGURES

Figure I-1 Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer and Internet Access, Selected Years .............. 1

Figure I-2 An Illustrative S Curve .............................................................. 3

Figure I-3 Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access, by U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central Cities, 

1998 and 2000 ................................................................... 4

Figure I-4 Percent of Rural Households with Internet Access, by Income, 1998 and 2000 ................. 5

Figure I-5 Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer, by U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas, 1994,

1997, 1998, 2000 ................................................................. 7

Figure I-6 Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access, by Income, 1998 and 2000 .................. 8

Figure I-7 Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer, by Income, 1998 and 2000 .................... 10

Figure I-8 Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access, by Education, 1998 and 2000 ............... 11

Figure I-9 Percent of U.S. Households with Home Internet Access by Income and Education, 1998 and 2000 12

Figure I-10 Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access, by Race/Hispanic Origin, 1998 and 2000 ...... 13

Figure I-11 Rate of Growth of Internet Penetration, by Race/Hispanic Origin, 1998 and 2000 ............... 14

Figure I-12 Income and Education Differences Account for Half of the Gap between Blacks and Hispanics 

and the National Average .......................................................... 15

Figure I-13 Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer, by Race/Hispanic Origin, 1998 and 2000 ......... 16

Figure I-14 Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer, by Family Type, 1998 and 2000 ................ 18

Figure I-15 High Speed Internet Access, 2000 ................................................... 24

Figure I-16 High Speed Internet Access, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central Cities, Percent of U.S. Households 

with Internet Access .............................................................. 24
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Figure I-17 Reasons for U.S. Households with a Computer/Web TV Never Accessing the Internet, 

Percent Distribution, 2000 .......................................................... 26

Figure I-18 Reasons for U.S. Households Discontinuing Internet Use, Percent Distribution, 2000 ........... 28

Figure II-1 Different Perspectives on Internet Access and Use ...................................... 35

Figure II-2 Broad Increases in Internet Use Since 1998 ............................................ 36

Figure II-3 Internet Use by Income ............................................................ 37

Figure II-4 Internet Use by Race/Ethnicity ...................................................... 38

Figure II-5 Household Access Rates by Race/Ethnicity Do Not Closely Track Internet Use by Persons ....... 38

Figure II-6 Internet Use by Gender and Age .................................................... 39

Figure II-7 Internet Use by Gender and Race/Ethnicity ............................................ 40

Figure II-8 Internet Use Rates by Educational Attainment .......................................... 41

Figure II-9 Internet Use by Age Group ......................................................... 41

Figure II-10 Internet Use by Income, Age 18-24 .................................................. 43

Figure II-11 Internet Use Age 25-49 and Labor Force Status ........................................ 44

Figure II-12 Internet Use Age 50+ and Labor Force Status .......................................... 45

Figure II-13 Internet Access by Location ........................................................ 46

Figure II-14 Internet Use by Location and Race/Ethnicity ........................................... 46

Figure II-15 Online Activities ................................................................. 48

Figure II-16 The Percent of Internet Users Searching for Jobs on the Internet Declines as Income Increases ... 50

Figure III-1 Internet Access by Disability Status, 1999 ............................................. 65

Figure III-2 Personal Computer Use Experience by Disability Status, 1999 ............................. 66

Figure III-3 Regular Users of PCs by Location and Disability Status, 1999 ............................. 66

Figure III-4 Income Distribution for Persons with a Disability ........................................ 68

Figure III-5 Income Distribution for Persons without a Disability ..................................... 68

Figure III-6 Age Distribution for Persons with a Disability ........................................... 68

Figure III-7 Age Distribution for Persons without a Disability ........................................ 68

Figure III-8 Employment Status Distribution for Persons with a Disability ............................... 68

Figure III-9 Employment Status Distribution for Persons without a Disability ............................ 68

Figure III-10 Internet Access at Home, by Income and Disability Status, 1999 ........................... 69

Figure III-11 Regularly Uses a PC, by Income and Disability Status, 1999 ............................... 69

Figure III-12 Internet Access at Home, by Race/Ethnicity and Disability Status, 1999 ...................... 70

Figure III-13 Regularly Uses a PC, by Race/Ethnicity and Disability Status, 1999 ......................... 70

Figure III-14 Internet Access at Home, by Age and Disability Status, 1999 .............................. 71
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Figure III-15 Regularly Uses a PC by Age and Disability Status, 1999 .................................. 71

Figure III-16 Internet Access at Home, by Employment and Disability Status, 1999 ....................... 72

Figure III-17 Regularly Uses a PC, by Employment and Disability Status, 1999 .......................... 72

Figure III-18 Internet Access at Home by Gender and Disability Status, 1999 ............................ 73

Figure III-19 Regularly Uses a PC by Gender and Disability Status, 1999 ............................... 73

Figure III-20 Internet Access Among 16-24 Year Olds, by Disability Status .............................. 76

Figure III-21 Personal Computer Use Experience Among 16-24 Year Olds, by Disability Status, 1999 ......... 76

Figure III-22 Internet Access Among 25-49 Year Olds, by Disability Status, 1999 ......................... 78

Figure III-23 Personal Computer Use Experience Among 25-49 Year Olds, by Disability Status, 1999 ......... 78

Figure III-24 Internet Access Among Employed 25-49 Year Olds, by Disability Status, 1999 ................ 79

Figure III-25 Personal Computer Use Experience Among Employed 25-49 Year Olds, by Disability Status, 1999 79

Figure III-26 Internet Access Among 50-64 Year Olds, by Disability Status, 1999 ......................... 81

Figure III-27 Personal Computer Use Experience Among 50-64 Year Olds, by Disability Status, 1999 ......... 81

Figure III-28 Internet Access Among 65 and Older, by Disability Status, 1999 ............................ 83

Figure III-29 Personal Computer Use Experience Among 65 and Older, by Disability Status, 1999 ........... 83

TABLES

Table I-A Percent of Households with Computers, by State: 2000 ................................... 21

Table I-B Percent of Households with Internet Access, by State: 2000 ............................... 22

Table I-1 Percent of Households with a Computer ............................................... 30

Table 1-2 Percent of Households with Internet Access ............................................ 31

Table II-1 Internet Use Individuals Age 3 and Older .............................................. 51

Table II-2 Internet Use Individuals Age 3-8 Years ................................................ 53

Table II-3 Internet Use Individuals Age 9-17 .................................................... 54

Table II-4 Internet Use Individuals Age 18-25 ................................................... 55

Table II-5 Internet Use Individuals Age 25-49 In the Labor Force .................................... 56

Table II-6 Internet Use Individuals Age 25-49 Not in the Labor Force ................................ 57

Table II-7 Internet Use Individuals Age 50+ In the Labor Force ..................................... 58

Table II-8 Internet Use Individuals Age 50 + Not in the Labor Force ................................. 59

Table II-9 Reconciliation of Household Access and Person Internet Use Rates for 2000 ................. 60

Table III-1 Disability Status of Persons 16 and Above ............................................. 63

Table III-2 Population Distribution, by Age and Disability .......................................... 74
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Table III-3 Internet Access and Computer Use by 16-24 Year Olds .................................. 77

Table III-4 Internet Access and Computer Use by 25-49 Year Olds .................................. 80

Table III-5 Internet Access and Computer Use by 50-64 Year Olds .................................. 82

Table III-6 Internet Access and Computer Use by 65 Year Olds and Older ............................. 84

Table III-7 Individuals 16 and Over ........................................................... 85

Table III-8 Internet Access and Computer Use .................................................. 86

Table III-9 Disability, by Age ................................................................ 87

APPENDIX

Figure A1 Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer and Internet Access 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000 ....... 94

Figure A2 Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas, 1994,

1997, 1998, 2000 ................................................................ 94

Figure A3 Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer By Income, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City

Areas, 2000 ..................................................................... 95

Figure A4 Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer By Race/Hispanic Origin, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and

Central City Areas, 2000 ........................................................... 95

Figure A5 Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer By Income, By Race/ Hispanic Origin, 2000 ........ 96

Figure A6 Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer By Education, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City

Areas, 2000 ..................................................................... 96

Figure A7 Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer By Household Type, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central

City Areas, 2000 ................................................................. 97

Figure A8 Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access By U.S. Rural, Urban and Central City Areas, 

1998 and 2000 .................................................................. 97

Figure A9 Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access By Income, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City

Areas, 2000 ..................................................................... 98

Figure A10 Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access By Race/Hispanic Origin, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and

Central City Areas, 2000 ........................................................... 98

Figure A11 Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access By Income, By Race/Hispanic Origin, 2000 ..... 99

Figure A12 Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access By Education, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and 

Central City Areas, 2000 ........................................................... 99

Figure A13 Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access By Household Type, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and

Central City Areas, 2000 ......................................................... 100

Figure A14 Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access By Age, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City
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Areas, 2000 .................................................................... 100

Figure A15 Percent of U.S. Households with High-Speed Internet Access, 2000 ........................ 101

Figure A16 Percent of U.S. Households with High-Speed Internet Access By Technology and Age, 2000 .... 101

Figure A17 Percent of U.S. Households with High-Speed Internet Access By Region, 2000 ............... 102

Figure A18 Percent of U.S. Households with High-Speed Internet Access By Income, 2000 .............. 102

Figure A19 Percent of U.S. Households with High-Speed Internet Access By Education, 2000 ............ 103

Figure A20 Percent of U.S. Households with High-Speed Internet Access By Age, 2000 ................. 103

Figure A21 Percent of U.S. Households with High-Speed Internet Access By Race/Hispanic Origin, 2000 ... 104

Figure A22 Percent of U.S. Households with High-Speed Internet Access By Type of Household, 2000 ..... 104

Figure A23 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet By Location, 2000 ............................ 105

Figure A24 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet By Income, By Location, 2000 .................. 105

Figure A25 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet By Race/Hispanic Origin, By Location, 2000 ....... 106

Figure A26 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet At Home By Race/Hispanic Origin, By U.S., Rural, Urban,

and Central City Areas, 2000 ...................................................... 106

Figure A27 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home By Race/Hispanic Origin, By U.S., Rural,

Urban, and Central City Areas, 2000 ................................................ 107

Figure A28 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet By Education, By Location, 2000 ................ 107

Figure A29 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet, By Household Type, By Location, 2000 ........... 108

Figure A30 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet, By Age, By Location, 2000 ..................... 108

Figure A31 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet, By Gender, By Location, 2000 .................. 109

Figure A32 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home By Selected Places, By U.S., Rural,

Urban, and Central City Areas, 2000 ................................................ 109

Figure A33 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home By Income, By Selected 

Places, 2000 .................................................................. 110

Figure A34 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home By Race/Hispanic Origin, By Selected

Places, 2000 .................................................................. 110

Figure A35 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home at Schools (K-12) By U.S., Rural, Urban,

and Central City Areas By Race/Hispanic Origin, 2000 .................................. 111

Figure A36 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home at Work By U.S., Rural, Urban, and

Central City Areas, By Race/Hispanic Origin, 2000 ..................................... 111

Figure A37 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home By Education, By Selected

 Places, 2000 .................................................................. 112
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Figure A38 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home By Household Type, By Selected

 Places, 2000 .................................................................. 112

Figure A39 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home By Gender, By Selected

 Places, 2000 .................................................................. 113

Figure A40 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home By Selected Places, By Employment

Status, 2000 ................................................................... 113

Figure A41 Reasons for Households with a Computer/WebTV Not Using the Internet at Home, 

By Income, 2000 ............................................................... 114

Figure A42 Reasons for Households with a Computer/WebTV Not Using the Internet at Home, By Race/Hispanic

Origin, 2000 ................................................................... 114

Figure A43 Reasons for Households with a Computer/WebTV Not Using the Internet at Home, 

By Education, 2000 ............................................................. 115

Figure A44 Reasons for Households with a Computer/WebTV Not Using the Internet at Home, By Household

Type, 2000 .................................................................... 115

Figure A45 Reasons for Households with a Computer/WebTV Not Using the Internet at Home, 

By Age, 2000 .................................................................. 116

Figure A46 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet At Home By Type of Use, 2000 .................. 116

Figure A47 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet At Home By Income, By Type of Use, 2000 ........ 117

Figure A48 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet At Home By Race/Hispanic Origin, By Type 

of Use, 2000 ................................................................... 117

Figure A49 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet At Home By Education, By Type of Use, 2000 ..... 118

Figure A50 Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet At Home By Type of Use, By Employment

 Status, 2000 .................................................................. 118

Appendix Table 1 Reasons for Discontinuing Home Internet Use, by Selected Characteristics of Reference Person,

 Total, Urban, Rural, Central City, 2000 ........................................... 119
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National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

INTRODUCTION

Robert J. Shapiro

Under Secretary for Economic Affairs

Administrator, Economics and Statistics Administration

Gregory L. Rohde

Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information

Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration

This is the fourth report in the Commerce Department series of studies, Falling Through the Net.

The previous three were focused on the theme of the “Digital Divide,” the concept that the society

should not be separated into information haves and information have-nots.

With this report, we move into a new phase of our information-gathering and policy-making by

recognizing the phenomenal growth that has taken place in the availability of computing and

information technology tools, tempered by the realization that there is still much more to be done

to make certain that everyone is included in the digital economy. Thus, the theme for this year,

Toward Digital Inclusion, recognizes each element of the equation -- the progress made and the

progress yet to be made.

Measuring the growth and use of the Internet is, like the Internet itself, a complex endeavor. This

report reflects our attempt to capture three of the key benchmarks. Part I looks at Internet and

computer access of households. We do this because the household is the traditional standard by

which access is defined, in the United States and around the world. The examination of household

access includes such factors as geography, income, race, and household type. 

In looking at the results and trying to determine the progress from year to year, it is important to

understand that there is more than one way to interpret the results. When looking at computer and

Internet access, it is clear that certain groups have far higher levels of Internet access and computer

ownership. These groups have generally exhibited greater percentage point changes in their

penetration rates from one survey to the next. On the other hand, they exhibit slower expansion rates

from one survey to the next. At the same time, groups with lower penetration rates are exhibiting

smaller percentage point changes but higher expansion rates because they are starting from a much

lower base and have more opportunity for rapid and greater expansion. 

Part I also includes a new facet to the survey. For the first time, we survey household access to highspeed Internet services, primarily through cable TV and Digital Subscriber Line services. There are

large differences in high-speed access based on income and other variables, and these initial data will

enable us to track the increases and diffusion of high-speed access as broadband infrastructure is

widely adopted.
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Part II provides a different way of looking at the penetration of Internet access and computers.

Instead of looking at households, this section of the report examines computer and online access by

individuals. Many households, for example, include people who do not use the Internet, and the rate

or degree at which this occurs differs among groups. By focusing on individuals, we are also able

to capture important differences in Internet use based on people’s age, gender, and labor force status.

We can also look at how people use the Internet, for example, for e-mail or to look for a job, as well

as where they use it, whether at home or at a library, for example.

Part III, for the first time, examines the use of computers and the Internet among people with

disabilities that adversely affect their ability to walk, to see, to hear, to use their hands and fingers,

or to learn. In general, Internet access is half as common among people with disabilities as among

other people, and computer access is even more skewed. To some degree this may reflect the fact

that on average, disabled people are older and less likely to be employed, and also have lower

incomes than people without disabilities. All of these variables are associated with lower computer

and Internet use.

By preparing and issuing this report, we hope to establish an objective baseline so the American

people can understand the critical issue of access to the information technologies that are

transforming the economy and our lives. In this way, this report can provide a basis for the

continuing public debate about how best to ensure that every American can participate in the digital

economy. 
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Internet is becoming an increasingly vital tool in our information society. More Americans are

going online to conduct such day-to-day activities as education, business transactions, personal

correspondence, research and information-gathering, and job searches. Each year, being digitally

connected becomes ever more critical to economic and educational advancement and community

participation. Now that a large number of Americans regularly use the Internet to conduct daily

activities, people who lack access to these tools are at a growing disadvantage. Therefore, raising

the level of digital inclusion by increasing the number of Americans using the technology tools of

the digital age is a vitally important national goal.

This report, Falling Through the Net: Toward Digital Inclusion, is the fourth in the Falling Through

the Net series. In this report, we measure the extent of digital inclusion by looking at households and

individuals that have a computer and an Internet connection. We measure the digital divide, as we

have before, by looking at the differences in the shares of each group that is digitally connected. For

the first time, we also provide data on high-speed access to the Internet, as well as access to the

Internet and computers by people with disabilities. 

The data show that the overall level of U.S. digital inclusion is rapidly increasing:

• The share of households with Internet access soared by 58%, rising from 26.2% in

December 1998 to 41.5% in August 2000. 

• More than half of all households (51.0%) have computers, up from 42.1% in December

1998. 

 There were 116.5 million Americans online at some location in August 2000, 31.9

million more than there were only 20 months earlier. 

 The share of individuals using the Internet rose by a third, from 32.7% in December 1998

to 44.4% in August 2000. If growth continues at that rate, more than half of all

Americans will be using the Internet by the middle of 2001. 

The rapid uptake of new technologies is occurring among most groups of Americans, regardless of

income, education, race or ethnicity, location, age, or gender, suggesting that digital inclusion is a

realizable goal. Groups that have traditionally been digital “have nots” are now making dramatic

gains:

 The gap between households in rural areas and households nationwide that access the

Internet has narrowed from 4.0 percentage points in 1998 to 2.6 percentage points in

2000. Rural households moved closer to the nationwide Internet penetration rate of

41.5%. In rural areas this year, 38.9% of the households had Internet access, a 75%

increase from 22.2% in December 1998. 
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• Americans at every income level are connecting at far higher rates from their homes,

particularly at the middle income levels. Internet access among households earning

$35,000 to $49,000 rose from 29.0% in December 1998 to 46.1% in August 2000.

Today, more than two-thirds of all households earning more than $50,000 have Internet

connections (60.9% for households earning $50,000 to $74,999 and 77.7% for

households earning above $75,000). 

• Access to the Internet is also expanding across every education level, particularly for

those with some high school or college education. Households headed by someone with

“some college experience” showed the greatest expansion in Internet penetration of all

education levels, rising from 30.2% in December 1998 to 49.0% in August 2000.

• Blacks and Hispanics still lag behind other groups but have shown impressive gains in

Internet access. Black households are now more than twice as likely to have home access

than they were 20 months ago, rising from 11.2% to 23.5%. Hispanic households have

also experienced a tremendous growth rate during this period, rising from 12.6% to

23.6%. 

• The disparity in Internet usage between men and women has largely disappeared. In

December 1998, 34.2% of men and 31.4% of women were using the Internet. By August

2000, 44.6% of men and 44.2% of women were Internet users.

• Individuals 50 years of age and older -- while still less likely than younger Americans to

use the Internet -- experienced the highest rates of growth in Internet usage of all age

groups: 53% from December 1998 to August 2000, compared to a 35% growth rate for

individual Internet usage nationwide. 

Nonetheless, a digital divide remains or has expanded slightly in some cases, even while Internet

access and computer ownership are rising rapidly for almost all groups. For example, our most

recent data show that divides still exist between those with different levels of income and education,

different racial and ethnic groups, old and young, single and dual-parent families, and those with and

without disabilities. 

 People with a disability are only half as likely to have access to the Internet as those

without a disability: 21.6% compared to 42.1%. And while just under 25% of people

without a disability have never used a personal computer, close to 60% of people with

a disability fall into that category.

 Among people with a disability, those who have impaired vision and problems with

manual dexterity have even lower rates of Internet access and are less likely to use a

computer regularly than people with hearing difficulties. This difference holds in the

aggregate, as well as across age groups.

 Large gaps also remain regarding Internet penetration rates among households of
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different races and ethnic origins. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have

maintained the highest level of home Internet access at 56.8%. Blacks and Hispanics,

at the other end of the spectrum, continue to experience the lowest household Internet

penetration rates at 23.5% and 23.6%, respectively. 

 Large gaps for Blacks and Hispanics remain when measured against the national average

Internet penetration rate.

-- The divide between Internet access rates for Black households and the national

average rate was 18 percentage points in August 2000 (a 23.5% penetration rate for

Black households, compared to 41.5% for households nationally). That gap is 3

percentage points wider than the 15 percentage point gap that existed in December

1998.

-- The Internet divide between Hispanic households and the national average rate was

18 percentage points in August 2000 (a 23.6% penetration rate for Hispanic

households, compared to 41.5% for households nationally). That gap is 4 percentage

points wider than the 14 percentage point gap that existed in December 1998.

-- With respect to individuals, while about a third of the U.S. population uses the

Internet at home, only 16.1% of Hispanics and 18.9% of Blacks use the Internet at

home. 

-- Differences in income and education do not fully account for this facet of the digital

divide. Estimates of what Internet access rates for Black and Hispanic households

would have been if they had incomes and education levels as high as the nation as a

whole show that these two factors account for about one-half of the differences. 

 With regard to computer ownership, the divide appears to have stabilized, although it

remains large. 

-- The August 2000 divide between Black households and the national average rate with

regard to computer ownership was 18 percentage points(a 32.6% penetration rate for

Black households, compared to 51.0% for households nationally). That gap is

statistically no different from the gap that existed in December 1998.

-- Similarly, the 17 percentage point difference between the share of Hispanic

households with a computer (33.7%) and the national average (51.%) did not register

a statistically significant change from the December 1998 computer divide.

 Individuals 50 years of age and older are among the least likely to be Internet users. The

Internet use rate for this group was only 29.6% in 2000. However, individuals in this age

group were almost three times as likely to be Internet users if they were in the labor force

than if they were not.
Page xviii FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

 Two-parent households are nearly twice as likely to have Internet access as single-parent

households (60.6% for dual-parent, compared to 35.7% for male-headed households and

30.0% for female-headed households). In central cities, only 22.8% of female-headed

households have Internet access. 

 Even with broadband services, a relatively new technology used by only 10.7% of online

households, there are disparities. Rural areas, for example, are now lagging behind

central cities and urban areas in broadband penetration at 7.3%, compared to 12.2% and

11.8%, respectively. 

Americans are using the Internet in the following ways: 

 E-mail remains the Internet’s most widely used application –79.9% of Internet users

reported using e-mail. 

 Online shopping and bill paying are seeing the fastest growth. 

 Low income users were the most likely to report using the Internet to look for jobs.

 The August 2000 data show that schools, libraries, and other public access points

continue to serve those groups that do not have access at home. For example, certain

groups are far more likely to use public libraries to access the Internet, such as the

unemployed, Blacks, and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Internet access is no longer a luxury item, but a resource used by many. Overall, the findings in this

report show that there has been tremendous progress in just 20 months, but much work remains to

be done. Computer ownership and Internet access rates are rapidly rising nationwide and for almost

all groups. Nonetheless, there are still sectors of Americans that are not digitally connected. 
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 1

1

 The share of homes with computer and Internet access represents a widely used gauge of electronic connectivity for

a country’s population. The three previous reports in the Falling Through the Net series beginning in 1995 have

focused on this metric, as have reports done in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan,

Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. This measure is used because, in some cases, data on a household basis are

the only data available. As more demographic data on people’s access become available, as those covered in the second

part of this report, other metrics can be expected to become more common.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

PART I

HOUSEHOLD ACCESS TO COMPUTERS AND THE INTERNET

Americans bought home computers and hooked them up to the Internet at a remarkable rate between

December 1998 and August 2000. In just 20 months, the share of households with Internet access

soared by 58%, from 26.2% to 41.5%, while the share of households with computers rose from

42.1% to 51.0%.1 More than 80% of households with computers also have Internet access today,

up from little more than 60% in 1998.

8.2

15.0

22.8 24.1

36.6

42.1

51.0

18.6

26.2

41.5

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1984 1988 1992 1996 2000

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current 

Population Survey supplements.

Percent of U.S. Households

Computer

Internet

Figure I-1

Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer and Internet Access, 

Selected Years

Virtually every group has participated in the sharp upward trend of Americans connecting their

homes to the Internet. Large gains occurred at every income category, at all education levels, among

all racial groups, in both rural and urban America, and in every family type. As documented since

1997, certain groups are much further ahead than others in establishing Internet connections from

home. This year, however, we found that households in the middle income and education ranges

are gaining ground in connecting to the Internet at a rate as fast or faster than those at the top ranges.
Page 2 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

2 Gauging the progress of a given group relative to others with respect to computer and Internet access can be

accomplished in several ways. In this report, we have made use of two indicia: percentage-point change and percentage

change (expansion rate).

3 As of August 2000, there were an estimated 105 million households in the United States.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

The rapid growth in computer and Internet use among those in the middle income and education

ranges and among relatively disadvantaged populations suggests that, in some cases, the digital

divide has begun to narrow or will do so soon, and that we are entering a period of fuller digital

inclusion. In general, groups with very low adoption levels in 1998 experienced some of the highest

expansion or growth rates over the last two years, even though they may not have experienced a high

percentage-point change.2 (See Tables I-1 and I-2 on pages 30 and 31.)

This section of the report examines the prevalence of households with home computers and Internet

access by various demographic and geographic breakdowns, and also discusses reasons why some

households with computers chose not to go online. We also look at the penetration of higher speed

Internet access. Although still modest -- 11% of Internet users and 4% of all households -- these

broadband connectivity rates establish a benchmark for future comparisons. 

