Mapping the Divide
Where United States Lacks Computers and Why It Matters
The digital divide in the United States is substantial, with 1 in 7 households either lacking access to any type of computing device or relying solely on a smartphone for their internet connectivity. Nationally, there are more than 18 million households without large screen computers, equivalent to 13.75% of U.S. households. In total, this affects over 33.2 million people.
For the purpose of calculating the number of households without large screen computers in each state, Digitunity has analyzed aggregated data from the 2023 American Community Survey. The first map shows state level data on the number of households without any type of computer and those that rely on a smartphone for accessing the internet. Collectively, these statistics make up the number of households without access to large-screen computers. Users can hover over each state to view these key statistics.
Number of households without large screen computers in the United States
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey, Table S2801, “Types of Computers and Internet Subscriptions”
The second map shows the percentage of households in each state without access to any type of computing device and those reliant solely on mobile-only internet connectivity. Digitunity calculates the percentage of households without large screen computers by combining two data points from the American Community Survey: “Smartphone with no other type of computing device” and “No Computer” Households. Darker blues on the map indicate a higher percentage of households without large screen computers, while lighter hues of blue indicate a lower proportion of households experiencing the digital divide in the state.
The data reveals significant differences between states in the proportion of households without large screen computers. For example, in Mississippi, 1 in 4 households are without a computing device or rely on a smartphone to access the internet, making Mississippi the state with the greatest need for large screen computers in the country.
High rates were seen in West Virginia (22.46%), Louisiana (21.97%), and Arkansas (21.92%). In Alabama, Kentucky, and Oklahoma nearly 1 in 5 households faced similar challenges. The digital divide has been most pronounced in Puerto Rico, with almost 40% of households – or over half a million households, relying solely on smartphones to access the internet.
States with the lowest rates of households without computers or sole reliance on smartphones for internet connectivity include Utah (8.22%), Colorado (8.69%), New Hampshire (9.12%), Washington state (9.21%), and Idaho (9.95%), where fewer than 10% of households did not have a computer or depended on a smartphone for internet access.
To drive targeted interventions for computer ownership where they are needed most, we need to understand the nuances of the national and state digital computer divide. Using this data, we can identify not only where the digital divide exists for computer access and ownership but also how significant it is. More than a snapshot, it’s a source of actionable insights. Our goal is to uncover these disparities to inform the wider field and assist communities, institutions, and policymakers in developing and adopting lasting, systemic solutions.
Percentage of households without large screen computers in the United States
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey, Table S2801, “Types of Computers and Internet Subscriptions”
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