Percentage of Households With At Least One Computer

Household computer ownership continued its slow, steady growth in the last decade, spurred by the falling cost and increasing necessity of computers. Computers continue to become less expensive, with new laptops now readily available for a few hundred dollars. The coronavirus pandemic has also pushed households to adopt computers quicker for work and entertainment. As a result, the percentage of families that own a computer is projected to reach 96.6% in 2025. Notably, the adoption rate has slowed as computers rapidly reach full saturation in American households. Moreover, between schools, libraries and work offices, the average American is given free access to computers from a variety of sources, reducing the need to own one at home for those that do not want one. The percentage of households with at least one computer is largest among young households where the householder is below 50 years of age and the percentage is over 98.0% in households that have a yearly income of over $100,000. The percentage was lowest among households where the householder is above 65 years old.