Internet use tripled from 1997 to 2007 says Census

CHICAGO (6/19/09)--Credit unions might want to make more use of online delivery channels for their members, if the use of the Internet among the general population is any indication. Household Internet use has tripled in the decade between 1997 and 2007, reports the U.S. Census Bureau.

In 2007, about 62% of households used the Internet. That's an 18% increase from 1997--the first year the Census Bureau began noting the population's Internet habits. Sixty-four percent of survey respondents age 18 and older accessed the Internet from any location in 2007. That compares with 22% the decade before.

Of households accessing the Internet in the most recent survey, 82% did so with a high-speed connection, while 17% had dial-up connections.

In 2007, households in Alaska and New Hampshire had the highest rates of Internet use from any location, such as work, home or public access, for residents aged three and older. Mississippi and West Virginia had among the lowest rates of Internet use--52%.

Education played a role in how much the population accessed the Internet. Eighty-seven percent of individuals aged 25 and older and who had earned a bachelor's degree accessed the Internet from any location in the most recent study. That compares with 74% of those with "some college," 49% of those with a high school diploma, and 19% of those without a high school diploma.

As for race and origin, 69% of whites use the Internet, compared with 51% of blacks, 73% of Asians, and 48% of Hispanics.

It is no surprise that younger people were more likely to have online access--73% of 18- to 34-year-olds access the Internet. That figure is more than double the 35% of consumers aged 65 and older online. Of children age 3 to 17, roughly 56% used the Internet.

courtesy of cuna.org