Class, Demographics, and Internet Access

The Census has new data on Internet access.  Here are the percentages of people age 15 and over in each category who report connecting to the Internet.   In principle, the Internet should be a great equalizer, providing information access to disadvantaged groups.  In practice, these groups tend to make less use of the Internet:  Hispanics and Blacks less than whites; Spanish-speakers less than English-speakers; poor less than rich (though the lowest quintile reports more than the second and third quintiles); those without college less than those with degrees; disabled people less than people without disabilities.

Total	60.1
Age
.15-24 years	73.0
.25-34 years	68.5
.35-44 years	66.0
.45-64 years	59.8
.65 years and over	31.7
Race and Hispanic origin
White	61.5
Non-Hispanic	65.3
.Black	51.0
.Hispanic (of any race)	41.6
Gender
.Male	60.0
.Female	60.3
Language spoken at home
Speaks English only at home	63.6
Speaks Spanish at home	38.0
Speaks other language at home	57.0
Income*
.Lowest Quintile	61.4
.2nd Quintile	46.9
.3rd Quintile	49.1
.4th Quintile	63.9
.Highest Quintile	77.7
School enrollment status
.18-24 years
..Enrolled in school	80.4
..Not enrolled in school	61.5
25 years and over
.. Enrolled in school	81.3
..Not enrolled in school	56.1
Total 15 years old and over
Educational Attainment
.Less than HS diploma	39.2
GED	44.2
High school diploma	49.0
.Some college or associate degree	66.3
.Bachelor's degree or higher degree	77.7
Disability status
With a disability	41.3
Severe	35.6
Not severe	54.8
No disability	65.1
Difficulty seeing/hearing/speaking
Difficulty seeing	33.6
Severe	25.8
Not severe	36.2
Difficulty hearing	38.3
Severe	29.1
Not severe	39.8
Difficulty with speech	32.2
Severe	21.4
Not severe	34.7
Needed personal assistance with an ADL or IADL**	25.6