Description of Indicator
This indicator provides the percentage of households that have some type of internet access either through an at-home subscription or a smartphone. Internet speeds are not part of the measurement. This indicator also examines the percentage of households that have an income of less than $20,000.
Why is it Important?
This measure aids in the evaluation of internet infrastructure for the region and state. Additionally, it provides insights into internet disparities.
How is the Region Doing?
Lackawanna County has experienced a steady increase (11.9 percent) in the percentage of households with less than $20,000 with any internet subscription from 2017 to 2022. Similarly, households with income less than $20,000 have also been increasing. The number of households with a smartphone has also increased from 2017 to 2022 by 20.9 percent.
Luzerne County saw an increase in the percentage of households with any internet subscription. From 2017 to 2022, the percentage of households with a smartphone has increased by 20.5 percent.
Wayne County, similar to the other counties, saw an increase in the number of households with any internet subscription by 8.4 percent from 2017 to 2022. The percentage of smartphones increased from 2017 to 2022 by 18.8 percent.