Doing the Math: Older Adults Online, 2003
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2003-07-18 14:29:00-04:00
So, just how many older adults are online? It's a good question, but the answer depends on who you ask. The last large survey— a US Census Current Population Survey (CPS) of over 50,000 households— was conducted in September 2001, long enough ago for the numbers to have changed quite a bit. Yet three more recent surveys (published between February and April of 2003) report considerably different numbers.
After reviewing the studies and our own internal data, we are inclined to concur with Harris Interactive, which estimates the older adult online population as follows:
- For the 50+ population, 36 million adults (48%) are online
- For those aged 50-64, 25 million adults (61%) are online
- For the 65+ population, 11 million adults (32%) are online
The following table is an overview of the demographic studies reviewed that provide a basis for estimating Internet use among older adults:
As the table suggests, the individual studies report data for different age ranges. In addition, they report data using different measures, which makes comparing them more of an extrapolation rather than a straight one-to-one comparison.
A question which remains to be answered is the apparent variance between the Pew studies and the Harris and UCLA studies. The next US Census CPS that will include computer and Internet use is currently scheduled for October 2003, with data being available after March 2004. The wider reach of that survey may help to better answer the question of how many older adults are online.
The rest of this article summarizes the various reports available online related to the older adult online demographic.
Harris Interactive
The Harris Poll® #8
Reported February 5, 2003
Data collected by phone during November and December 2002; 2,033 interviews
Number of adults (18+) online -- 140 million (67% of all adults 18+)
Percent of all adults online:
- age 50-64 — 18% (25 million)
- age 65+ — 8% (11 million)
Note: In followup correspondence with Harris Interactive (dated 7/16/2003), they reported the following rolling average from two recent studies:
Percent of adults online:
- age 50+ — 48%
- age 50-64 — 61%
- age 65+ — 32%
UCLA Internet Report
Surveying the Digital Future: Year 3
Reported February 2003
Data collected by phone April to June 2002; 2000 interviews
Percent who use Internet:
- age 46-55 — 72%
- age 56-65 — 64%
- age 65+ — 34%
Pew Internet & American Life Project
The Ever-shifting Internet Population
Reported April 13, 2003
Data collected by phone during March and May 2002; 3,553 interviews, adults 18+
Percent with Internet access:
- age 50-64 — 52%
- age 65+ — 18%
NTIA
A NATION ONLINE: How Americans Are Expanding Their Use of the Internet
Reported February 2002
Data collected September 2001; approximately 57,000 households and more than 137,000 individuals
% Internet use from any location:
- age 50+ — 37.1% (27.9 million)
US Census
CPS August 2000: Home Computers and Internet Use in the United States
Reported September 2001
Data collected August 2000; about 50,000 households
Percent who use Internet at home:
- age 45-54 — 43.8
- age 55-64 — 30.5
- age 65+ — 12.8
preview