JUNE 18, 2024 — Most U.S. households had at least one type of computer (95%) and had a broadband internet subscription (90%) in 2021, an increase from 2018 (92% and 85%, respectively). This is according to a new report released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. The report, Computer and Internet Use in the United States: 2021, examines trends in computer use and internet access at the national, state and county levels based on statistics from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS).

Other report highlights: 

• Smartphones were the most common computing device in U.S. households (90%), followed by desktop or laptop computers (81%) and tablets (64%) in 2021.
• Urban households (96%) were more likely than rural ones (93%) to own computers; they were also more likely to have a broadband internet subscription (91% vs. 87%, respectively).
• Only 66 counties had low rates (below 60%) of broadband subscription in 2017-2021, compared to 291 in 2014-2018.
• “Smartphone-only” households (which accessed the internet only through mobile broadband) were more likely to make $25,000 or less annually, be headed by someone 65 years and over or to have a Black or Hispanic householder.
• Compared to the 90% national average, 84% of households in tribal areas had broadband internet.

Data in this report are subject to sampling and nonsampling error. Comparisons of estimates take sampling error into account and are significant at the 90% confidence level, unless otherwise noted. Because of rounding, some details may not sum to totals. For information on sampling and estimation methods, confidentiality protection and sampling/nonsampling errors, refer to the Accuracy of the Data documents for 2021.

No news release associated with this report. Tip sheet only.

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