Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Internet Usage in the U.S., Current Population Survey, Oct. 2009.
Utah boasts the top household Internet usage by individuals over age three in the Rocky Mountain West and the third best in the nation at 83.1 percent, according to a new Census Bureau study.
The report commissioned by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration finds increasing Internet home access over previous surveys. However, there are some troubling service gaps.
Broadband access is less than 50 percent in black and Hispanic households with Internet service. It’s a likely explanation for New Mexico’s low access rates — ranking last in the region and fourth worst in the nation.
At 65 percent household usage, the Land of Enchantment hovers just above traditionally impoverished Deep South states Arkansas and South Carolina (tied at 63.4 percent), Alabama (61.7) and Mississippi (56.6).
Rounding out the Intermountain West: Idaho placed 13th best in the nation, Colorado and Wyoming tied for 18th and Montana came in at 32nd.
