Rural Areas And The Internet

Internet penetration has grown in rural communities, but the gap between them and suburban and urban communities has remained constant over time.

1 minute read

February 19, 2004, 11:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


There has been steady penetration of the Internet into rural areas in recent years and more than half of ruraladults -- 52% -- now go online. However, a corresponding rise in thepercentage of urban and suburban residents going online has left apersistent gap between rural areas and the rest of the country. Some 67% ofurban residents and 66% of suburbanites are online. A new study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project finds that the gapis probably tied to the fact that rural residents as a group earn less andare older than their urban and suburban counterparts.

Thanks to Chris Steins

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 in Pew Partnership

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