OVERALL HOUSEHOLD FINDINGS: THE NATION MOVES TOWARD

DIGITAL INCLUSION

Between December 1998 and August 2000, U.S. households’ access to computers and the Internet

grew dramatically. According to the latest survey, 43.6 million households (or 41.5% of all

households) had Internet access.3

 The percentage of homes with household Internet access registered

an impressive 58% gain from the 26.2% penetration rate in December 1998. 

Computer ownership has also continued to soar. In August 2000 53.7 million households had

computers. The percentage of homes with computers rose by 21%, from 42.1% to 51.0%, from

December 1998 to August 2000. Taking a slightly longer view, since 1997, computer penetration

has risen by almost 40%, while Internet access has soared by 123%.

The rapid uptake of the Internet is perhaps best revealed by examining the growing percentage of

households with computers or other devices that connect to the Internet. In 1997, just over half of

all households with computers had Internet access. By 2000, that figure had surged to four out of

five households. 

DIGITAL INCLUSION PROCEEDS UNEVENLY

The tremendous growth in household computer and Internet use has occurred across all demographic

groups, including income and education levels, races, locations, and household types. Nevertheless,

some Americans are still connecting at far lower rates than others, creating a digital divide (i.e., a

difference in rates of access to computers and the Internet) among different demographic groups.
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 3

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Certain groups (such as Whites, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and those with higher

income and education levels) have higher than average levels of computer ownership and Internet

access. These groups have generally exhibited greater percentage point changes (that is, the change

in penetration rate from one survey to the next). On the other hand, they exhibit slower expansion

or growth rates (i.e., growth in the percentage rate). At the same time, groups with lower penetration

rates (such as Blacks, Hispanics, and those with lower income and education levels) are exhibiting

smaller percentage point changes but higher expansion rates because they are starting from a much

lower base and have more opportunity for rapid, and greater, expansion. For example, a group that

had a penetration rate of 10% in December 1998 and 20% in August 2000 would exhibit a 100%

expansion rate but only a 10 percentage point change. 

A case in point centers on households with both high income and high education levels. These

households made substantial percentage point gains in Internet access over 20 months. They had

already achieved relatively high levels of penetration by December 1998. Their expansion rates

since that date, however, have been matched or surpassed by those with mid-range incomes and

levels of education. 

The pattern exhibited thus far by household access to both computers and the Internet accords with

the “S-curve” pattern typically observed in the adoption of new technologies. Historically, when a

new technology is first introduced, the number of users expands rapidly but from a low base. Over

time, as a group reaches the middle range of the S-curve, the growth rate tends to slow while the

point change continues to increase. Once the penetration nears its saturation point (at the higher end

of the S-curve), both the percentage point change and the expansion rate begin to decrease.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1

Time

Percent

Figure I-2

An Illustrative S Curve

The adoption rates along these curves depend on a number of factors, including the awareness of the

new technology, the affordability of that technology, adaptations to the technology to widen its

potential market, and the attraction for people to use the technology as its usage becomes
Page 4 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

4 The “urban” category includes those areas classified as being urbanized (having a population density of at least 1,000

persons per square mile and a total population of at least 50,000) as well as cities, villages, boroughs (except in Alaska

and New York), towns (except in the six New England states, New York, and Wisconsin), and other designated census

areas having 2,500 or more persons. A “central city” is the largest city within a “metropolitan” area, as defined by the

Census Bureau. Additional cities within the metropolitan area can also be classified as central cities if they meet certain

employment, population, and employment/residence ratio requirements. All areas not classified by the Census Bureau

as urban are defined as rural and generally include places of less than 2,500 persons. About 1/4 of all households were

in rural areas in August 2000.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

widespread. The purchase of computers for the home has been spurred not only by falling prices and

more user-friendly software, but also by public policy decisions not to regulate or otherwise impede

the rapid expansion of the Internet. For Internet access itself, the continuation of public policies to

promote competition (that lowers prices and improves quality) and to make new technologies more

accessible will substantially influence the uptake rates of the current groups of information “havenots,” and will help move these groups to greater digital inclusion. 

Below we examine variations in household Internet and computer access, looking at differences in

geography, income, race/ethnicity, education, and household type.

GEOGRAPHY

One of the most dramatic shifts that has occurred since December 1998 has been the increase in

Internet access by rural households. Rural areas narrowed the divide when compared to the national

average. In contrast, central cities had significant increases in access, but fell behind other parts of

the country in terms of the gains in access. Urban areas, even though they include central cities,

continue to have a greater percentage of households with Internet penetration than rural areas.4 Data

relating to Internet access by geography can be found in the Appendix, Figures A8-A10, A12-A14.

26.2 27.5

24.5

22.2

41.5 42.3

37.7 38.9

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

U.S. Urban Central City Rural

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Comm erce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey.

Percent of U.S. Households

1998

2000

Figure I-3

Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access

 By U.S., Rural, Urban and Central Cities, 1998 and 2000
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 5

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Rural Households Narrow the Gap

Rural households, which historically trailed those in central cities and urban areas, are showing

significant gains in Internet access. The gap between households in rural areas and households

nationwide that access the Internet has recently narrowed. There was a 4.0 percentage point

difference in 1998, narrowing to a 2.6 point difference in 2000.

In rural areas this year, 38.9% of households had Internet access, an increase of 75% from 1998's

access rate of 22.2%. In October 1997, just 14.8% of rural households had online access.

Rural Black households, which have historically had the lowest rates of Internet access, made

significant gains. In December 1998, 7.1% of those households had Internet access. By 2000, the

figure jumped to 19.9%.

The growth in rural Internet household access has come at all income levels, with the lowest levels

showing some of the highest growth rates. As a result, the Internet access rates for rural households

now approximate those of households across the country.

4.6

9.3

15.4

26.4

38.7

53.7

11.3

20.3

31.5

41.8

59.5

76.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Under 15 15-24.999 25-34.999 35-49.999 50-74.999 75+

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population 

Survey supplements. Percent of U.S. Households

1998

2000

Figure I-4

Percent of Rural Households with Internet Access By Income ($000s),

 1998 and 2000

In the lowest income category, households with income below $15,000, Internet access for rural

households rose from 4.6% to 11.3%. At most of the other income levels, rural households now

come close to the nationwide figures, having doubled their access rates through the middle income

levels. Growth rates have been slower at the highest income levels, but the access rates are only

slightly below the national average.

Slower Growth in Central Cities

In contrast to the strong growth in rural areas, households in central cities have experienced much

lower rates of increase for their Internet penetration. In August 2000, 37.7% of central city
Page 6 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

5 In surveys underlying this report, persons of Hispanic origin were determined through self-identification by place of

origin or descent. Persons of Hispanic origin are those who indicated that their origin was Mexican-American, Chicano,

Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Hispanic. People of Hispanic ethnicity can be of

any race. In the tabulations throughout this analysis, people of Hispanic origin are grouped as Hispanic and excluded

from the race categories. Throughout this report, “Whites” should be read as “Whites, non-Hispanic” and “Blacks”

should be read as “Blacks, non-Hispanic.” 

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

households had Internet access, contrasted with the national figure of 41.5%–a gap of 3.8 percentage

points. In December 1998, central city households had a 24.5% access rate, 1.7 percentage points

lower than the national rate. In terms of the national figures, the gap appears to be growing, rather

than narrowing, and central cities have slipped below the rural areas in terms of household access.

Although households in central cities experienced double-digit growth in household Internet access,

their access rate was below that of the national average. The increase for central city households

from December 1998 to August 2000 was 13.2 percentage points (an expansion of 54%). This

compares to an increase over the 14 months between the 1997 and 1998 surveys of 7.2 points (a

growth rate of 42%).

 Every income category for central city households showed double-digit percentage growth between

1998 and 2000. At the lowest income level, below $15,000, household Internet access nearly

doubled, from 7.7% in 1998 to 13.5% in 2000 (an increase of 75%).

Black households in central cities registered a 20.1% access rate, about double the 1998 rate of

10.2%, but slightly below the national average for Blacks of 23.5%. The Hispanic households in

central cities had a 21.5% access rate, a little more than double the 1998 figure of 10.2%, but slightly

below the national average for Hispanic households of 23.6%.5

 White central city households had

a 47.1% Internet access rate, up from 32.3% in December 1998.

Urban Areas Continue Above-Average Internet Access

 Urban areas continue to have the highest household Internet penetration rates. The rate of growth

in household Internet access in urban areas between 1998-2000 was about the same as it was for

central cities, about 57%. However, the level of Internet access in urban areas started from a high

level, and continues to exceed the national average. 

In urban areas, 42.3% of households had Internet access, contrasted with 41.5% of households

nationally in 2000. Urban households have seen a steady increase over the last three years. In 1997,

the Internet penetration rate for urban households was 19.9%. It grew to 27.5% in 1998. The lowest

income levels saw a 72% increase between 1998 and 2000, which translated to a 5.5 percentage point

increase to the current level of 13.2% access for households with incomes under $15,000. The

$75,000+ category had a household access rate of 78.0%, the highest single category rate for the

geographic regional breakdown.

Each racial and ethnic group had higher household Internet penetration rates in urban areas than in

rural areas. Urban Black households registered a 24.0% access rate, up from 11.7% in December

1998, and contrasted with the rural figure of 19.9% for Black households. Hispanic households had
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 7

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

a 23.9% rate, up from 12.9% in December 1998, and above the 19.9% rural rate for Hispanic

households. The White household rate in urban areas was 48.3%, up from 32.4% in December 1998,

and above the national average of 46.1%.

Snapshot from Geographical Regions

The West continues to be the most on-line region of the country, with household Internet access of

46.6%, followed by the Northeast (43.0%), Midwest (40.9%), and South (37.9%). Rural areas in

the Northeast registered the highest access rate (49.9%), followed by urban areas in the West

(47.2%). Northeast central city regions had the lowest household access rate (33.1%), followed by

rural regions in the South (33.8%).

Computer Ownership by Geography

Nationally, just over half (51%) of households own computers, up from 42.1% in December 1998.

Urban areas had the highest rate of ownership (51.5%), increasing 8.6 points in the last 20 months.

Rural areas, tracking the growth in Internet access, increased 9.7 percentage points, to reach a

household ownership level of 49.6%. Central cities had a 46.3% ownership rate, up 7.8 points since

December 1998. All data relating to computer ownership by geography can be found in the

Appendix, Figures A2-A4, A6-A7. 

24.1

22.1

24.8

22.0

36.6 34.9

37.2

32.8

42.1

39.9

42.9

38.5

51.0 49.6 51.5

46.3

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

U.S. Rural Urban Central City

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population 

Survey supplements. Percent of U.S. Households

1994

1997

1998

2000

Figure I-5

Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer

By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000

Households in all regions at all income levels also showed improvement in computer ownership.

In both central cities and in urban areas, 20% of households with less than $15,000 in income now

own computers, contrasted with 17% of rural households in the same income bracket. Nationally,

19.2% of households with less than $15,000 owned a computer in August 2000, up from 14.5% in

December 1998.
Page 8 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

6 Although the Census Bureau collected data on household income in $5,000 increments up to $35,000, this report depicts changes

in wider income bands. Since the latest ceiling for poverty income is $13,300 for a family of three and $17,000 for a family of four,

it seemed appropriate to set the first breakpoint at $15,000.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

INCOME

Although computers and Internet access are coming down in price, they are still sufficiently

expensive that household income remains an important factor in home Internet access. Nevertheless,

households across all income levels and throughout the country have made significant gains in

Internet access since December 1998. Some of the biggest gains have come at every income level

in rural areas. In addition, gains have been made at all income levels by different racial and ethnic

groups. Data relating to Internet access by income can be found in the Appendix, Figures A9 and

A11. 

Internet Penetration Rises Across Income Levels

Household Internet access continues to correlate closely with income. Across the United States,

however, households in the lower income bands registered increases in Internet access much faster

than the national 58% gain. Households with less than $15,000 in income had a 12.7% Internet

penetration rate, 79% higher than in December 1998.6

 Between 1997 and 1998, the income band

improved 82%, from 3.9% penetration to 7.1%. At the $15,000-$24,999 income levels, 21.3% of

households had Internet access. The rate of increase between 1998 and 2000 was 93%, as the

penetration rate increased steadily from 8.1% in 1997, to 11.0% in 1998, to 21.3% in 2000. In

August 2000, the penetration rate for households with incomes between $25,000 and $34,999 stood

at 34.0%, an increase of 78% over the 19.1% penetration rate in 1998.

7.1

11.0

19.1

29.5

43.9

60.3

12.7

21.3

34.0

46.2

60.9

77.7

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Under 15 15-24.999 25-34.999 35-49.999 50-74.999 75+

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Comm erce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population 

Survey supplem ents. Percent of U.S. Households

1998

2000

Figure I-6

Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access 

By Income ($000s), 1998 and 2000

All three income ranges beyond $35,000 had the same 17 point gain from 1998 to 2000. Households

with income between $35,000 and $49,999 achieved a 46.1% Internet penetration rate in 2000, up
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 9

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

from 29.0% in 1998. Households with incomes between $50,000 and $74,999 went from 43.9% to

60.9%, while those at $75,000 and above climbed from 60.3% to 77.7%. With the same point gain

but starting from much lower initial levels, the $35,000-$49,999 and the $50,000-$74,999 income

groups had larger expansion rates than the highest income group.

Geographic Areas Show Different Rates of Increase

Different areas of the country showed different rates of growth in household Internet penetration at

incomes below $75,000. At the highest income level ($75,000 and higher) household penetration

was relatively equal in all geographic areas at 77%.

For households earning less than $15,000 annually, rural households had the lowest penetration rate

at 11.3%. However, that rate is more than double what it was for the same group of households in

1998 (at 4.5%). In other locations, however, the household penetration rate for the lowest income

group is higher, even if the rate of growth is lower. In urban areas, for example, 13.2% of lowestincome households had Internet access, an increase of 5.5 percentage points (72% higher than 1998

levels). Central city households with incomes below $15,000 achieved a 13.5% penetration rate in

2000, a 75% increase from 1998.

Rural areas at all income levels showed the highest percentage increases in penetration rates. In

addition to the 146.5% for the lowest income group, households with incomes between $15,000 and

$24,999 achieved increases of almost 120%. Increases in Internet access across all income levels

in other areas were lower, but all showed improvement. In urban areas, for example, Internet access

among households with incomes between $15,000 and $24,999 grew 87% in 2000 over their 1998

access rates. Central city households, however, had lower increases than rural areas. The household

income brackets with the highest percentage increases were the group with less than $15,000 income,

which achieved a 75% increase, to a 13.5% penetration level, and the group between $15,000 and

$24,999, which had a 61% increase, achieving a 20.7% access level for 2000.

Low-Income Households Show Computer Ownership Gains

Almost one-fifth (19.2%) of households in the lowest income bracket (under $15,000 per year) now

own computers, an increase of 4.7 percentage points from the 14.5% figure in December 1998.

Overall, households at the lowest income levels increased their ownership of computers by

approximately one-third in August 2000 over the December 1998 levels.
Page 10 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

14.5

23.7

35.8

50.2

66.3

79.9

19.2

30.1

44.6

58.6

73.2

86.3

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Under 15 15-24.999 25-34.999 35-49.999 50-74.999 75+

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Comm erce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population 

Survey supplem ents.

Percent of U.S. Households

1998

2000

Figure I-7

Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer 

By Income ($000s), 1998 and 2000

At other income levels, 30.1% of households in the $15,000-$24,999 bracket had computers in 2000,

a 27% increase over 1998. The next fastest growing income bracket for computer penetration was

$25,000-$34,999. In that group, 44.6% of households owned a computer, an increase of 25% from

the 35.8% penetration rate in 1998. In August 2000, 17.0% of rural households at the lowest income

level owned a computer, contrasted with 19.9% of households with less than $15,000 income in

urban areas and in central cities. 

At income levels of more than $75,000, 86.3% of households had a computer, up from 79.9% in

1998. The ownership rate in central cities (83.7%) trailed the national average at that income.

For all three income categories above $35,000, rural households were as likely as their urban peers

to have a computer at home.

Data relating to computer ownership by income can be found in the Appendix, Figures A3 and A5.

EDUCATION

Home computer and Internet access rates vary by the education level of the reference person or

householder (a person residing in the housing unit who owns it or is responsible for its rent). Better

educated adults are more likely to use and become familiar with computers and the Internet at work

or through their school experiences. In December 1998, 53.0% of households headed by a person

with education beyond college had Internet access. That surpassed the access rate for households

headed by a person with a bachelor’s degree (46.8%), those with some college experience (30.2%),

those with some college experience (16.3%), and those with less than a high school diploma (5.0%).
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 11

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

5.0

16.3

30.2

46.8

53.0

11.7

29.9

49.0

64.0

69.9

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Less than high school High school Some college Bachelor's degree Post graduate

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey 

supplements. Percent of U.S. Households

1998

2000

Figure I-8

Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access 

By Education of Householder, 1998 and 2000

The same patterns existed in August 2000, although rates have soared for all educational levels in

the last 20 months. Of households headed by someone with post-college education, 69.9% had

Internet access. That compares to households headed by someone with a college degree alone

(64.0%), those with some college experience (49.0%), those educated beyond high school but no

college degree (29.9%), and those with less than a high school degree (11.7%).

The 1998-2000 expansion rates were highest for those at lower levels of education. For example,

Internet access expanded by 135% for those with less than a high school education, by 62% for those

with some college, and by 32% for those with post college education.

The median level of education among adult family heads is some college. This group had a larger

point gain over the last 20 months 19 points than households in the two higher education categories

with 17 point gains each. Data relating to Internet access and computer ownership by education

level can be found in the Appendix, Figures A6 and A12.

The interplay between education and income levels is worth examining more closely. Although both

of these factors correlated with Internet access, as we have seen, they are also linked to each other.

In terms of home Internet access rates, the ratio of the highest group to the lowest is more than five

to one for both the income and education categories in Table I-2. Since the two are so correlated,

we have examined whether just one factor is dominant and the other represents a misleading

correlation, or whether both are independently associated with Internet access.

Figure I-9 presents some evidence that both income and education are independently associated with

Internet access. Although the average Internet access rate for incomes of $75,000 and greater is

77.7%, it ranges from 82% for those with a college degree or more down to 51% for those with less

than a high school education. Likewise, households with incomes between $15,000 and $34,999 had

an average access rate of 28%, ranging from 46% for college or more down to 11% for less than high

school. The same wide disparities occur within education categories. For example, among

households in which the householder had some schooling beyond high school but not a college
Page 12 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

degree, home Internet access reached 76% in the over $75,000 income group but only 26% in the

under $15,000 income group. Among households with incomes below $15,000 and less than a high

school education, only 4% had Internet access at home.

$75,000+ $35,000-

74,999 $15,000-

34,999 Under

$15,000

Less than high school

High school

Some college

College degree or more

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Percent of U.S. Households

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of 

Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplements.

Figure I-9

Percent of U.S. Households with Home Internet Access 

By Income and Education, 2000

Once again, groups with higher initial penetration rates generally had large point gains but lower

than average expansion rates, as shown in Table I-2. Those with the lowest incomes and education

had much lower initial home Internet rates in 1998; however, they had the largest expansion rates.

Although the expansion rate for the country was 58%, no group with post high school education and

incomes above $35,000 had expansion rates that large. Among those with at least a college degree,

only those with the lowest household incomes had expansion rates above the national average.

The largest point gains (between 20 to 22 points) were registered by those with incomes above

$75,000 and less than a college degree and those with $35,000 to $74,999 in income and some

college education. Indeed, households with incomes more than $75,000 and at least a college degree

have reached the flattening stage of the “S-Curve.” Their 16.3 point gain leaves that group so close

that they would hit 100% in less than two years if they continued at the recent pace.

RACE AND ETHNICITY

Between December 1998 and August 2000, there has also been a surge in uptake of Internet and

computer access among households of different ethnic and racial origins.
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 13

7

 Last month, for the first time in its long-running reports on poverty and income, the Census Bureau did include results

for AIAE, but only by pooling the last three years of data collected. We do not have three years of data collected on a

comparable basis to produce separate numbers for AIAE. Data for AIAE households can be found, however, in the

public use file which can be found at www.ntia.doc.gov, www.esa.doc.gov, and at www.bls.census.gov/cps/ cpsmain.htm.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

29.8

11.2

36.0

12.6

46.1

23.5

56.8

23.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

W hite Black Asian Amer. & Pac. Isl. Hispanic 

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Comm erce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population 

Survey supplem ents. Percent of U.S. Households

1998

2000

Figure I-10

Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access 

By Race/Hispanic Origin, 1998 and 2000

Households of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have maintained the greatest Internet

penetration at 56.8% in 2000. This group has also experienced the most dramatic growth in

home Internet access in the last two years: an increase of 20.8 percentage points (from 36.0% in

1998). White households continued to have the second highest rate of access at 46.1% and

experienced a growth of 16.3 percentage points (from 29.8% in 1998). 

At the other end of the spectrum, Black and Hispanic households continue to experience the

lowest Internet penetration rates (at 23.5% and 23.6%, respectively). Internet uptake by Black

and Hispanic households has been strong in the last two years, however, as shown in Figure I-11. 

Between December 1998 and August 2000, access among Black households doubled from 11.2%

in 1998 to 23.5% in 2000, a gain of 12.3 percentage points. Hispanic households’ access

increased 11 percentage points (from 12.6% in 1998 to 23.6% in 2000).

There is significant variation in Internet access and computer ownership within subgroups of

these broad categories. For example, although Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have high

rates of connectivity as a group, there are subgroups that have lower rates of access due to lower

income levels, educational attainment, or other reasons. By the same token, Blacks and

Hispanics have high levels of connectivity despite lower rates overall. 

This report does not include separate data on American Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos (AIAE)

because the sampled population from that group is too small for credible results.7
Page 14 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

55

110

58

87

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

W hite Black Asian Amer. & Pac. Isl. Hispanic 

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Departm ent of Com m erce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey supplem ents.

Figure I-11

Rate of Growth of Internet Penetration 

By Race/ Hispanic Origin, 1998 to 2000

Although the percentage point change for Blacks and Hispanics was not as high as that for Asian

Americans and Pacific Islanders or Whites, their rates of growth between 1998 and 2000 were

striking. Internet access among Black households more than doubled (a 110% increase) between

1998 and 2000, while Hispanic households’ access grew 87% in the same period. This

compares to a growth rate of 55% for White households and 58% for Asian American and

Pacific Islanders households.

Internet access among racial and ethnic groups continues to differ by geography and income

level. With regard to geography, almost all groups have a slightly higher Internet penetration rate

in urban areas (48.3% for Whites, 24.0% for Blacks, and 23.9% for Hispanics). Groups in rural

areas, on the other hand, have experienced significantly lower penetration rates (40.9% for

Whites, and 19.9% for Blacks and Hispanics). The survey’s sample of rural Asian Americans

and Pacific Islanders is too small for valid comparisons with their urban counterparts.

Income also affects whether households of different ethnic and racial backgrounds have Internet

access. Households earning above $75,000 are highly likely to have Internet access (78.6% for

Whites, 70.9% for Blacks, 63.7% for Hispanics, and 81.6% for Asian Americans and Pacific

Islanders). The rates of connectivity decline significantly as income declines, although less so for

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders households. While Hispanics and Blacks are particularly

unlikely to have Internet access at incomes below $15,000 (5.2% and 6.4%, respectively), 33.2%

of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders households in that lowest income bracket have Internet

access.

Because income and education are so highly correlated with whether households have Internet

access, the question arises as to whether those factors might fully explain the observed gaps
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 15

8 In this shift-share analysis, we used the actual Internet access rates for each of the possible combinations of income and

education levels provided in the Census data for Blacks and Hispanics separately. We then calculated what the Internet

access rate among Blacks and Hispanics would have been if the share of Blacks and Hispanics in each of the incomeeducation combinations had been the same as the national average.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

between the national average and the rates for Blacks and Hispanics. Those two groups as a

whole have lower incomes and lower education levels than the national average. 

Differences in overall income and educational levels of Blacks and Hispanics do not fully

account, however, for their lower levels of home Internet access. After adjusting for the effects

of lower average income and educational attainment with shift-share analysis,8 we observe that:

(1) roughly half of the gap remains; (2) both groups made roughly the same gains over the last 20

months as the national average; and (3) both groups, on this adjusted basis for August 2000, had

substantially surpassed the national average for December 1998. Figure I-12 depicts the results

of this shift-share analysis. In August 2000, both Blacks and Hispanics had home Internet access

18 points below the national average. The effects of having levels of income and education

lower than the national average, however, accounted for 8 percentage points of the gap for

Blacks and for 11 percentage points of the gap for Hispanics. 

41.5

23.6

23.5

26.2

12.6

11.2

0

11.1

8.1

0

7.8

6.3

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

Nation '00

Hispanics '00

Blacks '00

Nation '98

Hispanics '98

Blacks '98

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Comm erce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey supplements.

