Modern Politics

Understanding American politics in the digital age through neutral historical analysis.

Internet Access

Percentage of U.S. adults online, with broadband at home, and owning smartphones (2000–2025)

Last updated: 2026-01-08

96% ↑
Internet Users (2025)
Nearly all U.S. adults now report using the internet, up from 52% in 2000
78% →
Home Broadband (2025)
About eight in ten adults subscribe to high-speed internet at home
91% ↑
Smartphone Owners (2025)
Nine in ten adults own a smartphone, up from 35% when first tracked in 2011
3% ↑
Broadband in 2000
Only 3% of adults had broadband at home in 2000, when 34% still used dial-up

Internet Access Over Time

Date Internet Use (%) Home Broadband (%) Smartphone Ownership (%) Source
2000 523— [1]
2001 556— [1]
2002 5911— [1]
2003 6116— [1]
2004 6324— [1]
2005 6833— [1]
2006 7142— [1]
2007 7447— [1]
2008 7455— [1]
2009 7663— [1]
2010 7666— [1]
2011 79—35 [1]
2012 836646 [1]
2013 847056 [2]
2014 84—— [2]
2015 —67— [14]
2016 —7377 [1]
2018 —65— [1]
2019 907381 [3]
2021 937785 [4]
2023 9580— [5]
2025 967891 [6]

Context

Internet adoption among U.S. adults grew from 52% in 2000 to 96% by 2025. The fastest growth occurred between 2000 and 2012, when usage rose by roughly 30 percentage points. Since 2013, adoption has continued climbing more gradually, approaching near-universal levels among working-age adults while gaps persist among those 65 and older and in lower-income households.

Home broadband subscriptions followed a different trajectory, rising steeply from 3% in 2000 to 66% by 2010 as cable and DSL replaced dial-up. Broadband adoption plateaued in the mid-2010s, dipping from 70% in 2013 to 67% in 2015 before recovering to 80% in 2023. The slight decline to 78% in 2025 may reflect increased reliance on smartphone-only internet access among some households, as well as changes in survey methodology.

Smartphone ownership grew rapidly from 35% in 2011 to 91% in 2025. The spread of mobile internet access has narrowed some digital divides by providing connectivity without requiring a fixed broadband subscription. Pew Research Center's shift from phone-only surveys (2000–2021) to mixed-mode surveys incorporating web and mail (2023 onward) may affect direct comparisons across some data points.

Related Pages

StatisticsSocial Media PenetrationStatisticsSmartphone AdoptionPlatformFacebookPlatformYouTubePlatformTwitter / X

Sources

  1. Pew Research Center. Demographics of Internet and Home Broadband Usage in the United States. Accessed 2026-03-03. Internet and broadband fact sheet with historical trend data
  2. Pew Research Center. Americans' Internet Access: Percent of Adults 2000–2015. Accessed 2026-03-03. Historical internet use data for 2000–2015
  3. Pew Research Center. Mobile Technology and Home Broadband 2019. Accessed 2026-03-03. Survey of U.S. adults on broadband and smartphone use, 2019
  4. Pew Research Center. Mobile Technology and Home Broadband 2021. Accessed 2026-03-03. Survey of U.S. adults on broadband and smartphone use, 2021
  5. Pew Research Center. Americans' Use of Mobile Technology and Home Broadband. Accessed 2026-03-03. Survey of 5,733 U.S. adults, May 19–Sep. 5, 2023
  6. Pew Research Center. Internet use, smartphone ownership, digital divides in the US: What we know. Accessed 2026-03-03. Overview of 2025 data on internet use, broadband, and smartphone ownership
  7. Pew Research Center. Broadband vs. Dial-up Adoption Over Time. Accessed 2026-03-03. Historical data on dial-up vs. broadband home connections, 2000–2013
  8. Pew Research Center. Home Broadband Adoption 2005. Accessed 2026-03-03. Reports 30–33% broadband adoption in early 2005
  9. Pew Research Center. Part 1: Broadband Adoption in the United States (2006). Accessed 2026-03-03. Reports 42% broadband adoption in early 2006
  10. Pew Research Center. Home Broadband Adoption 2007. Accessed 2026-03-03. Reports 47% broadband adoption in 2007
  11. Pew Research Center. Home Broadband 2010. Accessed 2026-03-03. Reports broadband adoption trends 2008–2010
  12. Pew Research Center. Digital Differences. Accessed 2026-03-03. Reports 66% broadband adoption in April 2012
  13. Pew Research Center. Home Broadband 2013. Accessed 2026-03-03. Reports 70% broadband adoption in May 2013
  14. Pew Research Center. Home Broadband Adoption: Modest Decline from 2013 to 2015. Accessed 2026-03-03. Reports 67% broadband adoption in July 2015
  15. Pew Research Center. Nearly Half of American Adults Are Smartphone Owners. Accessed 2026-03-03. Reports 35% smartphone ownership in 2011 and 46% in February 2012
  16. Pew Research Center. Smartphone Ownership 2013. Accessed 2026-03-03. Reports 56% smartphone ownership in May 2013