An estimated 172 million adult consumers access the Internet, either through connections at home, the office, school, libraries or coffee shops, according to a new poll. The figure marks a 5% increase from last year’s level.
While the number of adults going online at work has remained more or less the same (35% now, 36% a year ago) 70% access the Internet from home connections, up from the 66% that did so a year ago. Those that do so from other locations remained relatively steady – 22% currently, compared with 21% a year ago.
Internet use is still more prevalent among younger and more affluent consumers than their older and lower-income counterparts. But these numbers are shifting to reflect the general U.S. population: Currently 8% of people online are over 65, compared with 16% of the general population that is over 65, and 14% of adults with incomes of less than $25,000 access the Web, compared with 19% of adults overall at this income level.
On average, people spend nine hours a week online, more or less consistent with last year’s figure.
The poll was conducted via telephone between February and April 2006. Harris Poll surveyed 2,032 adults aged 18 or older and weighted the results to bring them in line with the American population.
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