Actual Rate Adjmt for Inc & Educ

Figure I-12

Income and Education Differences Account for Half of the Gap between

Blacks and Hispanics and the National Average

Over the 20 months from December 1998 to August 2000, the share of homes online rose by 12

points for Blacks, by 11 points for Hispanics and by 15 points for the country as a whole. However,

on an income- and education-adjusted basis, Blacks and Hispanics each rose by 14 points, which is

essentially equivalent to the national gain. The 32% penetration rates for Blacks and the 35% for

Hispanics on an adjusted basis for August 2000, while far short of the national average of 42%, were

both well above the national rate of 26% in December 1998.

Data relating to Internet access among households of different races and ethnic origins can be found

in the Appendix, Figures A10-A11.
Page 16 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

The Internet Divide Continues 

Substantial disparities have continued to widen, both when comparing Blacks and Hispanics against

the national average and when comparing them against Whites. The divide between the Black

household Internet access rates and the national average rate increased 3.0 percentage points, from

15.0 percentage points in December 1998 to 18.0 percentage points in August 2000. The divide

between Hispanic households and the national average rate increased 4.3 percentage points, from

13.6 percentage points in December 1998 to 17.9 percentage points in August 2000.

A similar widening occurred between racial groups. Between October 1997 and December 1998,

the gap between White and Black households grew 5.1 percentage points, from a 13.5 percentage

point difference in 1997 to a 18.6 percentage point difference in 1998. In the 20- month period

between December 1998 and August 2000, the divide between White and Black households

increased 4 percentage points, resulting in a percentage point difference of 22.6 points between

White and Black households. The gap between White and Hispanic households grew 4.7 percentage

points between 1997 and 1998, and then continued to widen even further (by 5.3 percentage points)

between 1998 and 2000. 

Between Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Whites, the gap grew from 6.2 percentage points

in 1998 to 10.7 percentage points in 2000. No 1997 data are available for Asian Americans and

Pacific Islanders.

While this measure of the Internet divide continued to widen, the high rates of expansion for Blacks

and Hispanics suggest that, in time, this widening will subside. If computer ownership provides any

pattern, we may soon see some stabilization and perhaps even narrowing of the Internet divide.

46.6

23.2

55.0

25.5

55.7

32.6

65.6

33.7

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

W hite Black Asian Amer. & Pac. Isl. Hispanic 

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Comm erce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population 

Survey supplem ents.

Percent of U.S. Households

1998

2000

Figure I-13

Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer 

By Race/Hispanic Origin, 1998 and 2000
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 17

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

The Computer Divide Has Stabilized

Households of different ethnic and racial backgrounds also had disparate rates of ownership of

computers. As with Internet access, households of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders continue

to exhibit the highest penetration rates (65.6%), followed by White households (55.7%), Hispanics

(33.7%), and Blacks (32.6%). 

All ethnic groups experienced comparable increases in computer penetration since 1998: ownership

in 2000 was 10.6 percentage points higher for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, 9.4 percentage

points higher for Blacks, 9.1 points higher for Whites, and 8.2 points higher for Hispanics.

As with Internet access, computer ownership is strongly influenced by income. Households earning

more than $75,000 are consistently likely to own computers: 87.0% for White households, 86.9%

for those of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, 83.4% for Blacks, and 76.1% for Hispanics. The

computer divide becomes more pronounced at lower income levels, although less so for households

of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. At incomes less than $15,000, Black households and

Hispanic households are particularly unlikely to have computers (11.5% and 12.5%), compared to

White households (22.8%) and Asian American and Pacific Islander households (39.4%).

Geography also plays a role in a household’s likelihood of owning a computer. In general, those in

rural areas are less likely to own computers (51.8% for Whites, 28.8% for Hispanics, and 27.5% for

Blacks), while households in urban areas exceed the national average (57.3% for Whites, 34.2% for

Hispanics, and 33.3% for Blacks).

Perhaps most significantly, the data show that digital divide regarding computer penetration has

stabilized. Large gaps remain between the share of Black and Hispanic households with a computer

and the national average, but the gaps did not widen from 1998 to 2000. The divide between the

percent of Black households with a computer and the national average rate declined 0.5 percentage

points, from 18.9 percentage points in December 1998 to 18.4 percentage points in August 2000.

The divide between the percent of Hispanic households with a computer and the national average

rate increased 0.7 percentage points, from 16.6 percentage points in December 1998 to 17.3

percentage points in August 2000.

Because computer penetration for White, Black, and Hispanic households increased by comparable

amounts, the gaps in computer penetration when comparing these groups of households have also

stabilized. The gaps widened from 1994 to 1998, but did not widen further from 1998 to 2000. 

Data relating to computer ownership among households by race and ethnic origin can be found in

the Appendix, Figures A4-A5. 

HOUSEHOLD TYPE

The makeup of a household –such as the presence or absence of children, and whether there are one

or two parents– is also associated with that household’s likelihood of having computer and

particularly Internet access. Even here, however, single-parent households have made great strides

since December 1998, and are catching up to dual-parent households at higher income levels. Data
Page 18 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

39.3

19.5

15.0

27.2

17.5

60.6

35.7

30.0

43.2

28.1

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Married couple w/

child <18

Male household w/

child <18

Female household

w/ child <18

Family households

w/o child <18

Non-family

households

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population 

Survey supplements.

Percent of U.S. Households

1998

2000

Figure I-14

 Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer 

By Family Type, 1998 and 2000

relating to Internet access and computer ownership by household type can be found in the Appendix,

Figures A7 and A13.

Internet Access is Highest for Households with Two Parents, Although Single Parent Households are

Making Gains

Households with two parents and children have much higher rates of Internet access than other

family types. As in 1998, married couples with children under 18 are far more likely to have Internet

access (60.6%) than married couples without children (43.2%). This high connectivity rate for

couples with children holds true regardless of whether they live in urban areas (61.5%), rural areas

(58.3%), or central cities (55.1%). Those in “non-family households” (single or unmarried people),

on the other hand, are the least likely to have Internet access (at 28.1%). Of all household types,

non-family households in rural areas are the least likely to have Internet access (20.2%).

Having one or two parents is also related to whether a family has Internet access. Two-parent

households are nearly twice as likely to have Internet access as single-parent households (60.6% for

dual-parent, versus 35.7% for male-headed households with children less than 18 years of age, and

30.0% for female-headed households with children less than 18 years of age). Female-headed

households in central cities are particularly unlikely to have Internet access (22.8%), as are maleheaded households in rural areas (30.3%).

The differences among household types are most distinct at the middle income levels. At incomes

below $15,000, on the other hand, the disparities diminish somewhat: 19.7% for dual-parent

households; 14.5% for male-headed households; 12.6% for female-headed households; 13.5% for

family households without children; and 11.4% for non-family households. Similarly, the gap

narrows at incomes above $75,000: 84.4% for dual-parent households; 69.4% for male-headed
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 19

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

households; 67.9% for female-headed households; 74.5% for family households without children;

and 68.4% for non-family households.

While single parents trail significantly behind two-parent households in Internet access, they have

shown the most change since 1998. Connectivity among female-headed households doubled

between 1998 and 2000 (from 15.0% to 30.0%). Connectivity among male-headed households also

grew substantially (by 83%) from 19.5% in 1998 to 35.7% in 2000. In time then, the gap between

single and dual-parent households may close, as is already becoming apparent at the highest income

level. 

Computer Penetration Highest for Dual-Parent Households at Highest Income Level

As with Internet access, computers are far more likely to be in households with children and two

parents. Married couples with children under 18 years of age own computers at much higher rates

(73.2%) than married couples without children (52.5%), male-headed households (45.6%), femaleheaded households (42.9%), or “non-family” (single or unmarried) households (34.6%). Despite

these differences, the disparities among these groups are less dramatic than with Internet access,

perhaps because computers are more prevalent as an older and more widely-adopted technology.

As with Internet access, single-parent families have also shown the greatest rate of growth in the last

two years (30.3% for male-headed households, and 35.3% for female-headed households),

suggesting that the gap between dual-parent and single-parent families may begin to close in time.

Again, we find differences by location. Female-headed households and male-headed households in

central cities are much less likely to own computers (34.9% and 43.1%, respectively) than those in

rural or urban areas. By contrast, computer penetration declines in rural areas for households without

children (48.0% for family households without children, and 26.2% for single/unmarried

households). 

Computer ownership also varies by income. Particularly notable is the high penetration rate of

computers in families earning $75,000 or more. Dual-parent families in this high-income bracket

have a 93.1% penetration rate. That is, nearly every household falling into this group has a

computer. Computer penetration is also high for other household types at this income level: 84.2%

for male-headed households; 82.3% for female-headed households; 82.8% for households without

children; and 76.6% for non-family households. 

Computer penetration drops dramatically at the lowest income levels for almost all households types.

The significant exception is for married couples with children: one-third (33.3%) of these families

still own computers even at incomes below $15,000. This relatively high penetration rate suggests

that computers are becoming an affordable and desirable purchase for many families, even for those

in the lowest income bracket. 
Page 20 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

HOUSEHOLDS WITH COMPUTERS AND INTERNET ACCESS BY STATE

The figures on home computer and Internet access at the state level also show wide disparities but

remarkably strong growth throughout the country. (Tables I-A and I-B) The gap between the top tier

of states and the bottom tier has narrowed for computers and it has remained roughly stable for

Internet access.

In December 1998, computer ownership ranged from percentages in the low 60s for the top tier of

states to the 26% to 28% range for the bottom tier of states. By August 2000, a few states had

reached computer ownership percentages in the mid-60s while no state was estimated to have fewer

than 37% of homes with computers. Thus, the range between the highest states and the lowest states

narrowed by about 10 percentage points, from the high 30s to the high 20s.

Internet penetration rates for December 1998 were estimated as low as the 14% to 18% range

(Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia), while four states (Colorado, New Hampshire,

Utah, and Washington) had reached the 35% to 37% range. Alaska was even estimated at 44%. By

August 2000, estimates for six states had reached at least 50% (Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut,

Delaware, New Hampshire, and Oregon) and only two states were estimated below 30% (Arkansas

and Mississippi). As found for the groups with the lowest penetration rates in terms of income,

education, and race/ethnicity, some of the lowest state penetration rates were found to have doubled

over this 20 month period.
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 21

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Table I-A. Percent of Households with Computers, by State: 2000

(Numbers in thousands.)

State Total Households Percent with Computers 90% Confidence Interval

Alabama 1,742 44.2 2.83

Alaska 219 64.8 2.96

Arizona 1,832 53.5 2.70

Arkansas 1,041 37.3 2.72

California 12,129 56.6 1.20

Colorado 1,636 62.6 2.73

Connecticut 1,235 60.4 3.29

Delaware 290 58.6 3.21

Florida 6,235 50.1 1.48

Georgia 3,066 47.1 2.52

Hawaii 386 52.4 3.61

Idaho 491 54.5 2.71

Illinois 4,566 50.2 1.74

Indiana 2,347 48.8 2.86

Iowa 1,136 53.6 2.95

Kansas 1,010 55.8 2.96

Kentucky 1,614 46.2 2.82

Louisiana 1,650 41.2 2.78

Maine 508 54.7 3.13

Maryland 2,076 53.7 3.04

Massachusetts 2,407 53.0 2.17

Michigan 3,709 51.5 1.86

Minnesota 1,799 57.0 2.91

Mississippi 1,059 37.2 2.81

Missouri 2,155 52.6 2.98

Montana 360 51.5 2.79

Nebraska 637 48.5 3.04

Nevada 690 48.8 2.99

New Jersey 3,091 54.3 1.92

New York 6,971 48.7 1.34

New Hampshire 474 63.7 3.22

New Mexico 667 47.6 2.89

North Carolina 3,047 45.3 2.07

North Dakota 246 47.5 3.01

Ohio 4,351 49.5 1.81

Oklahoma 1,338 41.5 2.69

Oregon 1,280 61.1 2.99

Pennsylvania 4,720 48.4 1.68

Rhode Island 402 47.9 3.23

South Carolina 1,557 43.3 2.98

South Dakota 289 50.4 2.87

Tennessee 2,220 45.7 2.90

Texas 7,353 47.9 1.52

Utah 707 66.1 2.76

Vermont 242 53.7 3.21

Virginia 2,722 53.9 2.74

Washington 2,323 60.7 2.93
Page 22 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Washington, DC 254 48.8 2.97

West Virginia 744 42.8 2.65

Wisconsin 2,031 50.9 2.86

Wyoming 193 58.2 2.91

Table I-B. Percent of Households with Internet Access, by State: 2000

(Numbers in thousands.)

State Total Households Percent with Internet 90% Confidence Interval

Alabama 1,742 35.5 2.73

Alaska 219 55.6 3.08

Arizona 1,832 42.5 2.68

Arkansas 1,041 26.5 2.49

California 12,129 46.7 1.21

Colorado 1,636 51.8 2.82

Connecticut 1,235 51.2 3.37

Delaware 290 50.7 3.26

Florida 6,235 43.2 1.46

Georgia 3,066 38.3 2.46

Hawaii 386 43.0 3.58

Idaho 491 42.3 2.69

Illinois 4,566 40.1 1.71

Indiana 2,347 39.4 2.79

Iowa 1,136 39.0 2.88

Kansas 1,010 43.9 2.96

Kentucky 1,614 36.6 2.72

Louisiana 1,650 30.2 2.59

Maine 508 42.6 3.11

Maryland 2,076 43.8 3.03

Massachusetts 2,407 45.5 2.16

Michigan 3,709 42.1 1.84

Minnesota 1,799 43.0 2.91

Mississippi 1,059 26.3 2.56

Missouri 2,155 42.5 2.95

Montana 360 40.6 2.74

Nebraska 637 37.0 2.93

Nevada 690 41.0 2.94

New Hampshire 474 56.0 3.33

New York 6,971 39.8 1.31

New Jersey 3,091 47.8 1.92

New Mexico 667 35.7 2.78

North Carolina 3,047 35.3 1.99

North Dakota 246 37.7 2.93

Ohio 4,351 40.7 1.78

Oklahoma 1,338 34.3 2.59

Oregon 1,280 50.8 3.07

Pennsylvania 4,720 40.1 1.64

Rhode Island 402 38.8 3.15

South Carolina 1,557 32.0 2.81

South Dakota 289 37.9 2.78

Tennessee 2,220 36.3 2.80

Texas 7,353 38.3 1.48
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 23

9 The term “broadband” is used in this study to include the two most common technologies, Digital Subscriber Line

(DSL) and cable modems, as well as such technologies as Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). These

technologies usually feature broadband capabilities although some applications or connections may possess speeds lower

than the 200 kilobits per second that the Federal Communications Commission defines as broadband. Although a

technology that appears to be on the brink of widespread high-speed capabilities, wireless is more often narrowband in

its current applications. 

10 Survey respondents who stated that they were online at home were asked whether they accessed the Internet through

regular “dial-up” telephone lines or whether they had selected a higher-speed form of connectivity. Where respondents

indicated they had obtained a faster connection, they were also asked to identify the type of access used - - Digital

Subscriber Lines (DSL), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), cable modems, wireless, or other. Today a

relatively small proportion of households access the Internet at higher speeds. The survey results will create an

important baseline to measure growth in high speed Internet access. Data relating to speed of Internet access can be

found in the Appendix, Figures A15-A22.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Utah 707 48.4 2.92

Vermont 242 46.7 3.22

Virginia 2,722 44.3 2.73

Washington, DC 254 39.6 2.90

Washington 2,323 49.7 3.00

West Virginia 744 34.3 2.54

Wisconsin 2,031 40.6 2.81

Wyoming 193 44.1 2.93

A NEW DIMENSION: HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS

One of the bonanzas of rapid technological change has been the development of infrastructure

featuring wider bandwidth and faster transmission speeds. This diffusion of the higher-speed access

services, generally classified as “broadband,” has only just begun.9 This year’s report presents the

results from the first systematic data collection on user access to high-speed broadband service that

has been undertaken in a large scale personal interview survey with a very high response rate.10

In August 2000, 10.7% of online households (about 4.5% of all U.S. households) had broadbandspeed access. The remaining 89.3% of online households (37.0% of all U.S. households) connect

to the Internet by regular dial-up phone service.

Among total broadband households, the overwhelming majority either procure cable modems

(50.8%) or DSL (33.7%) (See Figure I-15). Wireless and satellite (4.6%) and other telephone-based

technologies such as ISDN (10.9%) account for much lower percentages. Broadband preferences can

vary, however, by demographic characteristics. For example, the youngest householders prefer DSL

(50.1%) over cable modems (42.7%), whereas other age groups use relatively more cable modems

than DSL. Location also matters: in central cities, DSL (38.2%) and cable modem (44.2%)

penetrations are relatively close; this contrasts with urban broadband households (which includes

central cities and the suburbs), where the cable modem rate (51.1%) significantly exceeds that for

DSL (33.6%). Regions also produce some wide variations. For example, the West demonstrates
Page 24 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

11 A separate discussion of the roll out of broadband services is contained in the April, 2000, report Advanced

Telecommunications in Rural America: The Challenge of Bringing Broadband Service to All Americans produced by

the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Agriculture. That report found DSL and cable modem services are more readily

available in urban areas.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

a balance between its DSL (43.1%) and cable modem (41.9%) diffusion; this contrasts with the

Northeast’s clear preference for cable modems (62%) over DSL (24.5%).11 

cable

50.8%

DSL

33.7%

satellite/wireless

4.6%

other telephony

10.9%

Figure I-15

High Speed Internet Access, 2000

Percent Distribution

Broadband penetration differs by location as shown in Figure I-16: central city (12.2%) vs. urban

(11.8%) vs. rural (7.3%) vs. U.S. (10.7%). Regional variations occur, as well: the West (11.9%)

surpasses the Midwest (9.2%), while the Northeast (11.0%) and South (10.7%) rank between the

two. The West has both the nation’s highest rate for central city areas (13.0%) and the lowest rate

for rural environs (5.9%).

10.7

12.2 11.8

7.3

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

US Central cities Urban Rural

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Comm erce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey 

supplem ents. Percent of U.S. Households w/ Internet Access

Figure I-16

High Speed Internet Access By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central Cities,

2000, Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access
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The penetration rate generally rises as household income increases because broadband access costs

more than regular dial-up Internet access. Among those online households with family income of

less than $15,000, only 7.7% selected faster access modes, the lowest rate of any income bracket.

Conversely, the most affluent households (with incomes $75,000 and greater) exhibit the highest

proportion of broadband at 13.8%, or more than double the above low-income penetration rate. The

lowest bracket (under $5,000) breaks the pattern, yielding one of the highest percentages (9.9%); this

may reflect the presence of students who desire higher transmission speeds for school or simply

attach a higher priority to faster access. 

Educational attainment above the level of high school also affects broadband percentages. Those

with college degrees (12.5%) exceed the national penetration rate for all households (10.7%). The

households where education levels were high school or less trailed substantially with rates less than

9%. Householders with at least some college (9.9%) ranked in between the two extremes but below

the national average. 

Purchase of faster transmission rates tends to be inversely related to age. The youngest householders

boast the highest broadband penetration (12.3%) –perhaps reflecting the student factor– while

seniors rank the lowest (9.0%). Interestingly, the age group between 45 and 54 can claim one of the

highest penetration rates (11.2%). Internet access speeds vary by race and origins as well, with

minorities registering both the highest and lowest diffusion rates. Asian American and Pacific

Islander households have the highest broadband rate (11.7%), followed by Whites (10.8%). Blacks

(9.8%) and Hispanics (8.9%) rank lowest.

Both the number of parents and gender type are correlated with broadband access rates. Thus, male

householders with children rank highest (12.6%), while female-headed families rank lowest (8.2%).

Two-parent families and families without children both exhibit broadband penetrations (10.6%)

approximating the national average; non-family households (11.7%) exceed this average by a full

percentage point.

NON-INTERNET HOUSEHOLDS

As of August 2000, 41.5% of the Nation’s 105 million households, or 43.6 million homes, had

Internet access. Thus, 58.5% of households (61.6 million) were not connected electronically. In

contrast, in December 1998 there were 76.5 million unconnected households (73.8%). This

movement represents a substantial decline in both the proportion (15.3 percentage points) and

number (a drop of 14.9 million) of non-Internet households relative to 20 months earlier.

 As of August 2000, the number of households that had computers but no Internet access was 10.8

million, down from 16.9 million in December 1998, a decline of 36%. During that time frame, the

proportion of PC households without access fell from 38.4% to 19.8%.
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A household may not be connected to the Internet for a number of reasons. In terms of its historical

experience, a household may have never been connected, or it may have decided to discontinue its

Internet use. We address these situations below.

WHY HOUSEHOLDS WITH COMPUTERS HAVE NEVER HAD INTERNET ACCESS

Within computer households, there are a number of households that have never had an Internet

connection. In August 2000, these households totaled 8.7 million. This figure represents a sizeable

decline from December 1998, when the count equaled 14.4 million, or 66% higher than the 2000

figure. 

During the 2000 survey, “never-connected” households provided a number of reasons for not

accessing the Internet at home (See Figure I-17). The most dominant reason was “don’t want it”

(30.8%). The second most common response: “cost, too expensive” (17.3%). Other leading reasons

for non-access included “can use elsewhere” (10.4%), “not enough time” (9.1%), and “computer not

capable” (6.7%). These data are similar to the breakdown reported from the December 1998 data,

which found the reasons to be: don’t want (25.7%) followed by reasons of cost (16.8%), use

elsewhere (9.6%), and no time (8.7%). In fact, the proportions for these major categories remained

basically the same, with the notable exception of the top (don’t want it) category, which increased

by 5 percentage points.

Problem w/ service 

provider

1% Don't want

31%

Not user friendly

4%

Other

6%

Can use elsewhere

10%

No time

9%

Concern w/ children

5%

Not useful

5%

Cost, too expensive

17%

Computer not capable

7%

Lack of computer 

knowledge

2%

Future access planned

3%

Figure I-17

 Reasons for U.S. Households with a Computer/WebTV Never Accessing

the Internet, Percent Distribution, 2000

Not surprisingly, for low-income households, cost prevails as the most important reason for never

connecting. For those households under $15,000, one-third of respondents (32.6%) cited cost, and

slightly more than one-quarter cited “don’t want it” (26.6%). In contrast, the over-$75,000 bracket

reversed the order of importance: “don’t want it” (30.8%) surpassed cost (9.4%). The cost/don’t-
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want-it nexus occurred at $20,000: those brackets below this threshold ranked cost number one,

while those above placed “don’t want it” first. 

Cost affects other groups that have a computer but never had online access, as well. For example,

more than one in four (26.1%) of the youngest householders (under 25 years of age) regard Internet

connectivity as too expensive, rating it over “don’t want it” (19.1%) as the primary reason for nonaccess in their households. Female householders with children also point to cost as the most

important reason for non-access, with 29.9% of respondents citing this factor versus 22.5% stating

that they “don’t want it.” 

Unlike youngest householders, those in other age brackets regard “don’t want it” as more important

than cost; this is particularly true for seniors (55 years and older), where “don’t want it” (40.4%)

significantly outranks cost (14.5%). All major race/ethnic groups regard “don’t want it” as more

important than the cost factor. This pattern holds for Whites (31.5% vs. 16.4%), Asian Americans

and Pacific Islanders (30.4% vs. 13.0%), and Blacks (31.4% vs. 18.2%); it also holds for Hispanics

but the differential is much less (25.5% vs. 23.7%).

The same relative rankings of “don’t want it” vs. cost occur when viewed by levels of educational

attainment: the difference is most pronounced for those householders with college degrees (29.3%,

11.6%), some high school (36.9%, 20.4%), or a high-school diploma (32.9%, 17.4%), and least for

some college (28.3%, 20.4%). All household types except female-headed families have the same

relative rankings, with male householders with children (36.5%, 22.5%) dramatically reversing the

order from the 1998 survey (18.7%, 23.2%). While employed households(27.8%, 17.7%) continued

the pattern established in December 1998 (23.5%, 16.5%), unemployed households (30.9%, 28.9%)

experienced a major swap of rankings compared to the previous survey (13.3%, 38.2%).

Data relating to households with computers not using the Internet can be found in the Appendix,

Figures A41-A45.

In sum, the number and proportion of never-connected households with computers have decreased

since December 1998. Overall, the most important reasons are "don't want it" and "cost, too

expensive." The former has grown in importance for a number of groups, while cost remains the

paramount reason for lower-income households and a few other groups.

WHY HOUSEHOLDS WITH COMPUTERS HAVE DISCONTINUED INTERNET ACCESS 

 

In August 2000, there were 4.0 million Internet “drop-offs” (i.e, those households that once had but

do not currently have electronic access). That number is essentially unchanged from the 4.1 million

“drop-offs” in December 1998. 

Respondents to the August 2000 survey cited several principal reasons for their households’

decisions to discontinue their Internet access (See Figure I-18). The leading factor noted was “no

longer owns computers” (17.0%). Next in importance were “can use anywhere” (12.8%) and “cost,

too expensive” (12.3%). The other key reasons were “don’t want it” (10.3%), “not enough time”

(10.0%), and “computer requires repair” (9.7%). Also provided as reasons were “moved” (6.1%),
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“not useful” (4.2%), “problems with ISP” (2.9%), “concern with children” (2.3%), “not user

friendly” (1.5%), and “computer capacity issues” (1.2%). “Other” reasons – those that are too

heterogeneous to be included elsewhere– were also given by respondents (9.8%).

Problem w/ service 

provider

3%

Don't want

10%

Not user friendly

2%

Other

10%

Can use elsewhere

No time 13%

10%

Concern w/ children

2%

Not useful

4%

Cost, too expensive

12%

Computer capacity 

issues

1%

Computer requires 

repair

10%

Moved

6%

No longer owns 

computer

17%

Figure I-18

Reasons for U.S. Households Discontinuing Internet Access, Percent

Distribution, 2000

These results reflect changes from the answers given in the December 1998 survey. In 1998,

respondents identified “cost, too expensive” (15%) as the most important reason for dropping off

the network. In 1998, the reason “no longer owns computer” ranked second (14%) and “can use

anywhere” ranked fourth (9%). “Not enough time to use it” registered higher percentage (10% vs.

9%) in 2000 but slipped from third in 1998 to fourth in 2000. Respondents accorded “computer

requires repair” about double the response rate from December 1998 (5%) to August 2000 but had

the same ranking (sixth). “Don’t want it” was the fifth most popular reason in 1998 (7%).

A more disaggregated look at the August 2000 survey results reveals additional insights. Data

relating to discontinued Internet access can be found in the Appendix Table 1. 

As a reason for discontinuing Internet access, “no longer owns a computer” ranks number one and

cost is the number two reason for all income brackets except the highest ($75,000+). The most

affluent income category respondents led with “can use elsewhere,” “computer requires repair,”

“don’t want it,” and “not enough time.”

Looking at different race and ethnic groups, “no longer owns computer” ranked highest for White

households, followed by “can use elsewhere” and “cost.” For Blacks, the ranking was “cost,” “no

longer owns,” and “use elsewhere.” Hispanic households cited “elsewhere,” “no longer owns,” and

“cost.” 

Focusing on the level of educational attainment, the elementary education, some high school

education, and some college education groups all identified the same two top reasons: “no longer
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owns computer” and “cost.” The other two groups saw it differently. The high-school-degree group

ranked cost first and “no longer owns” second. The college-degree group picked out “use

elsewhere,” followed by “no longer owns.”

An examination of household types reveals some distinct differences. Married couples with children

ranked “cost” and “not enough time” at the top of their list of major reasons. This contrasts with

other household types, whose number one reason was “no longer owns computer”: male

householders with children, female householders with children, and non-family households. 

All age categories except 35-44 year olds (for whom cost ranked first) rated “no longer owns

computer” as the most important reason for disconnecting. The second-ranked reasons varied

greatly: “can use elsewhere” for under-25 and 25-34 year olds; “computer requires repair” for 45-54

year olds; and “don’t want it” for those householders at least 55 years old.

Thus, although variations exist for some specific demographic groups, August 2000 survey

respondents generally identified an absence of a computer, reliance on other locations, and cost as

the most important reasons for their households discontinuing their home Internet access. These

reasons contrast with the responses of never-connected households, who cited “don’t want it” as the

most compelling reason for their non-access.
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Table I-1

 Percent of Households with a Computer

December 1998 August 2000 Point change Expansion rate

All 42.1 51.0 8.9 21.1

White Non-Hispanic 46.6 55.7 9.1 19.5

Black Non-Hispanic 23.2 32.6 9.4 40.5

Asian Amer. & Pac. Isl. 55.0 65.6 10.6 19.3

Hispanic 25.5 33.7 8.2 32.2

Less than $15,000 14.5 19.2 4.7 32.4

$15,000 - 24,999 23.7 30.1 6.4 27.0

$25,000 - 34.999 35.8 44.6 8.8 24.6

$35,000 - 49,999 50.2 58.6 8.4 16.7

$50,000 - 74,999 66.3 73.2 6.9 10.4

$75,000 and above 79.9 86.3 6.4 8.0

Less than High School 12.5 18.2 5.7 45.6

High School Graduate 31.2 39.6 8.4 26.9

Some College 49.3 60.3 11.0 22.3

College Graduate 66.9 74.0 7.1 10.6

Post Graduate 72.2 79.0 6.8 9.4

Rural 39.9 50.4 10.5 26.3

Urban 42.9 51.5 8.6 20.0

Central City 38.5 53.7 15.2 39.5

Bold indicates above the national average 8.9 point change and 21.1 % expansion rate.
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Table I-2

 Percent of Households with Internet Access

December 1998 August 2000 Point change Expansion rate

All 26.2 41.5 15.3 58.4

White Non-Hispanic 29.8 46.1 16.3 54.7

Black Non-Hispanic 11.2 23.5 12.3 109.8

Asian Amer. & Pac. Isl. 36.0 56.8 20.8 57.8

Hispanic 12.6 23.6 11.0 87.3

Less than $15,000 7.1 12.7 5.6 78.9

$15,000 - 24,999 11.0 21.3 10.3 93.6

$25,000 - 34.999 19.1 34.0 14.9 78.0

$35,000 - 49,999 29.5 46.1 16.6 56.3

$50,000 - 74,999 43.9 60.9 17.0 38.7

$75,000 and above 60.3 77.7 17.4 28.9

Less than High School 5.0 11.7 6.7 134.0

High School Graduate 16.3 29.9 13.6 83.4

Some College 30.2 49.0 18.8 62.3

College Graduate 46.8 64.0 17.2 36.8

Post Graduate 53.0 69.9 16.9 31.9

Rural 22.2 38.9 16.7 75.2

Urban 27.5 42.3 14.8 53.8

Central City 24.5 37.7 13.2 53.9

Bold indicates above the average 15.3 point change and 58.4 % expansion rate.
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PART II

USE OF THE INTERNET BY INDIVIDUALS

As of August 2000, 116.5 million Americans were online—31.9 million more than only 20 months earlier.

Internet users accounted for 44.4% of the U.S. population (age 3 and older), up from 32.7% in December

1998. This pattern of increasing Internet use held true at all income and education levels, for all age groups,

for both men and women, for the employed and the unemployed and across all race and ethnic groups. 

Groups that have historically been digital “have nots”—individuals who come from low-income

households, individuals with low levels of education, minority groups (particularly Blacks and

Hispanics), and older people are participating in this dramatic increase in Internet usage, but their

use rates remain below the national average.

Whereas Part I examined household access, this section examines individual use. The person-based

data and household-based data yield related, but not identical, rates of Internet use for factors that

are common to the two data sets, such as income and race. Why these differences occur is explained

in Box II-1 on page 35. Person-based data offer an understanding of ways in which individuals use

the Internet. They offer the ability to examine demographic characteristics, such as age and gender,

that are unique to individuals with no logical correspondence at the household level. These data

offer insight into where individuals use the Internet—at home, outside the home, or in multiple

places. And, where individuals are using the Internet from a location away from their home, these

data provide insight into where they are getting that access. Finally, these data offer some

information about the activities that individuals are undertaking while they are online.

Key insights offered by these data include:

• Individuals age 50 and older are among the least likely to be Internet users with Internet use

rate of 29.6% in 2000. This age group, however, saw faster growth in Internet use than the

country as a whole, with Internet use growing at a rate of 53% compared to 36% for the

country as a whole. Age, however, is only part of the story. In August 2000, individuals age

50 and older were almost three times as likely to be Internet users if they were in the labor

force. 

• In August 2000, Internet use rates in the aggregate were virtually identical for men (44.6%)

and women (44.2%). In December 1998, there was a gender gap in this measure—34.2%

for men versus 31.4% for women.

• For some groups with Internet use rates below the national average, use at locations outside

the home appears to be a factor in the growth of Internet use rates. Nationwide, a greater

share of people used the Internet from their homes in August 2000 than in December 1998.

However, Black Internet users were more likely than other Internet users to rely exclusively

on Internet access from outside their homes. 
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• Most people who used the Internet from outside their homes reported using it at work or at

school. Unemployed individuals were more likely to use it from another person’s computer,

or libraries. 

• E-mail is still the Internet’s most widespread application—79.9% of Internet users used email. Among other online activities, shopping and bill paying saw the fastest growth. Low

income unemployed people were the most likely to report using the Internet to look for jobs.

Person-based information is likely to become an even more important complement to the householdbased measures in the future. We are already seeing the emergence of a world where Internet access

is mobile. It travels with the individual rather than being a function of a physical place. For years,

laptop computers have offered processing power and Internet access to individuals wherever they

happened to be—at home, in the office, in hotels across the globe. Mobile devices, such as personal

digital assistants and mobile phones, now offer Internet access anywhere via wireless connections.
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Box II-1

The Relationship Between the Household- and Person-Based Measures

Household surveys provide information on both entire households and the individual persons within those

households. The person data provide information on the number of people who have access to the

Internet at home, how many are using that access, the extent of access at other locations, and the types

of activities they are pursuing on the Internet.

As discussed in Part I, the number of households connected to the Internet rose from 26.2% in December

1998 to 41.5% in August 2000. But the proportion of Americans living in homes with Internet access

is 13% larger than the proportion of households connected because households with Internet connections

have 13% more people per household than the national average (line 4, Table II-9). As shown in the

second pair of bars in Figure II-1, the share of Americans in homes online has surged from 30.0% in

December 1998 to 46.7% in August, a gain of 0.84 a month. At that rate, a majority of Americans will

have Internet access at home by the end of the year.

26.2 30.0

22.3

32.7

41.5

46.7

35.7

44.4

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Households Persons with Home

Access

Persons Using Home

Access

Persons Using

Anywhere

Percent

1998 2000

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey supplements.

Figure II-1

Different Perspectives on Internet Access and Use

Seventy-six percent of people living in homes with Internet access were actually using the Internet from

home (line 6, Table II-8). Thus, the August survey found that 35.7% of Americans were actually using

the Internet at home, up from 22.3% in December 1998. 

Another 8.6% of Americans in August were using the Internet but not from home. When they are added

to those who use the Internet from home, the total share of the population using the Internet from any

location stood at 44.4% in August, up from 32.7% twenty months earlier. If growth continues at this

rate—almost 0.6% more Americans online per month—more than half of all Americans will be using the

Internet by mid-2001.
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INTERNET USE AMONG INDIVIDUALS

Almost 32 million people became Internet users during the 20 months between December 1998 and

August 2000. As Figure II-2 shows, Internet use increased across the age distribution. More people

at all ages were using the Internet. This figure, however, also illustrates that although Internet use

increased across the board, Internet use rates are not equal across all age groups. A person’s age as

well as factors such as household income, race/ethnicity, gender, educational attainment, and labor

force participation matter in the Internet use equation. This section explores these factors.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48 51 54 57 60 63 66 69 72 75 78

Age

Internet Use Rate (%)

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population 

December 1998

August 2000

Figure II-2

Broad Increases in Internet Use Since 1998

INCOME

While individuals in all income groups were more likely to be Internet users in 2000 than in 1998,

Internet use rates were higher in higher income brackets. (Figure II-3.) Only 18.9% of individuals

who lived in households with annual incomes of less than $15,000 were Internet users in August

2000. In contrast, 70.1% of people who lived in households where the annual income was greater

than $75,000 reported using the Internet. Middle income groups saw the largest point gains while

the lowest income groups had the fastest expansion rates, albeit from low starting levels. (See Table

II-1)
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13.7

18.4

25.3

34.7

45.5

58.9

18.9

25.5

35.7

46.5

57.7

70.1

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Under $15 $15 to 24.9 $25 to 34.9 $35 to 49.9 $50 to 74.9 $75 +

Household Income

Internet Use Rate (%)

Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population 

Figure II-3

Internet Use by Income ($000)

RACE AND ETHNICITY

Although Internet use is growing across the board, groups of different racial and ethnic backgrounds

still use the Internet to differing degrees. (Figure II-4.) In August 2000, Whites (50.3%) continued

to be the most likely to use the Internet, followed by Asian American/Pacific Islanders (49.4%),

Blacks (29.3%), and Hispanics (23.7%). 

During the 20-month period between the two surveys, Whites gained 12.7 percentage points and

Asian American/Pacific Islanders gained 13.6 percentage points in the share of their populations

using the Internet. Over the same period, Blacks gained 10.3 percentage points, and Hispanics

gained 7.1 percentage points. Blacks were 13.7 percentage points behind the national average in

December 1998 and in August 2000 they were 15.1 percentage points behind the national average.

Similarly, in December 1998, Hispanics were 16.1 percentage points behind the national average and

in August 2000 they were 20.7 percentage points behind.
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32.7

37.6

19.0

35.8

16.6

44.4

50.3

29.3

49.4

23.7

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Total White Black Asian

American/Pacific

Islander

Hispanic

Internet Use Rate (%)

Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population 

Figure II-4

Internet Use by Race/Ethnicity

Reviewing the data by race and Hispanic origin brings out the lack of close correspondence between

the household-based measure of access to the Internet and the person-based measures of use. For

example, although 56.8 percent of Asian American/Pacific Islander households had Internet access,

only 49.4 percent of persons in that group were using the Internet. In contrast, the rates of personal

use were higher for Whites and Blacks than their household connection rates. Among Whites, 46.1

percent of their households had online connections but 50.3% of White persons were Internet users

at some location. The gap was even larger for Blacks: only 23.5% of their homes were online, but

29.3% of Black persons were Internet users. Only for Hispanics were the two percentages essentially

the same at 23.6% and 23.7%, respectively.

23.6 23.5

46.1

56.8

23.7

29.3

50.3 49.4

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Hispanic Blacks White Asian American/Pacific

Islander

Percent

Share of Households with Internet Access Share of Persons Using Internet Anywhere

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey 

Figure II-5

Household Access Rates by Race/Ethnicity Do Not Closely Track

Internet Use by Persons
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Why do Whites have personal Internet usage rates at least as high as the rates for persons of Asian

and Pacific Islander background despite having rates of household connections 11 points lower?

Why do Blacks have household rates of Internet access comparable to Hispanics but much higher

personal use rates? As delineated in Table II-9, three factors come into play: the relative family size

of households with Internet access, the share of persons with home access who actually use the

Internet at home, and the share of persons who use the Internet only outside the home. The

difference in household size for online households is larger for Whites and Blacks. Whites also have

the highest share of people who live in homes with Internet access who actually make use of that

access, while Hispanics have the lowest share. Finally, Blacks have the highest share of people who

access the Internet only outside the home (10.4%), followed by Whites at 8.6%. Only 7.5% of

Hispanics and Asian American and Pacific Islanders use the Internet exclusively outside the home.

(See Figure II-14.)

GENDER

Over the 20 months prior to August 2000, women raised their Internet use rates fast enough to close

the gap with men. In December 1998, 34.2% of men and 31.4% of women were using the Internet.

By August 2000, 44.6% of men and a statistically indistinguishable 44.2% of women were Internet

users.

Underlying the closing aggregate gender gap are some gender differences by age. (Figure II-6.) For

both surveys, in the early years of life, boys and girls are equally likely to be Internet users. The

small gap in favor of females of college age widened by 2000. During the years of prime labor force

participation, while men were more likely than women to be Internet users in 1998, twenty months

later the situation had reversed—in August 2000 women were more likely than men to be Internet

users. For older adults in both surveys, men were more likely than women to be online. 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

3 5 7 9 11 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59 61 63 65 67 69 71 73 75 77 79

Age

Internet Use Rate (%)

Male 1998 Female 1998 Male 2000 Female 2000

Women in 2000

Men in 2000

Men In 1998

Women in 1998

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey supplements.

Figure II-6

Internet Use by Gender and Age
Page 40 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

12 Educational attainment refers to the highest level of education completed. Data shown exclude individuals age 3 to

24 because a large portion of individuals in these groups are still in school.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

In August 2000, males and females had very similar Internet use rates in all but one race/ethnic

group—Asian American/Pacific Islanders. Among Asian American/Pacific Islanders, males had

higher Internet use rates than females. (Figure II-7)

44.6

50.7 52.7

27.9

22.7

44.2

49.9 46.1

30.5

24.7

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Total White Asian

American/Pacific

Islander

Black Hispanic

Internet Use Rate (%)

Male Female

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey 

Figure II-7

Internet Use by Gender and Race/Ethnicity

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

In both 1998 and 2000, Internet use rose with higher levels of education.12 (Figure II-8.) Adults with

no more than an elementary level of education have Internet use rates of less than 4%. People whose

highest level of education is a bachelors degree or higher had the highest Internet use (74.5%). The

percentage point gain of this group (13 points between 1998 and 2000) was less than that of adults

with only some college education (16 percentage points).
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 41

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

1.6

6.2

19.2

38.6

61.1

3.7

12.7

30.6

54.2

74.5

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Elementary Not a High School

Graduate

High School

Graduate

Some College Bachelor's Degree

or More

Internet Use Rate (%)

Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey supplements.

Figure II-8

 Internet Use Rates by Educational Attainment

(Age 25 and Older)

AGE

For the purpose of this analysis, age categories were grouped to roughly correspond to important

periods in peoples lives—Children (age 3-8), Youth (age 9-17), College/Early Work Force (age

18-24), Work Force (age 25-49), and Late Work Force/Retirement (age 50+). There has been strong

growth in the personal use rates in all age categories except young children (age 3-8). (Figure II-9.)

People over the age of 50 had the next lowest rate of Internet use in 2000 (29.6%) with a 10.3

percentage point increase over 1998. The remaining three age categories had Internet use rates that

are higher than the national average of 44.4%.

11.0

43.0 44.3 40.9

19.3 15.3

53.4 56.8 55.4

29.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

3 to 8 9 to 17 18 to 24 25 to 49 50 +

Internet Use Rate (%)

Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey supplements.

Figure II-9

Internet Use by Age Group
Page 42 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Age 3 to 8 Years

Young children, not surprisingly, had the lowest Internet use rate in 2000 (15.3%) and the smallest

increase in use since 1998 (4.3 percentage points). In 2000, 15.7% of girls and 14.9 percent of boys

in this age groups were Internet users. (Table II-2.)

The race/ethnicity patterns track the national use rate patterns—Whites (18.5%), Asian

American/Pacific Islanders (14.4%), Blacks (10.2%), and Hispanics (8.7%). 

Internet use rates increase with household income. Young children from households with income

less than $15,000 had an Internet use rate of 5.4% in 2000—9.9 percentage points behind the

national average for this group. At the other extreme, households with incomes greater than $75,000

had an Internet use rate of 21.8%. (Table II-2.) 

Age 9 to 17 Years

Internet use rates picked up among youths (age 9-17) with the national average for this age group

increasing from 43.0% in December 1998 to 53.4% in August 2000 (a 24% growth in the use rate).

Thus, the average use rate for this group was above the national average in both December 1998 and

August 2000. (Table II-3.)

There was little difference in Internet use between boys (52.9%) and girls (53.9%) in 2000.

Again, race/ethnicity patterns were similar to the national average, with Whites (63.1%) and Asian

American/Pacific Islanders (58.6%) showing higher use rates than Blacks (34.2%) and Hispanics

(31.4%). Blacks, however, saw relatively rapid growth in their rate of Internet use (63%) from

December 1998 to August 2000 compared with Asian American/Pacific Islanders (45%), Hispanics

(33%), and Whites (20%).

Individuals who lived in households where income was less than $15,000 (28.8%) and those who

lived in households where income was between $15,000 and $24,999 (36.3%) had Internet use rates

below the national average. Individuals who lived in households where income was $35,000 or more

had Internet use rates greater than the national average for this age group.

Age 18 to 24 Years

Individuals age 18 to 24 also saw Internet use rates for both December 1998 (44.3%) and August

2000 (56.8%) that were above the national averages. (Table II-4.)

In this age group, women (59.6%) had higher Internet use rates than men (54.1%) in 2000. 

In August 2000, the Internet use rates for Black (41.5%) and Hispanics (32.4%) in this age group

were considerably higher than use rates for these race/ethnicity groups in the population at large.

However, these groups still lag behind Whites (65.0%) and Asian American/Pacific Islanders

(72.9%). Of these two groups, Blacks appear to be gaining ground relatively rapidly with a growth
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 43

13 The labor force includes both the employed and the unemployed (i.e., not employed , but looking for work). Since

most of the unemployed move in and out of the employment, they are generally more likely to be employed than those

not in the labor force.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

in the use rate of 55% over the 20 month period. This compares to 30% growth for Asian

American/Pacific Islanders, 28% for Hispanics, and 25% for Whites.

In this age group, individuals at all household income levels had Internet use rates close to or above

the Internet use rate for the population as a whole— Less than $15,000 (41.9%), $15,000 to $24,999

(43.5%), $25,000 to $34,999 (52.4%), $35,000 to $49,999 (59.9%), $50,000 to $74,999 (67.4%),

and $75,000 and above (78.2). This flattening of the income gradient suggests that income is less

important than other factors in Internet use among 18 to 24 year olds. (Figure II-10.)

33.5 34.8 38.7

47.9

55.3

65.5

41.9 43.5

52.4

59.3

67.4

78.2

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Less than

$15,000

$15,000 -

$24,999

$25,000 -

$34,999

$35,000 -

$49,000

$50,000 -

$74,999

$75,000 and

above

Internet Use Rate (%)

Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey supplements.

Figure II-10

Internet Use by Income Age 18-24

Age 25-49 Years 

Labor force participation appears to be an important component in Internet uptake for this group and

even more so for individuals age 50 and older. These two age brackets were separated into two

groups, those in the labor force and those outside the labor force.13 (Figure II-11.) (Tables II-5 and

II-6.)
Page 44 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

43.7

25.4

58.4

39.3

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

25 to 49 LF 25 to 49 NLF

Internet Use Rate (%)

Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey supplements.

Figure II-11

Internet Use Age 25-49 and Labor Force Status

The Internet use rate for all 25 to 49 year olds was 55.4%, up from 40.9% in December 1998. Those

in the labor force were more likely to be Internet users. Their Internet use rate was 58.4% compared

to 39.3% for those not in the labor force in August 2000.

Women were more likely than men to be Internet users regardless of labor force status, but the gap

between the genders was larger for those not in the labor force. In 2000, 60.8% of women and

56.2% of men were Internet users among 25-49 year olds who were in the labor force. Among those

not in the labor force in this age bracket, however, the use rate for women was 42.6% and the use

rate for men was 28.6%. 

Blacks and Hispanics were below the national average in Internet use regardless of labor force status,

but Blacks and Hispanics who were not in the labor force were even further below the national

average. For Blacks in the labor force, the use rates was 40.3%, but for those not in the labor force

it was 18.9% in August 2000. Hispanics age 25 to 49 who were in the labor force had an Internet

use rate of 29.8%, while those not in the labor force had a use rate of 16.5%. Among those not in

the labor force, Blacks had 100% growth in their use rate over 1998 and Hispanics saw an 85%

increase in their use rate. This is consistent with aggregate patterns of faster growth in the groups

that are the below the national average and growing from a smaller base. 

Age 50 and Over

For those age 50 and older the importance of labor force participation is even more striking than it

was for those age 25 to 49. Among those age 50 and older, Figure II-12 reveals an almost three-fold

ratio between the Internet use of those in the labor force (46.4%) and those not in the labor force

(16.6%). (Tables II-7 & II-8.)
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 45

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

33.5

8.5

46.4

16.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

50 + LF 50 + NLF

Internet Use Rate (%)

Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey supplements.

Figure II-12

Internet Use Age 50 + and Labor Force Status

Individuals who are over 50 years old are among the least likely to be Internet users—the Internet

use rate in this group was only 29.6% in 2000. In August 2000, however, the rate for individuals age

50 and older who were still in the labor force (46.4%) was much closer to the 58.4% for 25 to 49

year olds who were in the labor force. This suggests that the lower Internet use for ages beyond 50

shown in Figure II-2 is associated with labor force attachment, as well as with age.

Labor force participation also affect the gender differences evident for individuals age 50 and older.

In August 2000, men (46.0%) and women (46.8%) who were still in the labor force were equally

likely to be Internet users. However, men (18.1%) had higher Internet use rates than women (15.6%)

for those not in the labor force. This gender difference may result from higher previous labor force

participation by men relative to women in this age group and from the larger number of women

relative to men who are over 70 years old.

LOCATION OF INTERNET ACCESS

Although this survey did not collect data on the intensity or the quality of Internet use, where an

individual uses the Internet, at home, away from home, or both, probably reflects some degree of

quality of his or her Internet access. An individual who uses the Internet at his or her home typically

has the opportunity to use the technology more frequently and for longer periods of time than if he

or she uses it only at a school, library, or community center.

In August 2000, 25.0% of the population used the Internet only from home, an increase from 15.8%

in December 1998. The share of the population using the Internet from both home and outside the

home also increased—from 6.5% to 10.7%. In contrast, use from only outside the home declined

from 10.5% to 8.7%. (Figure II-13.)
Page 46 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

15.8

25.0

6.5

10.7

10.5

8.7

67.3

55.6

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Dec. 1998

Aug. 2000

Only at Home Both Only Outside the Home No Use

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey supplements.

Figure II-13

Internet Access by Location

The aggregate pattern of primary and increasing Internet use from the home is not, however,

consistent across demographic groups. (Figure II-14.) Although 8.7% of Internet users nationwide

used the Internet only from outside their homes, 10.4% of Blacks used the Internet only from

locations outside their home.

