Digital Divide in the U.S.: Trends in Internet and Smartphone Access

For a quarter of a century, the Pew Research Center has tracked the evolution of technology adoption in the United States, revealing persistent disparities in access to and use of the internet and smartphones. While broadband internet subscription and smartphone ownership are widespread, significant digital divides remain, impacting millions of Americans across both rural and urban communities. Recent federal investments aim to bridge these gaps, but substantial work remains to ensure equitable access and digital literacy for all.

Broadband Adoption and Smartphone Ownership: A Historical Perspective

Data from Pew Research Center surveys, conducted via phone from 2000 to 2021, web and mail in 2023, and a combination of web, mail, and phone in 2024 and 2025, demonstrate a consistent increase in both broadband subscription and smartphone ownership over the past two decades. The initial surveys in 2000 showed limited adoption, but by 2025, a majority of U.S. Adults report subscribing to broadband at home and owning a smartphone. [Pew Research Center, 2026]

The Ongoing Digital Divide

Despite overall increases in access, the digital divide persists. The Pew Charitable Trusts highlights that the divide is more widespread than commonly perceived, affecting individuals in both rural and urban areas. Factors contributing to this divide include affordability, availability of infrastructure, and digital skills. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical importance of internet access for work, education, healthcare, and social connection, prompting significant federal investment through programs like the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and the Digital Equity Act, both part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These programs aim to expand broadband access and improve digital literacy.

Federal Initiatives to Bridge the Gap

The BEAD Program and the Digital Equity Act represent a bipartisan effort to address the digital divide. These initiatives provide states with resources to connect households and businesses lacking quality broadband service and to enhance digital skills and capacity. The goal is to ensure all Americans can fully participate in the digital economy.

Pew Research Center and The Pew Charitable Trusts

The Pew Research Center, a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, conducts ongoing research into the state of news, information, and journalism in the digital age. The Center’s work is funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and supported by grants from organizations like the John S. And James L. Knight Foundation. The Pew Charitable Trusts, established in 1948, operates projects and conducts research across various areas, including communities, conservation, finance, governing, and health.