The 1997 data demonstrate that, as a nation, Americans have increasingly embraced the Information Age through electronic access in their homes. Compared to the 1994 survey results, the nationwide telephone penetration has remained unchanged. Despite this significant growth in computer ownership and usage overall, the growth has occurred to a greater extent within some income levels, demographic groups, and geographic areas, than in others. Being located in a rural, urban, or central city setting can make a difference. After accounting for income, there is not a significant difference between rural, urban, and central city areas for computer penetration, although rural areas still have a significantly lower rate for on-line access.
Income greatly affects penetration levels.
The divide among races is even more striking for PC ownership and on-line access. While the ownership of PCs have grown most significantly for minority groups since 1994, Blacks and Hispanics still lag far behind the national average. Household Type - A new finding in the 1997 data is that family structure can also make a significant difference. The data show that, although the telephone penetration rate has not changed, an increasing number of Americans have become connected to the Information Superhighway in the last three years. More Americans have bought PCs and are connecting to on-line services than in 1994.