13.7

12.1

29.1

26.6

5.2

4.0

12.6

15.3

10.4

7.6

8.6

7.5

70.7

76.3

49.7

50.6

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Black

Hispanic

White

Asian American/Pacific

Islander

Only at Home Both Only Outside No Use 

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey supplements.

Figure II-14

Internet Use by Location and Race/Ethnicity

LOCATIONS OF INTERNET ACCESS OUTSIDE THE HOME

People who use the Internet from outside the home use it from a variety of locations. The most

common non-home Internet use site is an individual’s place of work—12.3% of the population (and
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 47

14 Reported Internet use from “school (K-12) and “other school” was lower in August 2000 than in December 1998. The

authors believe this is a function of seasonal factors—i.e., students who were not in school in August when the 2000

survey was conducted appear to be influencing the frequency with which “schools (K-12 )” and “other schools” were

reported as locations for Internet use. Only August 2000 data are shown. Evidence of this seasonality problem can be

seen from the fact that the number of people age 18 to 24 who reported being in school dropped from 14 million in

December 1998 to 12 million in August 2000. The next U.S. Bureau of the Census Survey on computer and Internet

use is scheduled for September 2001 when data on school use should be less problematic.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

23.9% of the people who held jobs) used the Internet at work in August 2000.14 At school (K-12)

(3.7%) was the second most commonly reported site of Internet use in August 2000 despite there

being fewer children in school that month. “Someone else’s computer” (2.7 %) was another possible

place of access as were public libraries (1.9%) and “other school” (1.6%). 

Similarly, work was the most frequently reported site of outside the home Internet use for each of

the race/ethnic groups. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (15.4%) and Whites (14.1%) reported

having access to the Internet at work more often than Blacks (8.1%) and Hispanics (5.6%). On the

other hand, Blacks (2.9%) and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (2.3%) were more likely to

be using the Internet at public libraries than Whites (1.7%), and Hispanics (1.7%).

Men (13.2%) were more likely than women (11.6%) to report using the Internet at work.

The likelihood of reporting work as a place to use the Internet increases with household income. In

August 2000, 2.1% of individuals whose household incomes were less than $15,000 reported using

the Internet at work—this was 10.2 percentage points behind the national average of 12.3%. As

household incomes rose, so did Internet use at work—4.0% for individuals with household incomes

between $15,000 and $24,999, 7.8% for individuals with household incomes of $25,000 to $34,999,

and 11.1% for those with household incomes from $35,000 to $49,999. Individuals with household

incomes between $50,000 to $74,999 (16.5%) and those with household incomes greater than

$75,000 (29.6%) reported work use at rates higher than the national average. 

Public libraries appear to be a more important place of Internet use for the unemployed than for those

who had jobs. In August 2000, 4.2% of unemployed individuals reported using the Internet from

the public library compared to 1.8% of employed individuals and 1.7% of those who were not in the

labor force.

 ONLINE ACTIVITIES 

The most frequent online activity among Internet users in August 2000 was e-mail. (Figure II-15)

About 80% of people with Internet access reported regularly using e-mail. More than half of the

people online also used the Internet regularly to search for information. Making phone calls was the

least common online activity; less than 6% of Internet users reported regularly using the Internet to

make calls.
Page 48 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

15 Internet use rates shown in this section represent a ratio of those individuals engaging in the respective online activities

as a share of Internet users who use the Internet at home. In August 2000, 93.8 million people or 35.7% of the

population used the Internet at home.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

70.0

60.0

40.7

39.7

35.8

19.7

13.6

10.3

6.0

79.9

58.8

43.2

35.4

35.3

30.0

16.1

9.1

5.7

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

E-mail

Search for Information

Check news

Take Course

Do Job Related Tasks

Shop and Pay Bills

Search for Jobs

Other

Make Phone Calls

Percent of Internet Users

1998 2,000

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey supplements.

Figure II-15

Online Activities

Online shopping and bill paying were not the most common of online activities—only 30% of

Internet users reported regularly shopping or paying bills online in 2000. Nonetheless, this activity

saw the greatest increase (52%) between December 1998 and August 2000.

ONLINE ACTIVITIES OF HOME INTERNET USERS

E-mail continues to be the most common use of the Internet among people who use the Internet at

home.15 In August 2000, 84.8% of people using the Internet at home used it for e-mail, up from the

77.9% in December 1998. In August 2000, one-third of Internet users shopped and paid bills online

(33.6%), up from the almost one-quarter of the Internet population in 1998 (24.5%). Most other uses

are relatively unchanged from December 1998. The percentage of those who go online to check

news, weather, or sports, is about the same, at 46%, while those using the Internet to search for

information hovered around 59%, and those using the Internet for job-related tasks remained about

28%.

As the near-universal application, e-mail use showed little variation across income and education

categories. Use of the Internet for e-mail by home Internet users in the lowest income households

were within a percentage point or two of those using the Internet in the highest income

households—all were above 82%. 

Looking at e-mail use from the perspective of education level, 90.1% of those with bachelor’s

degrees or higher used the Internet for e-mail, but 80.1% of those with an elementary-school
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 49

16 Internet use rates shown in this section are represent a ratio of those individuals engaging in the respective online

activities as a share of Internet users who used the Internet outside the home. In August 2000, 50.9 million people or 19.4

percent of the population used the Internet outside their homes.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

education did, as well. In August 2000, 84.2% of those with some high school, but not a degree,

used e-mail.

The August 2000 data showed that more women (86.8%) used the Internet for e-mail than men

(82.8%). More women (96.6%) used the Internet for communicating with friends and family than

men (93.6%). More men (34.2%) than women (24.7%) used e-mail for job-related activities, and

more men (34.4%) than women (28.8%) used e-mail for hobbies and other special interests.

Racial differences played a small role in how e-mail is used. More Blacks used e-mail at home for

job-related activities than Whites (32.5% vs. 29%), and this is also the case for usage for educational

purposes: 38.1% for Blacks vs. 25.9% for Whites.

Men and women were slightly different in their use for online shopping and bill paying: men (32.7%)

and women (34.5%). Men used the Internet more for job-related tasks. In August 2000, 30.2% of

men used it for that purpose in contrast to 24.4% of women. Men used the Internet more to check

news (54.3%) than did women (38.0%), but women went online more often to take courses or do

research for school, 34.6% contrasted with 30.8% for men. Men and women used the Internet

equally in their searches for information, each about 58%.

Online shopping and bill paying has caught on particularly with 25 to 34 years olds. Nearly half of

the people in this age group (47.7%) used the Internet for these activities. Thirty-five to forty-four

year olds followed closely with a use rate of 42.9%. 

Whites used the Internet for shopping and bill paying more than Blacks, 34.4% and 27.5%

respectively. In addition, 16.4% of at home Internet users in 2000 went online to look for jobs, up

from 14.5% in 1998. 

ONLINE ACTIVITIES OF OUTSIDE THE HOME INTERNET USERS

The pattern of online activities by people who used the Internet outside the home differed from that

of home users.16 With the exception of job related activities, a smaller share of people who used the

Internet outside the home reported engaging in each of the measured activities. Among Internet

users outside the home, 50.2% were online for job-related tasks, an increase from 44.6% in 1998.

In 2000, 32.2% of people using the Internet from outside the home did so to take courses—down

from 38.8% in December 1998. In 2000, 45.0% of people using the Internet did so to search for

information; in 1998, the figure was 50.1%. People using the Internet outside the home to check

news, sports, and weather also dropped slightly. On the other hand, e-mail use was up to 59.1% in

2000 from 53.6% in 1998. Online shopping and bill paying was 10.4% in 2000 up from 7.5% in

1998.
Page 50 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Outside the home, Whites were more likely to go online for e-mail than Blacks, 61% vs. 51%.

Blacks were more likely to use the Internet outside the home than Whites to take a course (41% v.

29.7%), and were more likely to use the Internet to search for jobs (14.7% v. 7.2%).

In August 2000, an estimated 4.3 million people used the Internet outside the home to search for

jobs. This represented 8.4% of the 50.9 million people who used the Internet away from home. 

Those with lower incomes were much more likely to search for jobs using the Internet. Among

those with household incomes below $25,000 using the Internet away from home, more than

12% were searching for jobs, almost twice the 6.5% rate of those with incomes above $75,000.

(Figure II-16.)

12.6 12.1

10.4

9.2

8.0

6.5

0

3

6

9

12

15

18

21

24

27

30

$0-14,999 $15-24,999 $25-34,999 $35-49,999 $50-74,999 $75,000+

Household Income

Percent

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey supplements.

Figure II-16

The Percent of Internet Users Searching for Jobs on the Internet

Declines as Income Increases
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 51

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Table II-1

Internet Use Individuals Age 3 and Older

Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000 Internet Use

Percentage

Point

Difference 

Growth in

Use Rate Internet

Users

Total Internet

Users

Total Dec.

1998

Aug.

2000

Total Population 84,587 258,453 116,480 262,620 32.7 44.4 11.6 36

Male 43,033 125,932 56,962 127,844 34.2 44.6 10.4 30

Female 41,555 132,521 59,518 134,776 31.4 44.2 12.8 41

White Non-Hisp. 69,470 184,980 93,714 186,439 37.6 50.3 12.7 34

Black Non-Hisp 6,111 32,123 9,624 32,850 19.0 29.3 10.3 54

Asian/Pacific Islanders 3,467 9,688 5,095 10,324 35.8 49.4 13.6 38

Hispanic 4,887 29,452 7,325 30,918 16.6 23.7 7.1 43

Employed* 56,790 133,516 77,507 136,756 42.5 56.7 14.2 33

Not Employed* 1,647 5,726 2,698 5,961 28.8 45.3 16.5 58

Not in the Labor Force 14,411 70,924 20,661 71,232 20.3 29.0 8.7 43

Less than $15,000 5,170 37,864 6,057 32,096 13.7 18.9 5.2 38

$15,000 - $24,999 5,623 30,581 7,063 27,727 18.4 25.5 7.1 38

$25,000 - $34,999 8,050 31,836 11,054 31,001 25.3 35.7 10.4 41

$35,000 - $49,999 13,528 39,026 16,690 35,867 34.7 46.5 11.9 34

$50,000 - $74,999 19,902 43,776 25,059 43,451 45.5 57.7 12.2 27

$75,000 and above 24,861 42,221 36,564 52,189 58.9 70.1 11.2 19

Elementary † 206 12,529 452 12,253 1.6 3.7 2.1 131

Not a High School Graduate † 1,022 16,510 2,030 16,002 6.2 12.7 6.5 105

High School Graduate † 10,961 57,103 17,425 56,889 19.2 30.6 11.4 59

Some College † 16,603 43,038 24,201 44,628 38.6 54.2 15.6 40

Bachelors Degree or Higher † 26,571 43,509 34,083 45,755 61.1 74.5 13.4 22

3 to 8 2,680 24,282 3,671 23,962 11.0 15.3 4.3 39

9 to 17 15,396 35,821 19,579 36,673 43.0 53.4 10.4 24

18 to 24 11,356 25,662 15,039 26,458 44.3 56.8 12.6 28
Page 52 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

Table II-1

Internet Use Individuals Age 3 and Older

Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000 Internet Use

Percentage

Point

Difference 

Growth in

Use Rate Internet

Users

Total Internet

Users

Total Dec.

1998

Aug.

2000

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

25 to 49 41694 101836 56433 101946 40.9 55.4 14.4 35

50 + 13669 70852 21758 73580 19.3 29.6 10.3 53

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, December 1998 and August 2000.

Notes: The sum of the components may not equal the total due to rounding. * Age 16 and older. † Age 25 and older.
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 53

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Table II-2

Internet Use Individuals Age 3-8 Years

Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000 Internet Use Percentage

Point

Difference

Growth In

Use Rate Internet

Users Total InternetUsers Total Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000

Total 2,680 24,282 3,671 23,962 11.0 15.3 4.3 39

Male 1,440 12,346 1,833 12,284 11.7 14.9 3.3 28

Female 1,240 11,936 1,838 11,677 10.4 15.7 5.4 52

White Non-Hisp. 2,058 15,089 2,739 14,837 13.6 18.5 4.8 35

Black Non-Hisp 271 3,881 374 3,654 7.0 10.2 3.3 47

Asian/Pacific Islanders 132 937 156 1,086 14.1 14.4 0.2 2

Hispanic 187 4,095 361 4,140 4.6 8.7 4.2 91

Less than $15,000 220 4,229 182 3,344 5.2 5.4 0.2 4

$15,000 - $24,999 223 3,126 275 2,800 7.1 9.8 2.7 38

$25,000 - $34,999 221 2,828 387 3,053 7.8 12.7 4.9 62

$35,000 - $49,999 456 3,781 581 3,409 12.1 17.1 5.0 41

$50,000 - $74,999 627 4,272 799 4,179 14.7 19.1 4.5 30

$75,000 and above 695 3,728 966 4,426 18.7 21.8 3.2 17

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, December 1998 and August 2000.

Notes: The sum of the components may not equal the total due to rounding. 
Page 54 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Table II-3

Internet Use Individuals Age 9-17

Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000 Internet Use Percentage

Point

Difference

Growth In

Internet Use Rate

Users Total InternetUsers Total Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000

Total 15,396 35,821 19,579 36,673 43.0 53.4 10.4 24

Male 7,886 18,355 9,925 18,771 43.0 52.9 9.9 23

Female 7,510 17,467 9,654 17,903 43.0 53.9 10.9 25

White Non-Hisp. 12,266 23,293 14,902 23,601 52.7 63.1 10.5 20

Black Non-Hisp 1,169 5,581 1,980 5,796 21.0 34.2 13.2 63

Asian/Pacific Islanders 612 1,516 837 1,428 40.4 58.6 18.3 45

Hispanic 1,185 5,006 1,706 5,427 23.7 31.4 7.8 33

Less than $15,000 1,121 5,062 1,244 4,326 22.2 28.8 6.6 30

$15,000 - $24,999 1,155 4,066 1,413 3,890 28.4 36.3 7.9 28

$25,000 - $34,999 1,514 4,408 1,889 4,132 34.3 45.7 11.4 33

$35,000 - $49,999 2,606 5,500 2,898 5,302 47.4 54.7 7.3 15

$50,000 - $74,999 3,553 6,686 4,082 6,370 53.1 64.1 10.9 21

$75,000 and above 4,215 6,176 5,827 7,801 68.2 74.7 6.4 9

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, December 1998 and August 2000.

Notes: The sum of the components may not equal the total due to rounding. 
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 55

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Table II-4

Internet Use Individuals Age 18-25

Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000 Internet Use Percentage

Point

Difference

Growth In

Internet Use Rate

Users Total InternetUsers Total Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000

Total 11,356 25,662 15,039 26,458 44.3 56.8 12.6 28

Male 5,584 12,929 7,138 13,195 43.2 54.1 10.9 25

Female 5,772 12,732 7,901 13,264 45.3 59.6 14.2 31

White Non-Hisp. 8,693 16,772 11,234 17,290 51.8 65.0 13.1 25

Black Non-Hisp 982 3,679 1,575 3,797 26.7 41.5 14.8 55

Asian/Pacific Islanders 582 1,035 820 1,124 56.3 72.9 16.6 30

Hispanic 1,005 3,972 1,316 4,062 25.3 32.4 7.1 28

Less than $15,000 1,672 4,991 1,786 4,261 33.5 41.9 8.4 25

$15,000 - $24,999 1,183 3,401 1,371 3,153 34.8 43.5 8.7 25

$25,000 - $34,999 1,270 3,283 1,757 3,356 38.7 52.4 13.7 35

$35,000 - $49,999 1,656 3,459 2,046 3,449 47.9 59.3 11.5 24

$50,000 - $74,999 2,117 3,829 2,481 3,684 55.3 67.4 12.1 22

$75,000 and above 2,432 3,711 3,842 4,915 65.5 78.2 12.6 19

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, December 1998 and August 2000.

Notes: The sum of the components may not equal the total due to rounding. 
Page 56 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Table II-5

Internet Use Individuals Age 25-49 In the Labor Force

Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000 Internet Use Percentage

Point

Difference

Growth In

Internet Use Rate

Users Total InternetUsers Total Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000

Total 37,808 86,509 50,107 85,850 43.7 58.4 14.7 34

Male 20,084 46,270 25,979 46,194 43.4 56.2 12.8 30

Female 17,725 40,239 24,129 39,656 44.0 60.8 16.8 38

White Non-Hisp. 31,133 62,563 40,342 61,269 49.8 65.8 16.1 32

Black Non-Hisp 2,922 10,455 4,221 10,471 27.9 40.3 12.4 44

Asian/Pacific Islanders 1,492 3,335 2,339 3,692 44.7 63.3 18.6 42

Hispanic 1,994 9,464 2,920 9,808 21.1 29.8 8.7 41

Employed 37,077 83,508 48,841 82,939 44.4 58.9 14.5 33

Not Employed 731 3,002 1,267 2,911 24.4 43.5 19.2 79

Not in the Labor Force n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Less than $15,000 1,248 7,307 1,458 5,778 17.1 25.2 8.1 48

$15,000 - $24,999 2,060 8,780 2,461 7,425 23.5 33.1 9.7 41

$25,000 - $34,999 3,632 10,805 4,666 10,096 33.6 46.2 12.6 38

$35,000 - $49,999 6,398 15,333 7,546 13,227 41.7 57.0 15.3 37

$50,000 - $74,999 10,051 18,365 12,140 17,765 54.7 68.3 13.6 25

$75,000 and above 11,298 16,381 16,401 20,201 69.0 81.2 12.2 18

Elementary 702 8,646 1,327 8,502 8.1 15.6 7.5 92

Not a High School Graduate 7,273 27,511 11,058 26,601 26.4 41.6 15.1 57

High School Graduate 11,621 24,663 15,804 24,730 47.1 63.9 16.8 36

Some College 12,187 17,946 14,854 18,097 67.9 82.1 14.2 21

Bachelor's Degree or More 6,026 7,744 7,064 7,920 77.8 89.2 11.4 15

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, December 1998 and August 2000.

Notes: The sum of the components may not equal the total due to rounding. 
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 57

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Table II-6

Internet Use Individuals Age 25-49 Not in the Labor Force

Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000 Internet Use Percentage

Point

Difference

Growth In

Internet Use Rate

Users Total InternetUsers Total Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000

Total 3,886 15,327 6,326 16,097 25.4 39.3 13.9 55

Male 805 3,784 1,099 3,840 21.3 28.6 7.3 35

Female 3,081 11,542 5,227 12,257 26.7 42.6 16.0 60

White Non-Hisp. 3,161 9,842 5,054 10,339 32.1 48.9 16.8 52

Black Non-Hisp 197 2,085 438 2,321 9.4 18.9 9.4 100

Asian/Pacific Islanders 292 882 394 859 33.1 45.9 12.8 39

Hispanic 205 2,308 398 2,416 8.9 16.5 7.6 85

Less than $15,000 450 3,774 619 3,397 11.9 18.2 6.3 53

$15,000 - $24,999 338 1,839 415 1,794 18.4 23.1 4.8 26

$25,000 - $34,999 381 1,674 599 1,814 22.8 33.0 10.3 45

$35,000 - $49,999 563 1,950 905 1,923 28.9 47.1 18.2 63

$50,000 - $74,999 742 1,779 1,187 1,978 41.7 60.0 18.3 44

$75,000 and above 1,043 1,959 1,771 2,482 53.3 71.4 18.1 34

Elementary 139 3,493 314 3,436 4.0 9.1 5.2 129

Not a High School Graduate 919 5,407 1,544 5,380 17.0 28.7 11.7 69

High School Graduate 1,327 3,542 2,134 4,053 37.5 52.7 15.2 41

Some College 1,158 2,294 1,698 2,385 50.5 71.2 20.7 41

Bachelor's Degree or More 343 591 636 843 58.1 75.5 17.4 30

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, December 1998 and August 2000.

Notes: The sum of the components may not equal the total due to rounding. 
Page 58 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Table II-7

Internet Use Individuals Age 50+ In the Labor Force

Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000 Internet Use

Percentage

Point

Difference

Growth In

Internet Use Rate

Users Total InternetUsers Total Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000

Total 10,268 30,618 14,891 32,103 33.5 46.4 12.9 38

Male 5,838 16,546 8,104 17,605 35.3 46.0 10.7 30

Female 4,430 14,072 6,788 14,498 31.5 46.8 15.3 49

White Non-Hisp. 9,134 24,762 13,189 25,810 36.9 51.1 14.2 39

Black Non-Hisp 517 2,684 779 2,797 19.3 27.9 8.6 44

Asian/Pacific Islanders 300 1,028 402 1,036 29.2 38.8 9.6 33

Hispanic 280 1,985 464 2,299 14.1 20.2 6.1 43

Employed 10,075 29,849 14,558 31,278 33.8 46.5 12.8 38

Not Employed 193 769 333 825 25.1 40.4 15.3 61

Less than $15,000 234 2,354 334 2,021 9.9 16.5 6.6 66

$15,000 - $24,999 353 2,809 529 2,555 12.6 20.7 8.1 65

$25,000 - $34,999 595 3,282 1,033 3,475 18.1 29.7 11.6 64

$35,000 - $49,999 1,345 4,690 1,662 4,300 28.7 38.6 10.0 35

$50,000 - $74,999 2,255 5,737 3,200 5,883 39.3 54.4 15.1 38

$75,000 and above 4,449 7,531 6,193 8,618 59.1 71.9 12.8 22

Elementary 213 3,932 419 4,003 5.4 10.5 5.1 93

Not a High School Graduate 1,930 10,059 2,897 9,886 19.2 29.3 10.1 53

High School Graduate 2,616 7,367 4,350 8,315 35.5 52.3 16.8 47

Some College 2,803 5,013 3,873 5,583 55.9 69.4 13.5 24

Bachelor's Degree or More 2,706 4,247 3,352 4,316 63.7 77.7 13.9 22

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, December 1998 and August 2000.

Notes: The sum of the components may not equal the total due to rounding. 
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 59

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Table II-8

Internet Use Individuals Age 50 + Not in the Labor Force

Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000 Internet Use Percentage

Point

Difference

Growth In

Use Rate Internet Total Internet Total Dec. 1998 Aug. 2000

Total 3,401 40,234 6,866 41,477 8.5 16.6 8.1 96

Male 1,518 15,702 2,885 15,956 9.7 18.1 8.4 87

Female 1,883 24,532 3,981 25,521 7.7 15.6 7.9 103

White Non-Hisp. 3,208 32,658 6,254 33,293 9.8 18.8 9.0 91

Black Non-Hisp 56 3,759 257 4,015 1.5 6.4 4.9 329

Asian/Pacific Islanders 70 955 148 1,099 7.3 13.5 6.1 84

Hispanic 41 2,622 159 2,765 1.6 5.8 4.2 267

Less than $15,000 226 10,147 434 8,968 2.2 4.8 2.6 118

$15,000 - $24,999 322 6,559 600 6,110 4.9 9.8 4.9 100

$25,000 - $34,999 462 5,556 724 5,075 8.3 14.3 5.9 71

$35,000 - $49,999 556 4,313 1,052 4,259 12.9 24.7 11.8 91

$50,000 - $74,999 610 3,109 1,169 3,591 19.6 32.6 12.9 66

$75,000 and above 779 2,736 1,563 3,745 28.5 41.7 13.3 47

Elementary 174 12,968 421 12,314 1.3 3.4 2.1 155

Not a High School Graduate 840 14,126 1,926 15,022 5.9 12.8 6.9 116

High School Graduate 1,038 7,466 1,913 7,530 13.9 25.4 11.5 83

Some College 789 3,737 1,554 4,264 21.1 36.4 15.3 73

Bachelor's Degree or More 560 1,937 1,052 2,347 28.9 44.8 15.9 55

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, December 1998 and August 2000.

Notes: The sum of the components may not equal the total due to rounding. 
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National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Table II-9

 Reconciliation of Household Access and Person Internet Use Rates for 2000

White Black

Asian American

& Pac.Islander Hispanic Total

1 Percent of households w/

Internet

46.1 23.5 56.8 23.6 41.5

Average household size:

2 Households w/ Internet 2.74 2.92 3.16 3.42 2.81

3 All households 2.37 2.55 3.07 3.23 2.49

4 Ratio (Row 2 / Row 3) 1.16 1.15 1.03 1.06 1.13

5 Access rate for persons who

live in a household w/ Internet

access (Row 1 x Row 4)

53.3 26.9 58.6 25.0 46.7

6 Percent of persons living in a

household w/ Internet who use

it

78.2 70.4 71.4 64.4 76.4

7 Use rate for persons who have

Internet at home (Row 5 x Row

6)

41.7 18.9 41.8 16.1 35.7

8 Percent of persons who use

Internet only outside the home

8.6 10.4 7.5 7.6 8.6

9 Access rate for persons who

use Internet from any location

(Row 7 + Row 8)

50.3 29.3 49.3 23.7 44.4

Note: Group quarters for households and persons are excluded. Numbers may not

add exactly because of rounding.
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 61

17 As with the discussion in Part I and II, the present analysis simply presents cross-tabulations of survey data. No

attempt has been made here to discern causality or even disentangle the complex interactions that exist, for example,

between disability status, income, and employment.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Part III

INTERNET ACCESS AND COMPUTER USE 

AMONG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

One important group whose levels of Internet access and computer use have not been discussed

previously in this report are those individuals who have a physical or mental disability. The periodic

supplements to the Current Population Survey, on which the analysis in the preceding sections are

based, offer only a very limited basis from which to consider this issue. Fortunately, a new research

data file derived from a different survey, the Survey on Income and Program Participation (SIPP),

conducted in late 1999 provides, for the first time, a detailed look at this subject (see Box III-1).

