June 21, 2005
Most Rural Nebraskans Using the Net, Poll Shows
LINCOLN, Neb. — Most rural Nebraskans have Internet access and most likely use it to find information or stay in touch via e-mail, the 2005 Nebraska Rural Poll indicates.
This year's University of Nebraska-Lincoln poll asked respondents about their Internet access and use over the past decade.
The poll showed 69 percent of rural Nebraskans have Internet access at home or work. Nationwide, about 55 percent of households had Internet connections based on 2003 Census data, according to the National Telecommunications and Infrastructure Administration.
"A strong majority of rural Nebraskans are using information technology," said Bruce Johnson, an agricultural economist on the rural poll team. "This indicates the Digital Divide isn't dissecting Nebraska."
During the past decade, 36 percent of rural Nebraskans gained Internet access at home and at work, 24 percent at home only, 6 percent at work only and 3 percent were connected earlier.
Income and age are major access factors. Among people earning over $60,000, 95 percent have Internet access at home or work compared with 37 percent of those earning earn under $20,000 annually. Nearly 90 percent of people ages 19-49 have access compared with 40 percent of those 65 and older.
Some low-income people who lack Internet connections probably go online at libraries or other public places but the income-technology use gap is a concern, said Randy Cantrell, the rural sociologist on the poll team.
Information searches and e-mail were the leading reasons for using the Internet at 89 percent and 83 percent, respectively. Sixty-one percent of respondents said access was important for work or business; 50 percent listed online purchases.
Other findings include:
– At home, 58 percent of rural residents connect via dial-up modem and 40 percent use broadband, including cable, DSL, wireless or satellite.
– At work, 30 percent use DSL, 19 percent dial-up, 17 percent cable, 9 percent wireless, 4 percent satellite and 21 percent other or don't know.
– The Panhandle is the most "wired" rural region. Three-quarters of residents have Internet access compared with 66 percent in north central or rural southeast Nebraska.
Survey results are based on 2,851 responses from 84 rural Nebraska counties. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percent.
6/21/05-VM Becky Vogt
Center for Applied Rural Innovation Nebraska Rural Poll Project Manager (402) 329-4821
 
Randy Cantrell - Ph.D.
Center for Applied Rural Innovation Professor (402) 472-1772
Vicki Miller Research Communications Coordinator (402) 472-3813
Department:
Center for Applied Rural Innovation
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