| A Nation Online: US Internet Statistics (Sep 2001) |
| % of population using the internet |
54 |
| % of population using computers |
66 |
| % of 5-17 year olds using computers |
90 |
| % of 14-17 year olds using the internet |
75 |
| % of 10-13 year olds using the internet |
65 |
| % of families with children under 18 using the internet |
62 |
| % of families with no children using the internet |
53 |
| % of non-family households using the internet |
35 |
| Source: US Dept of Commerce, Feb 2002 |
This growth covers all economic and social groups, computer use in schools has helped to narrow the gap in use between children from low and high income families. Between December 1998 and September 2001, internet use amongst the lowest income bracket (those earning less than $15,000 per year) increased by 25% each year. Though the number of people online amongst the higher earnings bracket ($75,000+ per year) remained greater, growth in internet use amongst this group slowed to an annual growth rate of just 11%.
During the same period growth in internet use amongst those living in rural areas achieved an annual growth rate of 24% and internet use in rural areas has now come into line with the national average (53% and 54% respectively). The highest rate of growth in internet use between 1998 and 2001 was amongst single mothers (29%).
Although 80% of Americans continue to use dial-up services in order to access the net, the use of residential broadband services is expanding rapidly. Between August 1998 and September 2001 the use of these services doubled. Broadband is now the preferred means of connection amongst 11% of all individuals and 20% of all net users (up from 5% and 11% respectively).
45% of the American population now uses email, an increase from 35% in 2000. 36% use the internet to search for product and service information, up from 26% in 2000, and 39% of all internet users are now making purchases online. 35% of the population searches for health information online.
The report concluded that increased internet use at work has boosted internet use in the home. Computer ownership at home amongst those who use a PC at work is around 77% of the population compared to around 35% of those who do not use a computer at work.
