Internet Access, by state
Six of the 7 states with the worst internet access are in the South. In Mississippi, 1 in 7 people lack broadband internet or a computer.
Lack of broadband internet by state, 2021
Percent of individuals without a computer, or without internet subscription
Southern states have less broadband internet access as a whole than the nation. Nearly 1 in 10 Southerners lacks broadband or a computer, including 1 in 7 Mississippians. This is particularly concerning for families with school-age children who increasingly need computers and broadband access to complete homework assignments. 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
In 2019, 6% of children had internet access only through a smartphone, which is cumbersome for writing documents and completing many homework assignments. Having internet access only through a smartphone was more common among families with lower incomes and differed by race. Having access only through a smartphone was most common for Pacific Islander (13%), Hispanic and Black (11%), American Indian or Alaska Native children (10%) and less common for white (4%) and Asian children (2%).2
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.3 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.4
“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/
“Children’s Internet Access at Home”. National Center for Education Statistics. May, 2021. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cch/home-internet-access
“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
