Internet Use Taking America by Storm

Internet penetration has reached critical mass in 21 of the top 35 Internet local markets during the month of September. Seven months ago in March, only six Internet local markets had more than 50 percent penetration, according to Nielsen//NetRatings.

Internet penetration has reached critical mass in 21 of the top 35 Internet local markets during the month of September. Seven months ago in March, only six Internet local markets had more than 50 percent penetration, according to Nielsen//NetRatings.

San Francisco is leading the way, with 66 percent of its households accessing the Internet from home with a personal computer. San Francisco was followed by Seattle, San Diego, Portland, and Washington DC. Of the top 20 Internet local markets that were measured in March, New York had the largest percentage gain in September, followed by Philadelphia, Denver, and Houston. Internet penetration across the South and Southwest has also risen, including Atlanta, Dallas, Tampa, Miami, Houston, and Phoenix.

“The Internet boom for cities across the US in the past seven months signals a growth pattern of maturity for the Web. US markets have developed beyond the western high-technology region, and there is less of a digital divide between the West Coast and the rest of the United States,” said Allen Weiner, VP of analytical services at NetRatings. “Low-cost computers and other plug-and-play Internet appliances have contributed to the significant rise in home Internet access for wired cities across the country.”

Household Internet Penetration
September and March 2000
Rank Region Penetration Percentage Percentage
Growth
September 2000 March 2000
1. San Francisco 66 61 7.6%
2. Seattle 64 56 13.9%
3. San Diego 62 58 6.7%
4. Portland 60 54 10.2%
5. Washington DC 59 56 5.2%
6. Boston 59 52 14.1%
7. Denver 57 47 20.5%
8. Kansas City 57 NA
9. Orlando 56 NA
10. Baltimore 55 NA
11. Atlanta 54 NA
12. Salt Lake City 54 NA
13. Dallas 54 48 12.8%
14. Columbus 54 NA
15. St. Louis 53 NA
16. Hartford/
New Haven
53 NA
17. Sacramento 51 NA
18. Indianapolis 51 NA
19. New York 50 41 21.7%
20. Los Angeles 50 44 13.6%
21. Tampa 50 42 19.2%
22. Houston 49 41 20.3%
23. Philadelphia 49 40 21.6%
24. Nashville 49 NA
25. Detroit 48 41 18.4%
26. Raleigh-Durham 48 NA
27. Phoenix 47 43 10.4%
28. Cincinnati 47 NA
29. Chicago 46 42 9.5%
30. Milwaukee 46 NA
31. Minneapolis 45 38 17.0%
32. Pittsburgh 43 NA
33. Cleveland 43 37 17.5%
34. Miami 43 37 15.8%
35. Charlotte 42 NA
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings
NA = Not available; market was not tracked until after March

Subscribe to get your daily business insights

Whitepapers

US Mobile Streaming Behavior
Whitepaper | Mobile

US Mobile Streaming Behavior

5y

US Mobile Streaming Behavior

Streaming has become a staple of US media-viewing habits. Streaming video, however, still comes with a variety of pesky frustrations that viewers are ...

View resource
Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics for Media Groups
Whitepaper | Analyzing Customer Data

Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics for Media Groups

5y

Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics f...

Data is the lifeblood of so many companies today. You need more of it, all of which at higher quality, and all the meanwhile being compliant with data...

View resource
Learning to win the talent war: how digital marketing can develop its people
Whitepaper | Digital Marketing

Learning to win the talent war: how digital marketing can develop its peopl...

2y

Learning to win the talent war: how digital market...

This report documents the findings of a Fireside chat held by ClickZ in the first quarter of 2022. It provides expert insight on how companies can ret...

View resource
Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Experience Economy
Report | Digital Transformation

Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Experience Economy

1m

Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Exp...

Customers decide fast, influenced by only 2.5 touchpoints – globally! Make sure your brand shines in those critical moments. Read More...

View resource