December 19, 2003

 

Most North Dakota Households Have a Computer

The majority of North Dakota households, nearly 58 percent, had a computer in 2001. In addition, 51 percent of households had access to the Internet.

This month’s "Economic Brief," a monthly publication released from the North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University, focuses on data provided by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the U.S. Census Bureau using the September 2001 Current Population Survey.

The proportions of North Dakota households with computers rose considerably in just one year. In 2000, less than half of all North Dakota households, 47.5 percent, had a computer. In 1998, only 40 percent had a computer. Access to the Internet has been on the rise as well throughout the state. In 2000, less than half of all North Dakota households, 37.7 percent, had access. In 1998, only one in five had access.

"This is important news for the state," says Richard Rathge, director of the North Dakota State Data Center. "Having computers and access to the Internet are vital links to the new information age. In a state like North Dakota where distance is a significant barrier for residents, access to the information highway can serve to reduce limitations of distance. Consider, for example, North Dakota’s leadership role in telemedicine, distance education, and its growing business sector in cyberspace. These data show North Dakota is becoming well integrated into the new information age economy despite its significant rural population," Rathge says.

Nationally, the proportions are similar. In 2001, 56.5 percent of households had computers, up from 51 percent in 2000 and 42.1 percent in 1998. The proportion of U.S. households with Internet access rose to 50.5 percent in 2001, up from 41.5 percent in 2000 and 26.2 percent in 1998. For information on the survey source, accuracy, and methodology, go to the following URL: http://www.bls.census.gov/cps/computer/computer.htm

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Source: Richard Rathge, (701) 231-8621, richard.rathge@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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