Who has broadband access and who is part of the digital divide?
The extent to which we live in a digital world where connectivity defines opportunity has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Broadband internet access seems to be more of a necessity than an optional service these days. There are still places throughout the country where households lack broadband internet access. This visualization highlights the percentage of households with broadband internet—a key to education, remote work, and modern civic engagement.
At the top of the rankings are states like Colorado, California, and Washington which all have access rates of over 94%. Other strong showing of states like Utah and New Jersey further demonstrates the role of regional initiatives and policy in bridging the digital divide.
In contrast, pockets of the map shaded in warmer tones, primarily in rural regions, remind us of the persistent gaps in access. States with fewer than 90% of households connected, concentrated in the Midwest and South, face challenges related to geography and affordability. These disparities highlight the digital divide that often mirrors broader socioeconomic differences.
Going forward.
Yet, the story is not all about division. The consistent upward trend in broadband access across the country speaks to a national push for connectivity as a public good. With federal funding initiatives and state-level programs aiming to bring broadband to every corner, the future may hold a more unified map as broadband access becomes more universal.
Explore state-level data in greater detail with the Overflow Data State Data Explorer.This tools allow you to uncover insights on a variety of topics and identify key trends. You are also able to see who has fixed-broadband access in their homes for a number of different characteristics in a number of other visualizations we have if you want to learn more.
Data Notes
This visualization was built using Python and Tableau. To explore more of my work, check out my Tableau Public profile or learn more about the 2023 American Community Survey at the Census Bureau’s website.
