The U.S. Census Bureau has been collecting data on
computers since 1984, providing valuable insights into
evolving computer usage among adults and children.
Decision makers in a broad array of professions use
these data to determine how the general population
receives information and communicates with others.
Sixty-two percent of households had access to a com-
puter in 2003, compared with 56 percent in 2001,
according to the October Current Population Survey
(CPS).1 The proportion of households with Internet
access more than tripled between 1997 (the first year
data were collected on this topic) and 2003—growing
from 18 percent to 55 percent, as shown in Figure 1.
While computer ownership and home Internet access
have been adopted widely, use of this technology is not
uniform among all groups. For instance, computers
could be found in 35 percent of households with a
householder aged 65 and older, 45 percent with a Black
or Hispanic householder, and 28 percent with a house-
holder who was not a high school graduate.2
U.S. Census Bureau
Population Profile of the United States: Dynamic Version 1
COMPUTER USE IN 2003
2003
2001
2000
1998
1997
1993
1989
1984
Figure 1.
Households With a Computer and Internet Access: 1984 to 2003
(In percent)
Households with a computer
Households with Internet access
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1984, 1989, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2003.
15.0
8.2
22.8
36.6
18.0
42.1
26.2
51.0
41.5
56.3
50.4
61.8
54.7
1 The estimates in this report (which may be shown in text, fig-
ures, and tables) are based on responses from a sample of the popula-
tion and may differ from actual values because of sampling variability
or other factors. As a result, apparent differences between the esti-
mates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant. All
comparative statements have undergone statistical testing and are sig-
nificant at the 90-percent confidence level unless otherwise noted.
2 Federal surveys now give respondents the option of reporting
more th