Internet Access, by race
Although internet access improved from 2013 to 2019, more than 1 in 5 American Indians and 1 in 6 Black Americans lacked internet in 2019.
Lack of internet by race/ethnicity, U.S.
Percent of individuals without a computer, or without internet subscription
In 2013, 39% of all American Indians, 33% of Black people, 29% of Hispanic people, and 25% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders in the U.S. lacked broadband internet access, compared to 18% of white people. By 2019, internet access had spread, but disparities remained such that 22% of American Indians, 16% of Black people, 13% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders, and 12% of Hispanic people in the U.S. lacked broadband internet access, compared to 9% of white people.
Broadband internet access has become an essential utility for every American family, even more so during the pandemic with work and school going remote, along with the need for essential information on how to deal with the virus. But even before the pandemic broadband internet was important for school-age children to support homework and education. In 2018, a majority of eighth graders reported using the internet to do homework but this was most common among suburban students (65%) and least common among rural students (44%).1
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 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
“As schools close due to the coronavirus, some U.S. students face a digital ‘homework gap’”. Auxier, Anderson. Pew Research Center. March, 2020. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/03/16/as-schools-close-due-to-the-coronavirus-some-u-s-students-face-a-digital-homework-gap/
“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
