Reference data
Public Wi-Fi and digital access statistics
Eleven national figures that help municipal teams understand the practical access gaps public Wi-Fi can help address.
Municipal public Wi-Fi is not a substitute for home broadband. It is one practical part of a wider public-access plan, especially in the libraries, parks, downtowns, community centers, transit locations, and public facilities residents use every day. The figures below help frame that work with a shared national baseline.
83%
of people age 3 and older used the internet in 2023.
National internet use rose from 80% in 2021 to 83% in 2023, the largest increase reported since the 2015 to 2017 period.
Source: NTIA Internet Use Survey, 2023Link to this statistic13 million
more people used the internet in 2023 than in 2021.
The gain shows meaningful progress, while also making the remaining gaps more visible for communities responsible for public access.
Source: NTIA Internet Use Survey, 2023Link to this statistic72%
lived in households with both fixed and mobile internet connections.
That was up from 69% in 2021, but it also means many people still lacked the flexibility of both connection types.
Source: NTIA Internet Use Survey, 2023Link to this statistic12%
lived in households without any internet connection.
The national figure improved from 14% in 2021, but represents people whose everyday access still depends on places and services outside the home.
Source: NTIA Internet Use Survey, 2023Link to this statistic73%
of people in households earning under $25,000 used the internet in 2023.
Use in this income group rose from 69% in 2021, while remaining below the national rate.
Source: NTIA Internet Use Survey, 2023Link to this statistic26 points
separated higher- and lower-income households with both fixed and mobile connections.
The figure was 80% for people in households earning $100,000 or more, compared with 54% for people in households earning under $25,000.
Source: NTIA Internet Use Survey, 2023Link to this statistic25%
of Hispanic people were smartphone-only internet users in 2023.
The same measure was 22% for American Indians and Alaska Natives, 16% for Black people, and 12% for White non-Hispanic and Asian people.
Source: NTIA Internet Use Survey, 2023Link to this statistic54%
of Hispanic people used a desktop, laptop, or tablet in 2023.
The comparable figure was 57% for American Indians and Alaska Natives, 62% for Black people, 71% for Asian people, and 72% for White non-Hispanic people.
Source: NTIA Internet Use Survey, 2023Link to this statistic91.0%
of U.S. households had a broadband internet subscription in the 2020–2024 ACS.
The Census Bureau’s latest five-year estimate includes cellular, cable, fiber, DSL, satellite, and other broadband subscriptions.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2020–2024Link to this statistic8.9%
of U.S. households had no internet subscription in the 2020–2024 ACS.
This household-level measure includes places where residents may still rely on public facilities, mobile service, or another outside connection.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2020–2024Link to this statistic11.5%
of U.S. households relied on a cellular data plan with no other internet subscription in the 2020–2024 ACS.
A mobile connection can be essential, but it does not always provide the same flexibility as a fixed connection for every resident need.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2020–2024Link to this statisticUse the numbers with the local picture.
National data gives a starting point. The most useful municipal plan pairs it with local resident needs, priority locations, and a clear operating responsibility for the service.
Explore municipal Wi-Fi planningMethodology and sources
How to read this page
This page combines the latest available national findings from two federal sources. Internet-use figures refer to people age 3 and older in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's 2023 Internet Use Survey. Household-subscription figures refer to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2020–2024 American Community Survey estimates.
- National Telecommunications and Information Administration, “New NTIA Data Show 13 Million More Internet Users in the U.S. in 2023 Than 2021,” April 2024, reporting 2023 results.
- U.S. Census Bureau, “Types of Computers and Internet Subscriptions,” American Community Survey 2020–2024 five-year estimates, released December 2025.
Cite this page
Anaptyx CivicConnect™. “Public Wi-Fi and Digital Access Statistics.” Updated October 19, 2026. https://anaptyxcivicconnect.com/public-wifi-statistics
Each figure has a direct link beneath its source, making it easy to reference the exact statistic.