U.S. Broadband Adoption Thrives Among African Americans, Slows Overall

According to Pew, broadband growth among all American adults slowed, but grew 22 percent among African-Americans.

Following several consecutive years of double-digit growth, broadband adoption among U.S. adults slowed dramatically in the past year, according to a report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

The report – based on survey responses from 2,200 adults submitted during April and May – found that 66 percent of American adults currently access the Internet via a high-speed home connection. That represents just 5 percent growth compared with the 63 percent that reported doing so in 2009, and a significant slowing in the rate of adoption compared with the 15 percent increase witnessed between 2008 and 2009.

pew1

However, growth in adoption among African-American users far outpaced the national average, and all other demographic groups. The report found that 56 percent of African Americans now use a broadband connection, representing a 22 percent year-over-year increase compared with the 46 percent that reported doing so in 2009.

That data suggests a substantial portion of the three percent national growth could therefore have been driven by adoption by African-American users. Pew suggests the broadband adoption gap between African-Americans and white Americans has almost halved in the past year, now representing an 11 percentage point gap between the two, which stand at 56 percent adoption and 67 percent adoption, respectively.

pewinternet2

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