Internet Usage Growing Faster In N.C. Than National Average

In terms of overall Internet penetration, 71 percent of North Carolina adults reported using the Internet, compared to 64 percent nationwide in 2004, according to

a report from the e-NC Authority

.

The study found encouraging news for rural areas, which have grown at the fastest rate since a survey in 1999. The household Internet penetration rate increased fastest in 85 counties designated as rural -- from 27 to 51 percent, a 24 percentage point gain. The increase in 60 non-metro counties was 29 percentage points, from 23 to 52 percent.

Elsewhere in Internet use, North Carolinians are signing up for high-speed Internet access slightly faster than the national average. In mid-2002, 19 percent of home Internet users in North Carolina utilized a broadband connection (such as DSL, cable, or ISDN), compared to 22 percent nationwide. By early 2004, 40 percent of North Carolina home Internet users had a broadband connection, compared to 39 percent nationwide, the study said.

The study also looked at computer ownership and found good news. In 1999, there was a 30 percentage point difference in home computer ownership in black and white households (31 versus 61 percent, respectively). By early 2004, the gap had narrowed to 5 percentage points (63 versus 68 percent).

The e-NC Authority, which released the report "North Carolinians Online: Trends from the Citizens Surveys, 1999-2004," works with all 100 of North Carolina's counties with a focus on rural and distressed urban areas.

The e-NC Authority is the group that once was called the Rural Internet Access Authority, which was created by the N.C. General Assembly in 2000. Operating statewide from a base in Raleigh, the e-NC Authority is supported through contributions from public and private entities.