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