By Corian Zacher
Community leaders nationwide rely on accurate local data about Internet access and adoption. Detailed information about where infrastructure is and which residents lack access is invaluable for improving government service delivery, applying for broadband and digital equity funding, and highlighting local needs for elected officials. Next Century Cities has long called on federal and state partners to provide a clear picture of who persistently remains offline, most recently in our report Broadband Affordability: the Metrics that Drive and Divide Us.
Bill Callahan with Connect Your Community analyzed recently released Census data, which show that several of the most disconnected communities in 2019 are among the most improved cities for wireline broadband. NCC member communities that made the list, including Detroit, Michigan; Arlington, Virginia; and Fresno, California, have invested in exemplary community-centered solutions for connecting residents.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and U.S. Census Bureau partnered on a project to better understand the number of residents with a broadband subscription in each community. In September 2024, the agencies released the first iteration of Local Estimates of Internet Adoption (Project LEIA). Using data from 2022, the Census Bureau combined results from the American Community Survey, Federal Communications Commission, and small area estimation modeling techniques to estimate the number of residents with and without a broadband connection. An interactive map showcases data by county and the data sets are also available for download.
NTIA is accepting comments on the methodology used in Project LEIA and plans for future expansion. You can read the Request For Comment and submit your feedback to NTIA by October 15, 2024. NCC members interested in submitting comments can contact Corian Zacher, corian@nextcenturycities.org for support.
Additional Resources:
