What do Orthodox Jewish and Native American neighborhoods have in common? Lack of internet access is definitely one thing, according to a Social Explorer analysis of 2014-18 American Community Survey figures. Among the 25 Census tracts with more than 1,000 households and lowest rates of internet connections in the nation, 23 are in suburban New York City, Arizona, or New Mexico, with the three lowest being found in Kiryas Joel, N.Y. (86.9 percent of households had no internet in one neighborhood, 84.4 percent in another) and Kaser, N.Y. (84.7 percent).

The issue of internet access is crucial for schools hoping to re-open classes in the fall after a global pandemic shut down virtually all educational institutions in March. High-speed internet access will be especially important for schools offering online instruction for the Orthodox and Native communities, which have both been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. On the bright side, 191 Census tracts in 28 states and the District of Columbia – neighborhoods encompassing more than 350,000 households – have no households without internet access.

Use Social Explorer’s award-winning interactive tools to see how your neighborhood stacks up when it comes to internet connectivity.

No Internet Access in the U.S. Click here to explore further.

Author: Frank Bass