As the data presented below show, Internet access and computer use vary by disability status. People

who have a disability were only half as likely to live in homes with Internet access than those without

any disability. And while just under 25% of people without a disability have never used a personal

computer, the situation is quite different for those who have a disability. Close to 60% of people who

have at least one type of disability have never used a computer.

There are, however, differences in rates of access and use for specific disabilities. For example,

people with learning disabilities have Internet access either from home or somewhere else at rates

of over 40%, while people who are blind or vision impaired have Internet access rates closer to 20%.

The data also show that some of the variation apparent in the aggregate is the result of some fairly

large differences in the economic and demographic distribution of the various populations with and

without disabilities. When these factors are taken into account, some of the differences between

those who have a disability and those who do not narrow considerably. For example, employed

people with and without disabilities are substantially more similar to each other in rates of Internet

access and computer use than those in the same age group and disability status who are not

employed.

Even after attempting to account for some of these factors, however, differences remain in the rates

of Internet access and computer use between people who have a disability and those who do not.17

Technology offers enormous potential to increase the rates of computer and Internet use among

people with disabilities. But technology can also be an additional barrier if products are not designed

to be accessible. Innovations in the private sector as well as support from public entities are helping

to ensure that more people have access to the Information Age by developing hardware and

designing Web sites that are accessible to and usable by everyone.
Page 62 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

18 This Act, which celebrated its tenth anniversary on July 26, 2000, prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability

in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and

telecommunications. The Act also includes in its definition any individual with a disability, people with a history or

record of such an impairment and people who are perceived by others as having such an impairment.

19 This concept of disability was developed by John McNeil, Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce. For

additional information on developing an appropriate definition of disability in the context of the SIPP survey see John

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Box III-1

The Survey on Income and Program Participation

An advantage of the Survey on Income and Program Participation (SIPP) research data file is

that it allows examination of Internet access and computer use rates by people with specific

types of disabilities. This is an important advantage because the type of disability may have

implications for whether and how a person uses computer and accesses the Internet. The

Current Population Survey (CPS) contains only one question with respect to disability: CPS

respondents are asked if they have a health problem or disability which prevents them from

working or limits the amount or type of work they can perform. Using the December 1998 CPS

supplement, a recent study compares computer and Internet use between the group that has a

work disability with the rest of the population.* The CPS and SIPP have different purposes

and very different survey designs (see Methodology Section). The SIPP battery of questions

is considerably longer than the CPS and its lengthy interview process allows for the collection

of very detailed data such as that on a wide variety of disabilities used in this part of the report.

These SIPP data are, however, from a research data file and are therefore considered

preliminary and subject to revision. For more information on the SIPP see

http://www.sipp.census.gov/sipp/

* See H. Stephen Kaye, “Computer and Internet Use Among People with Disabilities,” Disability

Statistics Report (13), U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation

Research, 2000. 

DEFINITIONS

Analyzing the rates of usage of computers and the Internet among people with disabilities is

complicated by the existence of different ways of defining disability. Moreover, disability

identification is based on self-reporting, so people with similar conditions can disagree about

whether that condition constitutes a disability, and whether they want to identify as a person with

a disability. The approach used by this report is to follow a concept similar to that set out in the

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While the Act does not specify all the possible conditions

to which ADA protection applies, it does define a person with a disability to be one who has a

physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.18 Because

information on many types of disabilities are collected in the SIPP, it is possible to construct a group

that approximates the class protected under the ADA. The group designated as the group with

disabilities for the purposes of this study is defined in Box III-2.19 
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 63

M. McNeil, “Employment, Earnings, and Disability,” presented at 75th Annual Conference of the Western Economic

Association International meetings, June 29-July 3, 2000. (www.census.gov/hhes/www/disability.html).

20 An individual may have more than one type of disability.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

It is obvious that any categorization of those with disabilities, including the one detailed here, will

encompass a very diverse group of individuals who will differ from each other in almost as many

ways as they differ from those outside the group. Even given this extreme heterogeneity, it may be

useful to explore how the class protected by the ADA varies from the rest of the population in its

members’ use of technologies such as computers and the Internet. This aggregate, however, masks

the possible differences that may exist among people with different types of disabilities. Therefore,

in order to explore the rates at which individuals with different types of disabilities have access to

the Internet and use computers, this section also considers populations with five specific disabilities:

difficulty walking (i.e., uses a cane, crutches, or wheelchair), vision problems, hearing problems,

difficulty using hands, and learning disabilities.

The SIPP questions relating to Internet and computer use were asked of persons age 16 and above.

Between August and November 1999, when the disability and Internet and computer use questions

were asked, the U.S. population for those 16 and over was estimated to be approximately 209 million

with 45 million, or 21.8% having at least one of the disabilities in Box III-2. Although the

proportion of persons with any specific disabilities is not large on a proportional basis, even the

smallest group–those with a learning disability–has close to 3 million people (Table III-1).20

Table III-1

Disability Status of Persons 16 and Above

Number in Thousands Percent of

Population

Total Population 16 and over 208,783 

Has any Disability 45,416 21.8%

Has Difficulty with Walking 9,209 4.4%

Has Vision Problems 7,310 3.5%

Has Hearing Problems 6,961 3.3%

Has Difficulty using Hands 6,272 3.0%

Has a Learning Disability 2,945 1.4%

Source: Survey on Income and Program Participation, research data file (August -November 1999, Wave 11),

U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Respondents to the SIPP survey were asked whether they currently had Internet access from home

and, if they did not have access from home, they were asked if they had access to the Internet “from

work or somewhere else.” Respondents were not asked whether they actually used the Internet.
Page 64 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Box III-2

 Building a Disability Category

There are many types of disabilities including:

• Trouble walking, which includes those who use a cane, crutches, walker, wheelchair,

electric scooter, or similar aid for getting around

• Vision difficulties, which includes those who have difficulty seeing the words and letters

in ordinary newspaper print even when wearing glasses or contact lenses if they usually

wear them, in addition to the blind

• Hearing difficulties, which includes those who have difficulty hearing what is said in a

normal conversation with another person even when wearing hearing aid, in addition to the

deaf

• Difficulties using hands and fingers to do things such as picking up a glass or grasping a

pencil 

• Learning disabilities, such as dyslexia

These five disabilities, however, are not nearly inclusive enough to approach the ADA concept of

any “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” 

Therefore, in order to view the community of those with disabilities broadly, a category consisting

of people with any of the above disabilities, plus any of the following disabilities was constructed:

• Has difficulty having their speech understood 

• Has difficulty lifting and carrying something as heavy as 10 pounds–such as a bag of

groceries 

• Has difficulty walking up a flight of 10 stairs or walking a quarter of a mile

• Has difficulty using an ordinary telephone

• Because of a physical or mental health condition, has trouble doing any of the following by

themselves:

Getting around INSIDE the home

Going OUTSIDE the home, for example, to shop or visit a doctor’s office

Getting in and out of bed or a chair

Taking a bath or shower

Dressing

Eating

Using or getting to the toilet

Keeping track of money or bills

Preparing meals

Doing light housework such as washing dishes or sweeping a floor

Taking the right amount of prescribed medicine at the right time

• Is mentally retarded

• Has a developmental disability such as autism or cerebral palsy

• Has Alzheimer’s disease or any other serious problem with confusion or forgetfulness

• Has some other mental or emotional condition 

• During the past 12 months, reported that problems with people skills, concentration, or

stress seriously interfered with their ability to manage everyday activities 

• Has a long-lasting physical or mental condition that has made it difficult to remain

employed, to find a job, or to do work around the house 
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 65

21 The SIPP data from which these descriptive statistics are drawn are research data for which the analysis required to

construct confidence intervals has not yet been undertaken. Therefore it is not possible to judge with accuracy which

differences among groups are “real” in the statistical sense. All results and inferences contained in this section should

be consider preliminary pending development of testing criteria.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

15.0

16.3

21.3

17.5

31.2

21.6

42.1

3.6

4.8

5.9

5.0

81.5

78.9

72.8

77.5

57.8

71.6

43.3

11.0

6.8

14.6

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Walking Problems

Vision Problems

Hearing Problems

Difficulty Using

Hands

Learning Disability

With A Disability

With No Disability

Percent Internet Access at Home

No Home Internet, but access elsewhere

No Internet Access

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-1 

Internet Access by Disability Status, 1999

Therefore, persons with a disability could answer “yes” to Internet access at home, even if they

themselves never used it. As was noted in Part II, a quarter of people in homes with Internet access

do not actually use that access. This survey’s results, therefore, most likely overstate the rate of

Internet use by those with and without disabilities. The degree of overstatement may also be larger

for those with disabilities and vary for particular types of disabilities. 

As shown in Figure III-1, persons with a disability were only half as likely to have Internet access

either from home or some other location than those without any disability. There were, however,

differences in rates of access for specific disabilities. Those with a learning disability, for example,

are more like the population with no disability than are those with a vision problems in having access

to the Internet.21

While the SIPP did not question all respondents about computer ownership, respondents were asked

about their experience with personal computers. As shown in Figure III-2, one half (51%) of those

without a disability use “a personal computer on a regular basis” and an additional quarter of this

group responded that they have “used a personal computer, but do[es] not now use one on a regular

basis.” Only 25% of the group without disabilities has never used a personal computer. The

situation is quite different for those who have a disability. Those with learning disabilities are the

only group with a disability where at least half of the population has any experience using a personal

computer.
Page 66 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

11.9

13.5

18.6

12.8

31.5

20.9

51.0

13.7

16.9

17.1

19.2

27.6

20.1

25.7

74.3

69.7

64.3

68.1

40.9

59.0

23.3

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Walking Problems

Vision Problems

Hearing Problems

Difficulty Using Hands

Learning Disability

With A Disability

With No Disability

Percent Uses a Computer on a Regular Basis

Not a Regular User, But Has Used a Computer Before

Never Used a Computer

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-2

Personal Computer Use Experience by Disability Status, 1999

46.5

31.7

31.7

44.2

17.3

19.3

4.4

4.8

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

With A Disability

With No Disability

Percent

Home, but Not Work Home and Work

Work, But Not Home Other

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-3

Regular Users of PCs by Location and Disability Status, 1999

Among those who said they regularly used a personal computer (51.0% of those with no disability

and 20.9% of those with a disability), those with a disability more often noted “at home” to be the

place where they used a computer, rather than the “work and home” category most often claimed by

the group with no disabilities (see Figure III-3).
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 67

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

EXPLORING POPULATIONS WITH DISABILITIES

While some of the results presented above have plausible explanations, others raise more questions

than answers. One could hypothesize, for example, that the lower rates of PC use at work by those

with a disability reflect lower employment among that group, that software that relies heavily on

“mouse” commands makes computer use difficult for those with manual dexterity problems, or that

Web pages that are covered with graphics make it difficult for people with vision problems to

navigate a site. Why, then, do those who use crutches, canes, or wheelchairs have a similarly low

proportions of people accessing the Internet or using a PC regularly as those, say, with vision

impairment? In order to better understand the use of computers and the Internet by those with

disabilities, further examination of the composition of the various groups is necessary.

People with a disability (again using the criteria set in Box III-2) are somewhat more likely to be

female than the population without disabilities, and there are some relatively minor differences in

race and ethnicity distributions between the two groups (see Table III-7). There are striking

differences, however, in income, age, and employment distributions: the group with disabilities has

lower income, is older, and is less likely to be employed than the group without disabilities (see

Figures III-4 to III-9). The previous sections of this report show these three variables to be

associated with substantial variations in computer use and Internet access. And, indeed, some

interesting variations are found in rates of Internet access and regular computer use between

disabled and nondisabled populations when considered over these dimensions, as well as gender and

race/ethnicity.
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Source: Survey on Income and Program Participation (Aug. -Nov. 1999),.U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Not Employed

25.7%

Employed

74.3%

 

 

Figure III-9

Employment Status Distribution for

Persons without a Disability

65 and above

9.6%

50 to 64 year olds

17.1%

25 to 49 year olds

54.2%

18 to 24 year olds

19.1%

Figure III-7

Age Distribution for Persons without a

Disability

65 and above

37.4%

50 to 64 year olds

25.5%

25 to 49 year olds

30.6%

18 to 24 year olds

6.5%

Figure III-6

Age Distribution for Persons with a

Disability

$75,000 or more

25.3%

$50,000 to $74,999

21.4% $25,000 to $49,999

29.6%

Less than $25,000

23.7%

Figure III-5

Income Distribution for Persons without a

Disability

$75,000 or more

10.6%

$50,000 to $74,999

13.2%

$25,000 to $49,999

27.7%

Less than $25,000

48.5%

Figure III-4

Income Distribution for Persons with a Disability

Not Employed

67.8%

Employed

32.2%

 

 

Figure III-8

Employment Status Distribution for

Persons with a Disability
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 69

22 The companion figures of “No Internet Access at Home, But Elsewhere” and “Never Used a PC” appear in Table III-8.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

10.4

23.8

34.2

51.3

23.1

35.0

49.6

62.0

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

less than $25,000 $25,000 to

$49,999

$50,000 to

$74,999

$75,000 and

above

Percent

With a Disability

With No Disability

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-10

Internet Access at Home by Income and Disability Status, 1999

10.0

24.1

34.0

45.4

31.6

46.7

57.9

68.3

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

less than

$25,000

$25,000 to

$49,999

$50,000 to

$74,999

$75,000 and

above

Percent

With a Disability

With No Disability

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-11

Regularly Uses a PC by Income and Disability Status, 1999

INCOME

As shown in Figure III-10, people with a disability are less likely to have access to the Internet than

people without a disability at all income levels. This disparity between the two groups declines as

income rises. For example, a person with a disability is less than half as likely to have home Internet

access if family income is less than $25,000, while there is less than a 20% differential in access

rates where family income is in the $75,000 and above range. Similarly, Figure III-11 shows that

the difference between the percentage of people with disabilities who regularly use a PC and the

percentage of people without a disability who regularly use a PC narrows as incomes rise.22
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24.4

10.1

23.4

14.7

47.7

24.7

45.9

21.9

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

White Black Asian Am. and

Pacific Islander

Hispanic

Percent

With a Disability

With No Disability

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-12

Internet Access at Home by Race/Ethnicity and Disability Status,

1999

23.2

13.3 16.6 14.0

55.8

38.3

51.8

32.3

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

White Black Asian Am. and

Pacific

Islanders

Hispanic

Percent

With a Disability

With No Disability

=

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-13

Regularly Uses a PC by Race/Ethnicity and Disability Status, 1999

RACE AND ETHNICITY

As regards home Internet access, Hispanics with a disability are the most like their comparative

group without a disability, with the access rate of the former being 67% of the latter(see Figure III12). When considering differences in the proportion of each group that uses a PC regularly (see

Figure III-13), Blacks and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have the greatest disparity between

persons with and without disabilities on a percentage basis.
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35.9

31.4

24.0

9.3

41.4

46.6

42.5

17.5

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

16-24 years 25-49 years 50-64 years 65 and over

Percent

With a Disability

With No Disability

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-14 

Internet Access at Home by Age and Disability Status, 1999

39.5

33.3

23.3

5.7

57.6 55.9

48.1

15.1

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

16-24 years 24-49 years 50-64 years 65 and over

Percent

With a Disability

With No Disability

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-15

Regularly Uses a PC by Age and Disability Status, 1999

AGE

Individuals in younger age groups are more similar in their degree of home Internet access whether

or not they have a disability, but the disparity rises as age increases. Figure III-14 shows that those

with a disability in the 16-24 year old age range have Internet access at a rate that is nearly 90% of

the rate of those without a disability. The disparity between the two groups increases with age,

reaching almost 50% in the 65 and over age group. A similar type of pattern holds when considering

the differences that exist between persons with and without disabilities in their experience with

personal computers across age groups (see Figure III-15).
Page 72 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

23 Note that this section (unlike Part II) groups those who are both unemployed and seeking work with those not in the

labor force instead of considering the employed and the unemployed. 

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

14.9

35.7 32.0

45.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Not Employed Employed

Percent

With a Disability

With No Disability

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-16

Internet Access at Home by Employment and Disability

Status, 1999

10.8

41.9

35.0

56.5

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Not Employed Employed

Percent

With a Disability

With No Disability

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-17

Regularly Uses a PC by Employment and Disability Status,

1999

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

The following charts (Figures III-16 and III-17) consider disability status by employment status.23

As noted in Figures III-8 and III-9, the majority of individuals with a disability are not employed

(67.8%). When we compare home Internet access rates and regular use of PCs between those with

disabilities and those without, controlling for employment status, we find employed persons in the

two groups are substantially more similar, than are the non-employed groups. For example,

employed persons with a disability have home Internet access at a rate that is 78.3% of that for the

group with no disabilities, while among the non-employed, the access rate of people with disabilities

is only 46.6% of that of the group with no disabilities.
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23.9

19.7

43.3 41.0

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Male Female

Percent

With a Disability

With No Disability

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-18

Internet Access at Home by Gender and Disability Status, 1999

22.5 19.6

50.3 51.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Male Female

Percent

With a Disability

With No Disability

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-19

Regularly Uses a PC by Gender and Disability Status, 1999

GENDER

As shown in Figure III-18, males with or without disabilities are more likely than females in the

comparable populations to have Internet access at home. Further the difference between the group

with disabilities and the group without disabilities is larger for women, than for men (48% to 55%,

respectively). This variation is even more pronounced in the comparison of the proportion of

persons who regularly use a PC: even though a slightly higher proportion of women without a

disability regularly use a PC, women with a disability lag men with a disability in this category (see

Figure III-19). 
Page 74 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

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Table III-2

Population Distribution by Age and Disability

16-24 25-49 50-64 65 and older

No

Disability

Has A

Disability 

No

Disability

Has A

Disability 

No

Disability

Has A

Disability 

No

Disability

Has A

Disability 

Population

(in thousands) 

31,282 2,960 88,557 13,885 27,932 11,604 15,596 16,966

Population

Distribution

91.4 8.6 86.4 13.6 70.6 29.4 47.9 52.1

Male 50.0 52.9 49.5 47.6 49.6 44.4 46.7 38.5

Female 50.0 47.1 50.5 52.4 50.4 55.6 53.3 61.5

White Non-Hisp. 64.9 66.4 71.9 68.8 81.3 73.9 86.4 80.8

Black Non-Hisp 14.0 18.2 11.7 16.3 8.0 13.5 6.5 9.6

Asian Am. and

Pacific Islanders

4.3 1.4 3.9 2.5 3.0 2.5 2.2 2.5

Hispanic 15.7 10.9 11.7 10.7 7.1 8.8 4.6 6.1

Employed 59.6 43.2 86.9 54.9 80.3 38.4 21.5 7.5

Not Employed 40.4 56.8 13.1 45.1 19.7 61.6 78.5 92.5

Less than $25,000 27.4 38.5 20.3 42.6 18.7 41.4 44.9 60.1

$25,000 - $49,999 25.5 26.0 31.2 29.1 27.5 29.2 32.6 25.8

$50,000 - $74,999 20.0 15.1 22.9 15.9 22.7 16.6 12.7 8.2

$75,000 and above 27.1 20.4 25.6 12.4 31.1 12.8 9.8 5.9

Not a High School

Graduate

9.5 21.3 11.3 29.8 24.7 40.6

High School

Graduate

30.3 37.0 31.8 33.4 36.5 30.8

Some College 31.2 28.5 27.7 23.6 21.3 17.9

College Graduate 28.9 13.2 29.2 13.2 17.5 10.7

Source: Survey on Income and Program Participation, research data file (August -November 1999, Wave 11), U.S.

Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Note: Educational attainment not reported for 16-24 year olds in this table because over 50% of this age group are fulltime students.
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 75

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

While any of the above socio-economic variables would provide an interesting basis by which to

consider specific disabilities in greater detail, age is the variable selected here. As people age, they

are increasingly likely to develop a disability. Fewer than 9% of people between the ages of 16 and

24 have a disability, but more than half of those 65 and older have at least one type of disability.

(Table III-7 and III-9). And as shown in Table III-2, although differences remain between those

groups with and without disabilities in each of the four age groups considered here across variables

such as gender, race/ethnicity, employment status, and income, these differences are less than the

differences shown in Table III-7.

ACCESS, USE, AND DISABILITY: 16-24 YEAR OLDS

This youngest of the age groups for which SIPP computer use and Internet access data are available

has the highest rates of Internet and computer use, and members of this age group are least likely to

have a disability. Of the population with a disability, just under 3 million fall into the 16-24 year old

range, limiting the amount of disaggregation that can be presented for this age group. Of the specific

disabilities considered in this report, only learning disabilities had a sample size sufficient to produce

reliable results. Those with learning disabilities make up 2.8% of the population in this age group,

while the other disabilities of difficulty walking, seeing, hearing, and using one’s hands each make

up less than 1% of this population group.

 

Although 16-24 year olds with disabilities have lower rates of Internet access and are less likely to

have used a PC, the differences between people who have a disability and people who do not are

much smaller than for the entire 16 and over population (Figures III-20 and III-21). Table III-3

shows how Internet access and PC use varies across several sets of characteristics. Of special note

is the fact that Internet access is the same for people who have a disability and are employed, as for

people who do not have a disability and are employed. A separate breakout of educational

attainment is not included for this age group because over half of the people in this age category are

full-time students. 
Page 76 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

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36.9

35.9

41.4

17.3

17.1

20.6

45.8

47.1

38.0

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Learning Disability

With A Disability

With No Disability

Percent

Internet Access at Home

No Home Internet, but access elsewhere

No Internet Access

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-20

 Internet Access Among 16-24 Year Olds by Disability Status,

1999

35.8

39.5

57.6

41.1

38.9

33.0

23.1

21.6

9.4

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Learning Disability

With A Disability

With No Disability

Uses a Computer on a Regular Basis Percent

Not a Regular User, But Has Used a Computer Before

Never Used a Computer

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-21

Personal Computer Use Experience Among 16-24 Year Olds

by Disability Status, 1999
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Table III-3

Internet Access and Computer Use by 16-24 Year Olds

(Population: 34,242,000) 

Home Internet

Access

Internet Access,

But Not At Home

Regular PC User Never Used a PC

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

All 16-24 Year

Olds

41.4 35.9 20.6 17.1 57.6 39.5 9.4 21.6

Male 41.5 34.8 19.4 15.1 54.8 35.5 10.1 22.6

Female 41.2 37.1 21.9 19.2 60.3 44.0 8.8 20.5

White Non-Hisp. 50.0 44.7 20.1 16.0 64.4 46.5 5.6 16.2

Black Non-Hisp 22.8 23.5 41.1 23.4 16.8 35.8

Asian Am. and

Pacific Islanders

48.3 20.1 69.0 5.4

Hispanic 21.6 20.2 41.6 30.8 18.6 31.3

Employed 44.4 43.4 19.8 19.6 59.1 48.8 8.0 10.9

Not Employed 36.9 30.1 21.9 15.1 55.3 32.4 11.5 29.7

Less than $25,000 24.6 25.0 23.4 19.5 42.6 28.6 14.7 27.7

$25,000 - $49,999 35.7 32.8 23.0 17.8 55.1 37.5 10.4 22.3

$50,000 - $74,999 46.3 19.2 63.2 8.1 16.4

$75,000 and above 60.0 57.4 16.6 14.1 70.8 59.2 4.2 13.1

Full-Time Students 49.1 43.0 24.5 19.8 69.1 50.2 4.5 16.6

Source: Survey on Income and Program Participation, research data file (August -November 1999, Wave 11), U.S.

Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Note: Blank cells in the table indicate insufficient sample size to produce reliable estimates.
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32.3

30.5

40.5

32.4

30.5

31.4

46.6

11.2

9.8

12.2

10.5

9.6

10.5

15.0

56.5

59.7

47.4

57.1

59.9

58.1

38.3

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Walking Problems

Vision Problems

Hearing Problems

Difficulty Using Hands

Learning Disability

With A Disability

With No Disability

Internet Access at Home Percent

No Home Internet, but access elsewhere

Never Used a Computer

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-22

Internet Access Among 25-49 Year Olds by Disability Status, 1999

34.3

30.4

39.3

27.1

31.3

33.3

55.9

24.0

28.8

27.4

33.9

24.9

27.1

25.2

41.7

40.8

33.3

38.9

43.8

39.5

18.9

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Walking Problems

Vision Problems

Hearing Problems

Difficulty Using Hands

Learning Disability

With A Disability

With No Disability

Percent Uses a Computer on a Regular Basis

Not a Regular User, But Has Used a Computer Before

Never Used a Computer

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-23

Personal Computer Use Experience Among 25-49 Year Olds

by Disability Status, 1999

ACCESS, USE, AND DISABILITY: 25-49 YEAR OLDS

Although data presented in Part II indicate that the proportion of individuals using the Internet

remains relatively constant over every age in this grouping, there are substantial differences in access

when considered across characteristics such as income and educational attainment (see Table III-4).

