Internet Access in the South
21% of Southern counties have poor internet access (defined as one-quarter of households without internet) compared to only 6% of counties outside the South.
Lack of internet access by county, 2017-21 (5-yr average), Percent of individuals without internet access
Source: Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 2017-21. 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 has become an essential utility for every American family. Yet, according to new data, 21% of Southern counties have poor internet access (defined as at least 1 in 4 households lacking internet) compared to 6% of non-Southern counties. Across Mississippi, 19% of households lacked internet access and in Arkansas, West Virginia, and Louisiana, 16% of households lacked internet access. Eight of the ten states with the worst internet access are in the South.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is sending $42.45 billion directly to states to collaboratively plan and execute broadband expansion in partnership with local and regional communities.1 Expanding internet access in rural communities is often expensive because residents are scattered across large areas. Municipal and regional utility companies were established and are well positioned to deliver essential services including broadband to underserved communities, but due to lobbying efforts from private telecom companies, many states have passed laws preempting localities from building and operating their own internet infrastructure.2
“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
“How the Federal Government Can Support Cities and Counties Limited by State Preemption Laws: The Case of Municipal Broadband”. Treskon. Urban Institute. July, 2021. https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/how-federal-government-can-support-cities-and-counties-limited-state-preemption-laws-case-municipal-broadband
