Internet Access
31% of Southern counties have poor internet access (defined as one-quarter of households without internet) compared to only 9% of counties outside the South.
Lack of internet access by county, 2016-20
Percent of households without internet access
Source: Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 2016-20. Note: Internet access is defined as any form of internet subscription, including cellular data plans only, as well as having internet access with no subscription.
Broadband internet access has become an essential utility for every American family. Yet, according to new data, 31% of Southern counties have poor internet access (25% or more of households lack internet) compared to 9% of non-Southern counties. Looking at rural America, 24% of rural counties have poor internet access compared to only 5% of non-rural counties.
In Mississippi, 21% of households lacked internet access entirely and in Arkansas, Louisiana, and West Virginia, 18% of households lacked internet access. In fact, eight of the ten states with the worst internet access are in the South.
During the pandemic, Congress approved funding for subsidies for devices and broadband service but the funding was limited and only served roughly 6 million households.1 The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will send $42.45 billion directly to states to collaboratively plan and execute broadband expansion in partnership with local and regional communities.2 The goal will be to bring reliable, affordable high-speed internet to all residents and will require broadband providers that receive funding to offer at least one affordable service plan.3
“Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Enrollments and Claims Tracker”. Universal Service Administrative Co. https://www.usac.org/about/emergency-broadband-benefit-program/emergency-broadband-benefit-program-enrollments-and-claims-tracker/
“Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Implementation”. Federal Register. January, 2022. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/01/10/2022-00221/infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act-implementation
“Fact Sheet: Department of Commerce’s Use of Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal Funding to Help Close the Digital Divide”. U.S. Department of Commerce. November, 2021. https://www.commerce.gov/news/fact-sheets/2021/11/fact-sheet-department-commerces-use-bipartisan-infrastructure-deal-funding