For example, college graduates in the 25-49 year old age group had very similar rates of home

Internet access regardless of disability status (67.8% for those with no disability and 65.2% for those

with a disability). In addition, there are differences among the people with various disabilities within

this group. Those with hearing difficulties had an Internet access rate of 52.7%,roughly half-way

between the 61.6% rate for those without a disability and the rates in the low 40s for those with other

disabilities.
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 79

24 The data in Figures III-24 and III-25 refer to those who were employed on a full-time basis for the reference period

of the survey. Data in Table III-4 and elsewhere consider people who had any employment (full or part-time) during the

reference period to be employed.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

42.5

39.2

46.3

42.0

42.8

39.8

47.4

21.7

15.0

15.2

17.4

16.0

16.0

16.4

35.8

45.8

38.6

40.6

41.2

44.3

36.2

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Walking Problems

Vision Problems

Hearing Problems

Difficulty Using Hands

Learning Disability

With A Disability

With No Disability

Percent Internet Access at Home

No Home Internet, but access elsewhere

Never Used a Computer

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-24

Internet Access Among Employed 25-49 Year Olds by Disability

Status, 1999

53.1

44.0

47.7

41.1

46.7

46.5

58.6

26.9

24.9

27.4

36.1

31.1

27.1

24.5

20.1

31.1

25.0

22.8

22.2

26.4

17.0

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Walking Problems

Vision Problems

Hearing Problems

Difficulty Using Hands

Learning Disability

With A Disability

With No Disability

Percent PC Uses a Computer on a Regular Basis

PC Not a Regular User, But Has Used a Computer Before

PC Never Used a Computer

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-25

 Personal Computer Use Experience Among Employed 25-49 Year

Olds by Disability Status, 1999

This age group has the highest proportion employed of any age group considered here and although

the proportion employed on a full-time basis among those with no disabilities (86.9%) exceeds the

proportion of those with a disability who are likewise employed (54.9%), there are sufficient

numbers in both groups to take a detailed look at variations by disability status. As shown in Figures

III-24 and III-25, differences in Internet access and computer use are less when considering only

those in each group who were employed on a full-time basis24. 
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Table III-4

Internet Access and Computer Use by 25-49 Year Olds

(Population: 102,442,000) 

Home Internet

Access

Internet Access,

But Not At Home

Regular PC User Never Used a PC

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

All 25-49 Year

Olds 

46.6 31.4 15.0 10.5 55.9 33.3 18.9 39.5

Male 47.3 31.6 13.1 8.3 54.4 33.2 21.0 43.3

Female 46.0 31.2 16.9 12.5 57.4 33.5 16.8 36.1

White Non-Hisp. 53.6 37.1 15.6 11.4 62.42 39.0 12.5 32.6

Black Non-Hisp 27.4 14.8 17.4 9.2 41.8 17.8 28.2 58.6

Asian Am. and

Pacific Islanders

49.9 12.2 53.9 32.8 23.2 40.0

Hispanic 23.3 18.6 9.8 6.8 31.6 21.1 47.2 54.4

Employed 47.3 39.4 16.3 15.2 58.3 45.7 17.1 26.3

Not Employed 42.4 21.6 6.5 4.8 40.3 18.3 30.6 55.7

Less than $25,000 27.7 16.9 12.4 7.7 36.5 18.0 34.6 52.9

$25,000 - $49,999 39.0 33.6 17.5 12.1 51.2 38.1 21.4 34.8

$50,000 - $74,999 53.3 44.5 14.7 12.9 61.8 45.9 13.2 28.5

$75,000 and above 64.9 59.1 14.4 13.3 71.8 58.3 8.5 19.2

Not a High School

Graduate

12.2 9.4 3.8 4.0 13.6 8.9 64.0 74.8

High School

Graduate

34.1 24.5 12.9 8.4 39.9 24.0 27.2 43.6

Some College 49.7 41.2 17.0 15.2 60.7 45.5 11.4 22.8

College Graduate 67.8 65.2 18.8 16.9 81.5 72.6 3.3 7.2

Source: Survey on Income and Program Participation, research data file (August -November 1999, Wave 11), U.S.

Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Note: Blank cells in the table indicate insufficient sample size to produce reliable estimates.
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25.1

21.0

28.4

22.5

24.0

42.5

5.0

6.6

11.0

6.5

7.2

12.6

69.8

72.4

60.6

71.0

68.8

44.9

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Walking Problems

Vision Problems

Hearing Problems

Difficulty Using

Hands

With A Disability

With No Disability

Percent Internet Access at Home

No Home Internet, but access elsewhere

No Internet Access

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-26

Internet Access Among 50-64 Year Olds by Disability Status, 1999

22.7

17.7

26.7

18.4

23.3

48.1

20.6

22.1

23.0

21.5

21.2

23.0

56.7

60.2

50.3

60.1

55.5

28.9

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Walking Problems

Vision Problems

Hearing Problems

Difficulty Using Hands

With A Disability

With No Disability

Uses a Computer on a Regular Basis Percent

Not a Regular User, But Has Used a Computer Before

Never Used a Computer

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-27

Personal Computer Use Experience Among 50-64 Year Olds

by Disability Status, 1999

ACCESS, USE, AND DISABILITY: 50-64 YEAR OLDS

Among the 50 to 64 year old age group, 30% have at least one of the disabilities listed in Box III-2

and the proportion with any one of the five disabilities considered, with the exception of learning

disabilities, is also substantially higher than in the 25-49 year old group. This is an age group that

has wide variations in Internet access and computer use within the group of people who have

disabilities. For example, 70.9% of those who have a disability and have family income of less than

$25,000 have never used a PC. That proportion falls to 29.7% in the $75,000 and above income

group.
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Table III-5

Internet Access and Computer Use by 50-64 Year Olds

(Population: 39,536,000) 

Home Internet

Access

Internet Access,

But Not At Home

Regular PC User Never Used a PC

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

All 50-64 Year

Olds

42.5 24.0 12.6 7.2 48.1 23.3 28.9 55.5

Male 45.1 25.2 11.2 7.6 48.7 23.5 30.2 56.4

Female 39.9 23.0 13.9 6.8 47.5 23.1 27.7 54.8

White Non-Hisp. 46.6 28.2 13.2 7.8 52.8 26.8 23.8 50.4

Black Non-Hisp 23.8 10.0 11.5 7.1 31.0 14.9 45.8 66.9

Asian Am. and

Pacific Islanders

34.2 10.4 31.8 46.8

Hispanic 20.6 7.2 21.3 10.2 61.4 77.3

Employed 44.2 32.8 14.8 14.3 52.6 39.9 25.6 36.8

Not Employed 35.5 18.5 3.8 2.7 29.6 12.9 42.7 67.2

Less than $25,000 23.6 12.2 10.5 4.2 28.1 10.9 47.3 70.9

$25,000 - $49,999 31.2 23.9 12.6 8.3 40.7 24.8 34.6 52.6

$50,000 - $74,999 46.5 30.5 12.9 10.7 51.5 33.8 25.2 42.3

$75,000 and above 60.8 54.2 13.6 9.6 64.1 46.3 15.6 29.7

Not a High School

Graduate

13.6 7.4 4.0 1.8 11.4 5.8 73.6 83.5

High School

Graduate

30.6 17.6 11.9 7.1 34.0 17.3 39.8 59.4

Some College 45.7 39.4 13.7 10.7 52.1 38.6 19.4 33.6

College Graduate 63.6 50.2 15.6 13.2 73.8 50.4 8.9 21.7

Source: Survey on Income and Program Participation, research data file (August -November 1999, Wave 11), U.S.

Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Note: Blank cells in the table indicate insufficient sample size to produce reliable estimates.
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9.3

17.4

1.8

3.7

88.8

78.9

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

With A Disability

With No Disability

Percent

Internet Access at Home

No Home Internet, but access elsewhere

No Internet Access

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-28

Internet Access Among 65 and Older, by Disability Status, 1999

2.5

2.9

6.9

2.8

5.7

15.1

8.6

7.7

10.1

10.1

10.5

18.3

88.9

89.4

83.0

87.1

83.8

66.6

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Walking Problems

Vision Problems

Hearing Problems

Trouble Grasping

With A Disability

With No Disability

Percent Uses a Computer on a Regular Basis

Not a Regular User, But Has Used a Computer Before

Never Used a Computer

Source: Survey on Income and Program Paritipation, research data file (Aug-Nov 1999, Wave 11), U.S. Bureau of the Census,

U.S. Department of Commerce.

Figure III-29

Personal Computer Use Experience Among 65 and Older by

Disability Status, 1999

ACCESS, USE, AND DISABILITY: 65 YEAR OLDS AND OLDER

Over one-half (52.1%) of the population in this age group has a disability. Considering it another

way, this age group accounts for only 15.6% of the population as a whole, but over one-third

(37.4%)of the total number of people with a disability. This age group has very low rates of home

Internet access and computer use generally, and the rates for those with a disability are very low.

Therefore, even with the large number of those with a disability, low rates of home Internet access

make it impossible to distinguish between individual types of disabilities for Figure III-28. 
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Table III-6

Internet Access and Computer Use by 65 Year Olds and Older

(Population: 4,221,000) 

Home Internet

Access

Internet Access,

But Not At Home

Regular PC User Never Used a PC

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

All 65 and Older 17.4 9.3 3.7 1.8 15.1 5.7 66.6 83.8

Male 20.2 12.5 3.9 1.9 19.7 7.6 63.0 79.8

Female 15.0 7.4 3.5 1.8 11.0 4.5 69.8 86.3

White Non-Hisp. 18.6 10.4 3.7 2.0 16.2 6.6 64.7 81.6

Black Non-Hisp

Asian Am. and

Pacific Islanders

Hispanic

Employed 24.6 9.8 28.4 19.2 52.1 64.2

Not Employed 15.5 8.8 2.0 1.6 11.4 4.6 70.6 85.4

Less than $25,000 9.1 4.1 2.8 1.1 7.9 2.9 78.9 89.6

$25,000 - $49,999 18.0 13.0 3.1 2.6 18.2 8.2 59.5 78.1

$50,000 - $74,999 31.3 5.5 22.7 12.3 52.8 69.0

$75,000 and above 36.1 7.3 27.3 13.8 51.9 70.8

Not a High School

Graduate

5.3 1.6 3.5 1.7 87.6 94.4

High School

Graduate

12.5 9.0 3.0 1.6 10.2 4.5 72.1 84.1

Some College 23.8 13.4 5.2 3.1 20.2 8.9 56.3 73.7

College Graduate 37.1 23.8 6.3 4.9 35.4 19.4 38.1 59.8

Source: Survey on Income and Program Participation, research data file (August -November 1999, Wave 11), U.S.

Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Note: Blank cells in the table indicate insufficient sample size to produce reliable estimates.
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Table III-7

Individuals 16 and over

(Numbers in Thousands)

Total Population Persons without a

Disability

Persons with a Disability

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

TOTAL 208,783 163,367 78.2 45,416 21.8

GENDER

Male 100,449 48.1 80,580 49.3 19,869 43.7

Female 108,334 51.9 82,787 50.7 25,547 56.3

AGE

16 to 24 34,241 16.4 31,282 19.1 2,960 6.5

25 to 49 102,442 49.1 88,557 54.2 13,885 30.6

50 to 64 39,536 18.9 27,932 17.1 11,604 25.5

65 + 32,563 15.6 15,596 9.6 16,996 37.4

FAMILY INCOME

Less than $25,000 60,767 29.1 38,723 23.7 22,045 48.5

$25,000 to $49,999 60,976 29.2 48,405 29.6 12,571 27.7

$50,000 to $74,999 40,868 19.6 34,892 21.4 5,976 13.2

$75,000 or more 46,170 22.1 41,347 25.3 4,824 10.6

EMPLOYMENT

STATUS

Employed 136,030 65.2 121,398 74.3 14,632 32.2

Not Employed 72,753 34.8 41,969 25.7 30,784 67.8

RACE/ETHNICITY

White, Non-Hispanic 154,011 73.8 120,203 73.6 33,808 74.4

Black, Non-Hispanic 24,004 11.5 18,000 11.0 6,004 13.2

Asian Am.. and

Pacific Islander

7,089 3.4 5,984 3.7 1,105 2.4

Hispanic 21,836 10.5 17,965 11.0 3,871 8.5

Source: Survey on Income and Program Participation, research data file (August -November 1999, Wave 11), U.S.

Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce.
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Table III-8

Internet Access and Computer Use

(208,784,000)

Home Internet

Access

Internet Access,

But Not At Home

Regular PC User Never Used a PC

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

No

Disability

Has a

Disability

All Persons 16 and

Above

42.1 21.6 14.6 6.8 51.0 20.8 23.3 59.0

Male 43.3 23.9 13.2 6.6 50.3 22.5 24.2 57.1

Female 41.0 19.7 16.0 7.1 51.6 19.6 22.5 60.5

16-24 year olds 41.4 35.9 20.6 17.0 57.6 39.5 9.4 21.6

25-49 year olds 46.6 31.4 15.0 10.5 55.9 33.3 18.9 39.5

50-64 year olds 42.5 24.0 12.6 7.2 47.1 23.3 28.9 55.5

65 and older 17.5 9.3 3.7 1.8 15.1 5.7 66.6 83.8

White Non-Hisp. 47.7 24.4 14.6 7.0 55.8 23.2 19.3 56.0

Black Non-Hisp 24.7 10.1 17.4 7.8 38.3 13.2 30.5 68.1

Asian Am. and

Pacific Islander

45.9 23.4 13.4 51.8 16.6 25.2 67.2

Hispanic 21.9 14.6 12.0 4.8 32.2 13.9 42.3 69.1

Less than $25,000 23.1 10.4 12.8 4.5 31.6 10.0 39.9 72.5

$25,000 - $49,999 35.0 23.8 16.1 8.1 46.7 24.1 25.7 53.9

$50,000 - $74,999 49.6 34.2 14.6 10.1 57.9 34.0 16.7 41.5

$75,000 and above 62.0 51.3 14.4 10.3 68.3 45.4 10.7 32.5

Source: Survey on Income and Program Participation, research data file (August -November 1999, Wave 11), U.S.

Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Note: Blank cells in the table indicate insufficient sample size to produce reliable estimates.
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Table III-9

Disability by Age

16-24

(34,241,000)

25-49

(102,442,000)

50-64

(39,536,000)

65 and above

(32,563,000)

No Disability 91.4 86.4 70.6 47.9

Has a Disability 8.6 13.6 29.4 52.1

Difficulty Walking 0.4 1.4 4.8 17.7

Difficulty Seeing 0.5 1.7 4.1 11.4

Difficulty Hearing 0.7 1.3 3.7 12.0

Difficulty Grasping 0.3 1.5 4.0 9.4

Learning Disability 2.8 1.4 1.1 0.5

Source: Survey on Income and Program Participation, research data file (August -November 1999, Wave 11), U.S.

Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce.
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CONCLUSION - A LOOK AHEAD

More and more Americans have computers and use the Internet. If current trends continue, we

expect more than half of all U.S. households will be connected to the Internet by the end of 2000,

and more than half of all individuals will be using the Internet by the middle of 2001. We are

approaching the point where not having access to these tools is likely to put an individual at a

competitive disadvantage and in a position of being a less-than-full participant in the digital

economy. Most groups, regardless of income, education, race or ethnicity, location, age, or gender

are making dramatic gains. Nevertheless, some large divides still exist and groups are going online

at different rates.

The detailed information in this report provides a basis against which we can measure change. We

have good data on household access as well as on individual access and use. The latter data will

become increasingly important as Americans access the Internet not only from their homes, but also

from new hand-held and mobile devices. And, for the first time, we now have information on the

use of the Internet by people with disabilities, as well as new technologies such as broadband

services. These data can help policymakers focus policies and programs to promote inclusion in

using computers and the Internet. Our next survey, to be conducted in September 2001, will give

us fresh results and a new opportunity to measure progress.

The nation is rapidly going online, with an ever higher share of Americans regularly using computers

and the Internet in their daily lives. The U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to work

vigorously to better measure, understand, and promote the goal of full digital inclusion for all

Americans. 
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FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 91

25 The first report, Falling Through the Net: A Survey of the “Have Nots” in Rural and Urban America (July 1995),

surveyed household telephone, computer, and modem ownership. Falling Through the Net II: New Data on the Digital

Divide (July 1998), presented updated data on household access to telephones, computers, and the Internet. Falling

Through the Net: Defining the Digital Divide (July 1999) provided new data on household access to these technologies,

and also provided new information on individual Internet access and usage. 

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

METHODOLOGY

This report is the fourth in the Department of Commerce’s Falling Through the Net series, which

surveys trends in Americans’ access to new technologies.25 As in our previous reports, we utilize

data from the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Census Bureau. The household data in Part I, and

the individual access and usage data in Part II, of this report come from the Census Bureau’s August

2000 Current Population Survey (CPS) of approximately 48,000 sample households. For the first

time in this series, we also report on access to new technologies by people with disabilities (in Part

III), using data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).

CURRENT POPULATION SURVEY

In collecting household and individual data for the CPS, the Census Bureau interviewed

approximately 48,000 sample households. These households were selected from the 1990

Decennial Census files continually updated to account for new residential construction after

1990. The CPS sample is representative of all fifty states and the District of Columbia. 

 

For each household, Census Bureau interviewers spoke to a person (called the “respondent”) who

was at least 15 years old and was considered knowledgeable about everyone in the household. 

The respondent provided information for the entire household including the demographics (such

as education level, race, and age) of each household member and the income level for the

household. The “householder” or “reference person” is an adult in the household who either

owns or has signed for the rent on the residence. The respondent provided responses for him or

herself and proxy responses for all other members of that household. The survey, therefore,

provided information on 121,745 individuals (including children).

As in the prior three reports, the Census Bureau cross-tabulated the information gathered from

the CPS according to specific variables, such as income, race, education level, household type,

and age as well as by geographic categories, such as rural, urban, and central city, plus state and

region. The Census Bureau determined that some of the data were statistically insignificant for

meaningful analysis because the sample from which they were derived was too small. 

All statistics are subject to sampling error, as well as non-sampling error such as survey design

flaws, respondent classification and reporting errors, data processing mistakes and

undercoverage. The Census Bureau has taken steps to minimize errors in the form of quality

control and edit procedures to reduce errors made by respondents, coders, and interviewers. 
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Ratio estimation to independent age-race-sex-Hispanic population controls partially corrects for

bias attributable to survey undercoverage. However, biases exist in the estimates when missed

people have characteristics different from those of interviewed people in the same age-race-sexHispanic group.

SURVEY OF INCOME AND PROGRAM PARTICIPATION 

Information on people with disabilities was gathered from the SIPP, sponsored and conducted by

the Census Bureau. This survey is a continuous series of national panels, with sample size

ranging from approximately 11,500 to 36,700 interviewed households. The duration of each

panel ranges from 2 1⁄2 years to 4 years. The SIPP sample is a multistage-stratified sample of the

U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. The 4-year panel containing the disability data was

introduced in April 1996.

To facilitate field procedures, each sample panel is divided into four random subsamples, each

representative of the Nation, called "rotation groups." Each rotation group is interviewed in a

separate month. Four rotation groups thus comprise one cycle or wave of interviewing for the

entire panel. At each interview, respondents are asked to provide information covering the 4

months since the previous interview. This 4-month span is the "reference period” for the

interview. 

The SIPP content is built around a "core" of labor force, program participation, and income

questions designed to measure the economic situation of persons in the United States. These

questions expand the data currently available on the distribution of cash and noncash income and

are repeated at each interviewing wave. Census Bureau field representatives conduct the

interviews by telephone and by personal visit using laptop computers.

The survey has been designed also to provide a broader context for analysis by adding questions

on a variety of topics not covered in the core section. These questions are labeled "topical

modules" and are assigned to particular interviewing waves of the survey. Topics covered by the

modules include personal history, child care, wealth, program eligibility, child support, disability,

school enrollment, taxes, and annual income. Wave 11 conducted between August and

November 1999 contained a topical module on adult disability to which questions of Internet

access and computer use were added. This module can be found at

http://www.sipp.census.gov/sipp/top_mod/1996/quests/wave11/ adultdis.html.

SIPP estimates are subject to errors of two different kinds: sampling error, or errors due to the

fact that the results from the SIPP sample may differ from those that might have been obtained if

the entire population had been surveyed (i.e., if a census had been taken); and nonsampling

errors, or errors due to undercoverage and nonresponse, and errors made during data collection

and processing.
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APPENDIX
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Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer and Internet Access

1994, 1997, 1998, 2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current 

Population Survey supplements. Percent of U.S. Households

Computer

Internet access

Computer 24.1 36.6 42.1 51.0

Internet access 18.6 26.2 41.5

1994 1997 1998 2000

Figure A1

Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer

By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas

1994, 1997, 1998, 2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population 

Survey supplements.

Percent of U.S. Households

1994

1997

1998

2000

1994 24.1 22.1 24.8 22.0

1997 36.6 34.9 37.2 32.8

1998 42.1 39.9 42.9 38.5

2000 51.0 49.6 51.5 46.3

U.S. Rural Urban Central City

Figure A2
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National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer

By Income, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of U.S. Households

U.S.

Rural

Urban

Central City

U.S. 21.8 14.6 22.0 28.4 31.4 44.6 58.6 73.2 86.3

Rural 16.0 13.0 20.7 28.3 29.4 43.3 58.1 72.7 86.8

Urban 23.6 15.1 22.4 28.4 32.1 45.1 58.8 73.4 86.2

Central City 23.7 14.7 22.8 29.0 30.6 44.2 57.1 70.7 83.7

Under 

$5,000

5,000-

9,999

10,000-

14,999

15,000-

19,999

20,000-

24,999

25,000-

34,999

35,000-

49,999

50,000-

74,999 75,000+

Figure A3

Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer

By Race/Hispanic Origin, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of U.S. Households

U.S.

Rural

Urban

Central City

U.S. 55.7 32.6 65.6 33.7

Rural 51.8 27.5 70.3 28.8

Urban 57.3 33.3 65.3 34.2

Central City 55.5 28.7 61.1 31.1

White Black Asian Amer. & Pac. Isl. Hispanic 

Figure A4
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Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer

By Income, By Race/ Hispanic Origin

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of U.S. Households

White

Black

Asian Amer. & Pac. Isl.

Hispanic 

White 22.8 40.8 68.7 87.0

Black 11.5 27.3 52.7 83.4

Asian Amer. & Pac. Isl. 39.4 53.5 72.4 86.9

Hispanic 12.5 27.8 55.9 76.1

Under $15,000 $15,000-34,999 $35,000-74,999 $75,000+

Figure A5

Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer

By Education, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of U.S. Households

U.S.

Rural

Urban

Central City

U.S. 12.8 21.9 39.6 60.3 75.7

Rural 10.5 24.6 42.6 62.9 77.8

Urban 13.7 20.9 38.3 59.5 75.3

Central City 15.8 17.4 33.2 53.7 72.2

Elementary Some H.S. H.S. Diploma or 

GED Some College B.A. or more

Figure A6
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Percent of U.S. Households with a Computer

By Household Type, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of U.S. Households

U.S.

Rural

Urban

Central City

U.S. 73.2 45.6 42.9 52.5 34.6

Rural 73.3 43.3 41.6 48.0 26.2

Urban 73.2 46.3 43.2 54.4 36.5

Central City 65.9 43.1 34.9 48.9 37.9

Married couple w/ 

child <18

Male household w/ 

child <18

Female household 

w/ child <18

Family households 

w/o child

Non-family 

households

Figure A7

Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access

By U.S. Rural, Urban and Central City Areas

1998 and 2000

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population 

Survey supplements. Percent of U.S. Households

1998

2000

1998 26.2 22.2 27.5 24.5

2000 41.5 38.9 42.3 37.7

U.S. Rural Urban Central City

Figure A8
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Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access

By Income, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of U.S. Households

U.S.

Rural

Urban

Central City

U.S. 16.0 9.3 14.2 19.2 22.9 34.0 46.1 60.9 77.7

Rural 13.1 9.0 12.5 19.1 21.2 31.5 41.8 59.5 76.6

Urban 16.8 9.4 14.8 19.3 23.5 34.9 47.8 61.4 78.0

Central City 17.0 9.5 15.4 19.2 22.0 34.6 46.0 60.1 76.1

Under 

$5,000

5,000-

9,999

10,000-

14,999

15,000-

19,999

20,000-

24,999

25,000-

34,999

35,000-

49,999

50,000-

74,999 75,000+

Figure A9

Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access

By Race/Hispanic Origin, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of U.S. Households

U.S.

Rural

Urban

Central City

U.S. 46.1 23.5 56.8 23.6

Rural 40.9 19.9 62.1 19.9

Urban 48.3 24.0 56.6 23.9

Central City 47.1 20.1 53.0 21.5

White Black Asian Amer. & Pac. Isl. Hispanic 

Figure A10
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 99

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access

By Income, By Race/Hispanic Origin

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey 

supplement. Percent of U.S. Households

White

Black

Asian Amer. & Pac. Isl.

