FTC Disclosure: Your support keeps Hotdog running! We earn referral fees for some products when you buy through our links at no extra cost to you. Any questions?
Senior using Laptop

Cities With the Most Digitally-Connected Seniors

One of the most prominent and likely enduring changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic has been the rapid shift towards new technologies that facilitate remote communication, entertainment, learning, and work.

Older Americans generally have lower rates of technology adoption than their younger counterparts. For example, 78% of 65-and-over households have internet access compared to 89% of households overall. But seniors are more digitally connected today than ever before.

Older Americans’ Increasing Tech Usage

Technology has enabled seniors to endure some of the most trying aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has done so by allowing them to stay in touch with others during isolation and providing them with access to critical services such as grocery delivery and telehealth visits.

A recent AARP report found that technology spending among older adults nearly tripled during the pandemic, and smartphones were one of the top three tech purchases for that demographic. AARP also reported that significantly more seniors texted, used video chat, and emailed during the pandemic than they did before.

While 78% of seniors have some form of internet access, just less than 60% have high-speed internet subscriptions, and 67% each have a computer and smartphone, according to the most recent Census Bureau statistics. These numbers vary widely by location and socioeconomic status.

For example, research points to a strong rural-metropolitan digital divide among older Americans. Likewise, extensive research points to low rates of technology adoption in less-educated and low-income senior households.

Less than 70% of senior households have high-speed internet, computers, or smartphones

Geographical Differences in Senior Tech Use

To find the locations with the most digitally-connected seniors, researchers at HotDog.com analyzed data from the US Census Bureau and created a composite score based on the following factors:

  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone

At the regional level, seniors living on the coasts and in the Mountain West tend to be more digitally connected than those living in the South and Midwest. Utah ranks highest among all states, where 65% of senior households have access to high-speed internet, 80% have a computer or laptop, and 76% have a smartphone.

Nationally, 59% of senior households have access to high-speed internet, and 67% each have computers and smartphones.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, West Virginia’s 65-and-over population ranks last among all states when it comes to digital connectivity. Just 53% of senior households in West Virginia have high-speed internet, 56% have computers, and 53% have smartphones.

Residents 65+ on the coasts tend to be more digitally connected than those in the South and Midwest

DID YOU KNOW?
Although it’s primarily a Live TV streaming service with easy access to a wide variety of sports content, FuboTV provides an extensive selection of on-demand TV shows and movies as well. For more FuboTV information, check out our detailed FuboTV review.

Similar trends hold true at the local level with many metropolitan areas in California, Colorado, Utah, and Florida topping the list. In general, more affluent cities with strong economies report the highest rates of technology use among the 65-and-over population.

Small and midsized metros with the most digitally-connected seniors

Large Metros With the Most Digitally-Connected Seniors

Here are the US metros with the most digitally-connected seniors.

Atlanta, Georgia
Photo Credit: ESB Professional / Shutterstock

15. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA

  • Composite score: 78.5
  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet: 65.6%
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop: 72.5%
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone: 75.4%

DID YOU KNOW?
Hulu + Live TV gives you access to 85+ live TV channels without cable for $69.99 per month, and includes the basic Hulu on-demand library. For information about Hulu, including detailed pricing information, check out our Hulu + Live TV review.

Jacksonville, Florida
Photo Credit: CHARLES MORRA / Shutterstock

14. Jacksonville, FL

  • Composite score: 78.9
  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet: 64.2%
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop: 74.1%
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone: 75.8%
Dallas, Texas
Photo Credit: CK Foto / Shutterstock

13. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

  • Composite score: 79.9
  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet: 64.3%
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop: 73.3%
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone: 77.5%
Portland, Oregon
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

12. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

  • Composite score: 81.5
  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet: 66.8%
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop: 77.4%
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone: 73.3%
Seattle, Washington
Photo Credit: Checubus / Shutterstock

11. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

  • Composite score: 82.6
  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet: 70.4%
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop: 75.7%
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone: 72.5%
Orlando, Florida
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

10. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL

  • Composite score: 83.4
  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet: 68.3%
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop: 72.6%
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone: 76.5%
San Diego, California
Photo Credit: Dancestrokes / Shutterstock

9. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

  • Composite score: 84.4
  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet: 68.5%
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop: 75.3%
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone: 75.4%
Denver, Colorado
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

8. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO

  • Composite score: 85.2
  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet: 69.2%
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop: 78.6%
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone: 72.9%
Salt Lake City, Utah
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

7. Salt Lake City, UT

  • Composite score: 85.6
  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet: 65.9%
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop: 77.4%
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone: 76.8%
Sacramento, California
Photo Credit: Andrew Zarivny / Shutterstock

6. Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA

  • Composite score: 86.5
  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet: 66.6%
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop: 78.2%
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone: 75.8%
San Francisco, California
Photo Credit: yhelfman / Shutterstock

5. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA

  • Composite score: 86.7
  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet: 69.8%
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop: 74.5%
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone: 76.2%
Phoenix, Arizona
Photo Credit: Gregory E. Clifford / Shutterstock

4. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ

  • Composite score: 87.0
  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet: 66.5%
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop: 78.0%
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone: 77.1%
San Jose, California
Photo Credit: Uladzik Kryhin / Shutterstock

3. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

  • Composite score: 88.2
  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet: 71.5%
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop: 76.0%
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone: 75.6%
District of Columbia
Photo Credit: f11photo / Shutterstock

2. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

  • Composite score: 90.9
  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet: 71.4%
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop: 78.9%
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone: 75.6%
Austin, Texas
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

1. Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX

  • Composite score: 93.2
  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet: 68.7%
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop: 79.6%
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone: 79.1%

Detailed Findings and Methodology

To find the US metropolitan areas with the most digitally-connected seniors, researchers at HotDog.com analyzed data from the US Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample and created a composite score based on the following factors:

  • Percentage of 65+ households with high-speed internet
  • Percentage of 65+ households with a computer or laptop
  • Percentage of 65+ household with a smartphone

To improve relevance, only metropolitan areas with at least 100,000 people were included in the analysis. Additionally, metro areas were grouped into the following cohorts based on population size: small metros: 100,000–349,999; midsize metros: 350,000–999,999; large metros: 1,000,000 or more.

Featured image photo credit: Rasstock / Shutterstock

Page Updates

  1. Image changes. More links. Small layout changes.

  2. Image changes. Changes to some sections. Updated some section headings.

Frank Moraes
Follow me

Frank Moraes

Frank Moraes is Sr Content Editor at Hotdog.com where he oversees the creation and maintenance of articles. His focus is on sports and the regional programming issues that flummox streamers. He has led the efforts to create pages that fully address problems fans have watching out-of-market NFL games. And he is responsible for the site's thorough coverage of the regional sports networks that are essential for fans of MLB, NBA, and NHL. Frank got his PhD in Atmospheric Physics from Oregon Institute of Technology back in 1995. After that, he spent much of that time developing remote sensing technology including streaming video back in the days when most people were using VHS tapes. Since that time, Frank has become a veteran tech writer who specializes in the nexus of entertainment and technology. It was natural that he gravitated toward the streaming industry. He started streaming early, back in 2007 when Netflix introduced "instant watch." Then Hulu started and he was hooked. Outside his work life, Frank is a longtime cord-cutter. He streams pretty much everything while his library of thousands of Blu-rays and DVDs collects dust. Frank currently subscribes to the following streaming services: * Amazon Prime Video * AMC+ * Curiosity Stream / Nebula * Hulu / Disney+ / ESPN+ * Max * Netflix * NFL+ Premium * Paramount+ / Showtime * Peacock He streams mostly on a Roku-powered TCL TV and a VIZIO with an Amazon 4K Fire TV stick. Frank also writes about horror and other cult films at Psychotronic Review Contact Frank with thoughts, questions, and story ideas at [email protected]. Frank's Work on HotDog.com:

Post navigation

Leave a Comment

Ask Our Experts

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share via
Copy link