Hispanic 

White 16.0 31.0 56.7 78.6

Black 6.4 17.9 38.7 70.9

Asian Amer. & Pac. Isl. 33.2 43.8 60.7 81.6

Hispanic 5.2 17.7 41.5 63.7

Under $15,000 15,000-34,999 35,000-74,999 75,000+

Figure A11

Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access

By Education, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of U.S. Households

U.S.

Rural

Urban

Central City

U.S. 7.2 14.8 29.9 49.0 66.0

Rural 6.1 16.5 31.0 50.0 67.7

Urban 7.6 14.2 29.5 48.7 65.7

Central City 8.4 11.9 25.7 43.6 62.3

Elementary Some H.S. H.S. Diploma or 

GED Some College B.A. or more

Figure A12
Page 100 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access

By Household Type, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of U.S. Households

U.S.

Rural

Urban

Central City

U.S. 60.6 35.7 30.0 43.2 28.1

Rural 58.3 30.3 31.2 37.7 20.2

Urban 61.5 37.4 29.7 45.5 29.9

Central City 55.1 35.3 22.8 41.0 30.8

Married couple w/ 

child <18

Male household w/ 

child <18

Female household 

w/ child <18

Family households 

w/o child

Non-family 

households

Figure A13

Percent of U.S. Households with Internet Access

By Age, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of U.S. Households

U.S.

Rural

Urban

Central City

U.S. 35.7 47.5 52.3 51.9 26.0

Rural 29.8 42.5 50.9 49.6 24.6

Urban 36.9 48.7 52.7 52.7 26.5

Central City 35.5 46.4 46.2 45.4 22.2

Under 25 years 24-34 years 34-44 years 45-54 years 55+ years

Figure A14
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 101

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Households with High-Speed Internet Access, 2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of U.S. Households

Dial up

High-speed

Dial up 89.3 37.0

High-speed 10.7 4.4

Internet Households All Households

Figure A15

Percent of U.S. Households with High-Speed Internet Access

By Technology and Age, 2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of U.S. Households w/ High-Speed Internet Access

DSL

Cable modem

DSL 50.1 32.4 31.8 32.7 34.6

Cable modem 42.7 50.8 52.7 53.6 46.2

Under 25 24-34 35-44 45-54 55+

Figure A16
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National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Households with High-Speed Internet Access

By Region, 2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census Current 

Population Survey supplement. Percent of U.S. Households w/ Internet Access

Dial-up

High-speed

Dial-up 89.0 90.8 89.3 88.1

High-speed 11.0 9.2 10.7 11.9

Northeast Midwest South West

Figure A17

Percent of U.S. Households with High-Speed Internet Access

By Income, 2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census Current 

Population Survey supplement. Percent of U.S. Households w/ Internet Access

Dial-up

High-speed

Dial-up 92.3 92.7 92.3 90.1 91.2 89.7 86.2

High-speed 7.7 7.3 7.7 9.9 8.8 10.3 13.8

Under 

$15,000

$15,000-

19,999

$20,000-

24,999

$25,000-

34,999

$35,000-

49,999

$50,000-

74,999

$75,000 and 

over

Figure A18
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 103

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Households with High-Speed Internet Access

By Education, 2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census Current 

Population Survey supplement. Percent of U.S. Households w/ Internet Access

Dial-up

High-speed

Dial-up 91.2 91.2 91.3 90.1 87.5

High-speed 8.9 8.9 8.7 9.9 12.5

Elementary Some H.S. H.S. diploma Some college College degree or 

more

Figure A19

Percent of U.S. Households with High-Speed Internet Access

By Age, 2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census Current 

Population Survey supplement. Percent of U.S. Households w/ Internet Access

Dial-up

High-speed

Dial-up 87.8 88.5 89.3 88.8 91.0

High-speed 12.2 11.5 10.7 11.2 9.0

Under 25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+

Figure A20
Page 104 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Households with High-Speed Internet Access

By Race / Hispanic Origin, 2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census Current 

Population Survey supplement. Percent of U.S. Households w/ Internet Access

Dial-up

High-speed

Dial-up 89.2 90.2 91.1

High-speed 10.8 9.8 8.9

White Black Hispanic

Figure A21

Percent of U.S. Households with High-Speed Internet Access

By Type of Household, 2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census Current 

Population Survey supplement. Percent of U.S. Households w/ Internet Access

Dial-up

High-speed

Dial-up 89.4 87.4 91.8 89.4

High-speed 10.6 12.6 8.2 10.6

Married with children Male with children Female with children Family without children

Figure A22
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 105

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet

By Location

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population 

Survey supplement.

Percent

35.7 19.4 44.4 55.7

At home Outside home Any Location No Internet use

Figure A23

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet

By Income, By Location

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent

At home

Outside home

Any Location

At home 13.1 8.4 11.9 15.1 17.8 25.9 36.3 48.3 62.8

Outside home 14.1 9.2 11.2 11.4 12.8 15.5 19.3 23.7 31.1

Any Location 22.3 15.5 20.0 23.3 27.2 35.7 46.5 57.7 70.1

Under 

$5,000

5,000-

9,999

10,000-

14,999

15,000-

19,999

20,000-

24,999

25,000-

34,999

35,000-

49,999

50,000-

74,999 75,000+

Figure A24
Page 106 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet

By Race/Hispanic Origin, By Location

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent

At home

Outside home

Any Location

At home 41.7 18.9 41.9 16.1

Outside home 21.2 15.6 22.8 11.6

Any Location 50.3 29.3 49.4 23.7

White Black Asian Amer. & Pac. Isl. Hispanic 

Figure A25

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet At Home

By Race/Hispanic Origin, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas

2000

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent 

U.S.

Rural

Urban

Central City

U.S. 41.7 18.9 41.9 16.1

Rural 36.6 14.9 41.5 15.0

Urban 44.1 19.5 41.9 16.2

Central City 43.5 16.2 40.4 13.9

White Black Asian Amer. & Pac. Isl. Hispanic 

Figure A26
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 107

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home

By Race/Hispanic Origin, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas

2000

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent

U.S.

Rural

Urban

Central City

U.S. 21.2 15.6 22.8 11.6

Rural 17.5 12.4 18.4 11.0

Urban 23.0 16.0 23.0 11.7

Central City 24.8 14.6 23.1 11.2

White Black Asian Amer. & Pac. Isl. Hispanic 

Figure A27

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet

By Education, By Location

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent

At home

Outside home

Any Location

At home 4.7 26.2 26.0 46.5 62.4

Outside home 2.5 13.3 11.8 24.3 41.3

Any Location 6.5 33.6 33.3 57.6 75.0

Elementary Some H.S. H.S. Diploma or 

GED Some College B.A. or more

Figure A28
Page 108 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet

By Household Type, By Location

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent

At home

Outside home

Any Location

At home 43.3 25.0 20.9 34.8 29.2

Outside home 19.0 15.7 17.6 17.0 26.7

Any Location 50.6 34.5 32.9 41.4 42.7

Married couple w/ 

child <18

Male household 

w/ child <18

Female household 

w/ child <18

Family 

households w/o 

child

Non-family 

households

Figure A29

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet

By Age, By Location

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the 

Census Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent

At home

Outside home

Any Location

At home 33.8 43.9 45.5 43.8 20.2

Outside home 18.7 28.9 24.8 23.4 7.2

Any Location 44.0 56.5 55.0 52.0 23.5

Under 25 years 24-34 years 34-44 years 45-54 years 55+ years

Figure A30
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 109

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet

By Gender, By Location

2000

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent

At home

Outside home

Any Location

At home 36.5 35.0

Outside home 20.1 18.7

Any Location 44.6 44.2

Male Female

Figure A31

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home

By Selected Places, By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of Outside the Home Users

U.S.

Rural

Urban

Central City

U.S. 62.7 18.9 8.3 9.6 0.5 13.8

Rural 55.2 25.5 6.9 8.7 0.3 16.3

Urban 64.8 17.0 8.7 9.9 0.6 13.1

Central City 64.0 16.0 10.2 11.0 0.7 14.0

At Work At School:K-12 At Other School At Public 

Library

Community 

Center

Someone else's 

computer

Figure A32
Page 110 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home

By Income, By Selected Places

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of Outside the Home Users

At Work

At School:K-12

At Other School

At Public Library

Someone else's pc

At Work 19.5 22.1 23.9 31.8 39.5 51.5 63.0 70.2 76.9

At School:K-12 27.8 30.3 27.7 29.8 27.6 23.9 19.0 16.9 13.9

At Other School 27.4 23.1 16.8 12.0 12.1 8.8 6.5 5.7 6.7

At Public Library 16.5 21.8 23.2 18.2 13.3 13.1 10.0 7.7 5.4

Someone else's pc 27.2 30.8 29.0 29.3 28.5 21.4 16.6 10.5 6.1

Under 

$5,000

5,000-

9,999

10,000-

14,999

15,000-

19,999

20,000-

24,999

25,000-

34,999

35,000-

49,999

50,000-

74,999 75,000+

Figure A33

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home

By Race/Hispanic Origin, By Selected Places

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of Outside the Home Users

At Work

At School:K-12

At Other School

At Public Library

Someone else's pc

At Work 65.8 51.1 63.4 45.9

At School:K-12 16.9 26.3 16.5 31.5

At Other School 7.2 11.1 14.7 11.3

At Public Library 8.2 17.9 9.5 13.6

Someone else's pc 13.6 14.4 10.5 16.8

White Black Asian Amer. & Pac. 

Isl. Hispanic 

Figure A34
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 111

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home at Schools

(K-12) By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas

By Race/Hispanic Origin, 2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey 

supplement. Percent of Outside the Home Users

U.S.

Rural

Urban

Central City

U.S. 16.9 26.3 16.5 31.5

Rural 23.7 48.9 15.5 49.3

Urban 14.5 23.9 16.5 29.8

Central City 12.2 22.0 15.3 29.7

White Black Asian Amer. & Pac. Isl. Hispanic 

Figure A35

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home at Work

By U.S., Rural, Urban, and Central City Areas

By Race/Hispanic Origin, 2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population Survey 

supplement. Percent of Outside the Home Users

U.S.

Rural

Urban

Central City

U.S. 65.8 51.1 63.4 45.9

Rural 57.0 35.3 58.1 35.2

Urban 68.9 52.7 63.6 47.0

Central City 70.8 49.8 64.3 45.2

White Black Asian Amer. & Pac. Isl. Hispanic 

Figure A36
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National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home

By Education, By Selected Places

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of Outside the Home Users

At Work

At School:K-12

At Other School

At Public Library

Someone else's pc

At Work 25.7 12.9 62.7 67.4 87.8

At School:K-12 39.7 61.3 7.9 6.4 4.5

At Other School 10.6 7.5 7.4 16.3 4.8

At Public Library 17.6 17.9 10.0 8.6 5.9

Someone else's pc 27.5 26.2 23.0 14.6 5.6

Elementary Some H.S. H.S. Diploma or 

GED Some College B.A. or more

Figure A37

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home

By Household Type, By Selected Places

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of Outside the Home Users

At Work

At School:K-12

At Other School

At Public Library

Someone else's pc

At Work 57.8 40.1 35.2 76.0 73.5

At School:K-12 28.2 32.8 38.9 5.4 4.4

At Other School 6.3 6.6 9.5 10.2 9.4

At Public Library 10.4 9.9 16.1 6.7 8.0

Someone else's pc 11.3 22.4 22.9 10.4 17.0

Married couple 

w/ child <18

Male household 

w/ child <18

Female 

household w/ 

child <18

Family 

households w/o 

child

Non-family 

households

Figure A38
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 113

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home

By Gender, By Selected Places

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of Outside the Home Users

At Work

At School:K-12

At Other School

At Public Library

Someone else's pc

At Work 64.5 60.8

At School:K-12 17.9 20.0

At Other School 7.4 9.2

At Public Library 8.7 10.6

Someone else's pc 13.0 14.6

Male Female

Figure A39

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet Outside the Home

By Selected Places, By Employment Status

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of Outside the Home Users

Employed

Unemployed

Not in labor force

Employed 81.0 7.2 6.5 6.2 10.4

Unemployed 0.0 26.1 21.4 24.8 40.9

Not in labor force 0.0 37.7 24.9 23.8 30.1

At Work At School:K-12 At Other School At Public Library Someone else's 

pc

Figure A40
Page 114 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Reasons for Households with a Computer/WebTV 

Not Using the Internet at Home, By Income

2000

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent

Don't want it

Cost, too

expensive

Can use elsewhere

Don't want it 21.8 25.0 26.1 18.9 30.8 29.8 25.9 28.8 27.5

Cost, too expensive 45.3 32.8 28.7 28.3 23.6 16.5 13.3 10.4 9.4

Can use elsewhere 5.9 5.5 4.2 8.0 4.2 9.5 10.6 10.4 18.5

Under 

$5,000

5,000-

9,999

10,000-

14,999

15,000-

19,999

20,000-

24,999

25,000-

34,999

35,000-

49,999

50,000-

74,999 75,000+

Figure A41

Reasons for Households with a Computer/WebTV 

Not Using the Internet at Home, By Race/Hispanic Origin

2000

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent

Don't want it

Cost, too

expensive

Can use elsewhere

Don't want it 28.9 28.8 26.2 23.1

Cost, too expensive 16.4 18.2 13.0 23.7

Can use elsewhere 10.1 8.4 7.6 7.2

White Black Asian Amer. & Pac. 

Isl. Hispanic 

Figure A42
FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION Page 115

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Reasons for Households with a Computer/WebTV 

Not Using the Internet at Home, By Education

2000

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent

Don't want it

Cost, too expensive

Can use elsewhere

Don't want it 30.2 33.9 30.7 25.2 26.7

Cost, too expensive 22.8 20.4 17.3 20.4 11.6

Can use elsewhere 4.5 3.8 6.2 8.8 17.0

Elementary Some H.S. H.S. Diploma or 

GED Some College B.A. or more

Figure A43

Reasons for Households with a Computer/WebTV 

Not Using the Internet at Home, By Household Type

2000

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent

Don't want it

Cost, too expensive

Can use elsewhere

Don't want it 25.8 32.8 20.8 35.8 25.2

Cost, too expensive 17.6 22.5 29.9 12.6 15.5

Can use elsewhere 7.6 7.2 8.1 8.6 14.9

Married couple w/ 

child <18

Male household 

w/ child <18

Female 

household w/ 

child <18

Family 

households w/o 

child

Non-family 

households

Figure A44
Page 116 FALLING THROUGH THE NET : TOWARD DIGITAL INCLUSION

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Reasons for Households with a Computer/WebTV 

Not Using the Internet at Home, By Age

2000

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census 

Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent

Don't want it

Cost, too

expensive

Can use elsewhere

Don't want it 19.0 23.5 24.1 26.8 36.7

Cost, too expensive 26.1 17.8 19.9 16.2 14.4

Can use elsewhere 13.4 16.0 9.6 10.2 4.7

Under 25 years 24-34 years 34-44 years 45-54 years 55+ years

Figure A45

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet At Home

By Type of Use

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the Census Current Population 

Survey supplement.

Percent of At Home Users

84.8 58.1 46.1 32.7 27.3 33.6 16.4 6.0

E-mail Info search Check news Take 

courses

Do job 

related tasks

Shop, pay 

bills Job search

Games / 

entertainmen

t

Figure A46
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National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet At Home

By Income, By Type of Use

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of 

the Census Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of At Home Users

E-mail

Info search

Take courses

Do job related tasks

Job search

E-mail 90.5 87.4 86.8 83.6 82.0 83.7 83.7 84.6 85.5

Info search 58.8 58.7 58.3 57.7 53.3 56.8 55.8 58.2 61.1

Take courses 51.4 43.9 35.6 37.7 30.2 31.0 32.4 32.9 32.2

Do job related tasks 21.0 15.2 17.2 20.2 17.6 22.5 22.9 27.5 33.8

Job search 26.5 23.6 23.7 20.4 19.5 19.5 17.8 16.0 14.7

Under 

$5,000

5,000-

9,999

10,000-

14,999

15,000-

19,999

20,000-

24,999

25,000-

34,999

35,000-

49,999

50,000-

74,999 75,000+

Figure A47

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet At Home

By Race/Hispanic Origin, By Type of Use

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of 

the Census Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of At Home Users

E-mail

Info search

Take courses

Do job related tasks

Job search

E-mail 85.9 77.1 85.2 76.7

Info search 58.5 56.8 58.1 53.8

Take courses 31.0 40.6 38.4 43.1

Do job related tasks 27.5 27.9 28.1 23.3

Job search 15.1 24.8 23.0 19.6

White Black Asian Amer. & 

Pac. Isl. Hispanic 

Figure A48
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National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet At Home

By Education, By Type of Use

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of 

the Census Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of At Home Users

E-mail

Info search

Take courses

Do job related tasks

Job search

E-mail 80.1 84.2 84.7 87.6 90.1

Info search 36.4 45.5 53.5 63.1 72.6

Take courses 38.3 59.7 17.8 28.7 24.0

Do job related tasks 5.8 6.8 19.6 28.0 48.2

Job search 8.9 8.7 15.4 19.9 22.7

Elementary Some H.S. H.S. Diploma 

or GED Some College B.A. or more

`

Figure A49

Percent of U.S. Persons Using the Internet At Home

By Type of Use, By Employment Status

2000

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Source: NTIA and ESA, U.S. Department of Commerce, using August 2000 U.S. Bureau of the 

Census Current Population Survey supplement.

Percent of At Home Users

Employed

Unemployed

Not in labor force

Employed 87.1 64.5 25.8 38.7 20.1

Unemployed 88.0 63.5 39.1 26.2 55.9

Not in labor force 88.8 56.2 33.3 7.0 10.1

E-mail Info search Take courses Do job related 

tasks Job search

Figure A50
APPENDIX TABLE 1-Reasons for discontinuing home Internet use, by selected characteristics

of reference person, Total, Urban, Rural, Central City, 2000

(Numbers in Thousands) Total USA

 CAN USE COST, TOO NOT ENOUGH TIME N TOTAL ----ELSEWHERE----- ----EXPENSIVE----- ----TO USE IT----- ----NOT USEFUL---- -----F HHLDS No. % No. % No. % No. % No. All Households 3,953 504 12.76 487 12.33 395 10.01 166 4.20 60 FAMILY INCOME Under $5,000 74 16 22.18 19 25.09 3 3.96 4 5.29 0 5,000-9,999 183 7 3.81 22 12.05 17 9.47 6 3.14 0 10,000-14,999 211 18 8.54 29 13.50 12 5.85 4 1.71 8 15,000-19,999 192 26 13.66 30 15.59 12 6.29 10 5.38 3 20,000-24,999 269 25 9.44 49 18.41 11 4.12 14 5.24 2 25,000-34,999 600 62 10.28 55 9.14 72 12.07 29 4.75 9 35,000-49,999 636 60 9.44 80 12.59 66 10.34 21 3.29 12 50,000-74,999 697 105 15.10 69 9.89 98 14.05 50 7.12 6 75,000+ 612 137 22.42 46 7.52 63 10.32 19 3.10 6 Not reported 480 47 9.89 89 18.55 41 8.45 10 2.15 14 AGE Under 25 years 479 66 13.71 53 11.11 22 4.50 16 3.40 0 25-34 years 1,102 189 17.15 124 11.28 140 12.70 29 2.60 15 35-44 years 1,117 125 11.14 156 13.99 126 11.25 48 4.32 8 45-54 years 696 70 10.09 96 13.74 39 5.56 34 4.93 8 55+ years 559 55 9.87 58 10.35 70 12.45 38 6.87 29 RACE White Not Hispanic 3,156 400 12.66 379 12.02 309 9.79 140 4.43 51 Black Not Hispanic 347 36 10.35 55 15.80 35 9.96 17 4.91 6 AIEA Not Hispanic 26 0 1.67 10 38.32 3 12.93 0 0.00 0 API Not Hispanic 121 12 9.64 12 9.58 16 12.97 3 2.49 0 Hispanic 303 57 18.76 32 10.44 33 10.86 6 2.02 4 GENDER Male 2,142 259 12.09 275 12.86 246 11.47 93 4.36 41 Female 1,811 246 13.56 212 11.70 150 8.28 73 4.01 19 EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT Elementary: 0-8 years 56 3 5.47 8 14.66 3 5.23 0 0.00 3 Some H.S.: no diploma 222 19 8.61 40 17.88 14 6.38 10 4.70 4 H.S. Diploma/GED 1,250 91 7.25 210 16.79 141 11.29 57 4.57 22 Some College 1,242 114 9.14 131 10.55 157 12.64 47 3.75 11 Bachelors degree or more 1,183 278 23.51 98 8.32 80 6.79 52 4.37 20 HOUSEHOLD TYPE Mar Couple w/Child<18 1,180 103 8.70 197 16.67 173 14.67 51 4.32 19 Male Hhldr w/Child<18 101 11 10.56 13 13.29 6 6.24 2 2.01 7 Female Hhldr w/Child<18 506 34 6.72 77 15.18 41 8.18 17 3.41 4 Family Hhld w/o Child<18 784 113 14.48 79 10.05 83 10.57 20 2.58 19 Non-family Households 1,382 244 17.62 122 8.79 92 6.65 75 5.46 11 EMPLOYMENT Employed 3,194 433 13.56 372 11.65 352 11.02 110 3.45 34 
APPENDIX TABLE 1-Reasons for discontinuing home Internet use, by selected characteristics

of reference person, Total, Urban, Rural, Central City, 2000

(Numbers in Thousands) Total USA

 CONCERN WITH DON'T NO LONGER COMPUTER  ---CHILDREN----- -----WANT IT------ --OWNS COMPUTER--- ----MOVED--- -REQUIRES REPAIR-- -CA No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % NAll Households 89 2.26 406 10.26 671 16.96 243 6.14 383 9.70 4FAMILY INCOME Under $5,000 0 0.00 3 3.60 17 23.36 8 10.65 4 4.78 5,000-9,999 2 1.17 11 6.08 61 33.30 21 11.70 14 7.82 10,000-14,999 3 1.18 21 10.06 57 26.83 26 12.11 24 11.41 15,000-19,999 6 3.00 7 3.81 36 18.59 15 7.62 27 14.11 20,000-24,999 9 3.21 16 5.96 71 26.49 17 6.22 33 12.22 25,000-34,999 19 3.14 56 9.41 94 15.69 33 5.55 72 12.07 35,000-49,999 14 2.25 70 11.02 132 20.83 27 4.28 73 11.52 50,000-74,999 16 2.28 70 10.06 110 15.82 55 7.86 40 5.75 75,000+ 19 3.12 64 10.41 60 9.83 32 5.31 73 11.93 Not reported 2 0.45 87 18.11 32 6.68 9 1.86 23 4.76 AGE Under 25 years 2 0.44 35 7.34 104 21.70 74 15.38 56 11.76 25-34 years 9 0.81 81 7.34 233 21.18 68 6.18 73 6.62 35-44 years 52 4.68 109 9.76 145 12.97 57 5.08 112 9.99 45-54 years 17 2.39 100 14.39 108 15.44 28 4.06 106 15.23 55+ years 9 1.69 80 14.38 81 14.48 16 2.88 36 6.52 RACE White Not Hispanic 64 2.03 332 10.53 564 17.89 193 6.10 286 9.08 Black Not Hispanic 1 0.15 33 9.56 54 15.55 13 3.88 42 12.02 AIEA Not Hispanic 2 8.20 0 0.00 1 4.21 4 15.48 0 0.00 API Not Hispanic 2 1.74 19 15.89 7 6.13 14 11.61 19 15.33 Hispanic 20 6.72 21 6.89 44 14.40 19 6.18 37 12.09 GENDER Male 36 1.67 224 10.47 291 13.58 151 7.04 191 8.91 Female 54 2.95 181 10.01 380 20.97 92 5.08 193 10.63 EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT Elementary: 0-8 years 3 4.85 2 4.04 16 28.48 3 4.64 4 6.99 Some H.S.: no diploma 7 2.95 25 11.36 45 20.42 6 2.77 29 12.92 H.S. Diploma/GED 36 2.86 144 11.51 202 16.14 61 4.85 128 10.24 Some College 30 2.40 117 9.41 219 17.65 86 6.95 143 11.50 Bachelors degree or mo 14re 1.22 117 9.91 188 15.92 87 7.36 80 6.76 HOUSEHOLD TYPE Mar Couple w/Child<18 44 3.70 118 9.98 98 8.34 48 4.06 165 13.99 Male Hhldr w/Child<18 0 0.00 11 11.06 25 24.87 4 3.81 16 15.95 Female Hhldr w/Child<1 298 5.79 39 7.77 117 23.06 25 5.03 61 12.10 Family Hhld w/o Child< 1418 1.75 95 12.09 103 13.16 47 6.05 77 9.78 Non-family Households 3 0.20 143 10.32 327 23.68 118 8.56 64 4.66 EMPLOYMENT Employed 68 2.13 322 10.09 538 16.84 217 6.80 306 9.57 
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National Telecommunications and Information Administration Economics and Statistics Administration