2005; Nov-Dec

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Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.
Governor
State of Utah
Office of the Governor
Salt Lake City, Utah
8-4114-2220
Gary R. Herbert
Lieutenant Governor
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News Release
For Immediate Release
November 1,2005
Contact: Tammy Kikuchi
Director of Communications
(801)538-1503
Utah Ranks #1 in the Nation in Home Computer Use
Salt Lake City, Utah - Utah Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., is applauding a new report from
the U.S. Census Bureau on computer use. The report shows that Utah ranks highest in the nation
in home computer use. The number-one ranking is an improvement from the previous report in
which Utah ranked second. Seventy-four percent of the households in Utah have a computer in
their home, up from 68 percent in 2001. This represents approximately 1.8 million people in
Utah who have computers in their homes. Other states with high computer use include Alaska,
New Hampshire, Washington, and Colorado.
Utah also ranks high in home internet use. According to the Census Bureau, 63 percent of Utah
households have access to the internet in their homes, which ranks Utah as 5th highest in the
nation. This represents a dramatic improvement in the last few years. In 2001 Utah ranked 14th
in the nation in internet usage, when 54 percent of respondents reported that they used the
internet in their homes.
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"Home computer use and internet use are important economic development tools, particularly as
we continue our efforts to convince technology savvy companies to grow or expand in Utah,"
said Governor Huntsman.
Robert Spendlove, the Manager of Demographic and Economic Analysis in the Governor's
Office of Planning and Budget, said that Utah's high ranking is consistent with the State's
young, well-educated population. "Nationwide, computer use tends to be higher in households
with school-age children and with householders who are married, and have higher educational
attainment than average." Utah ranks among the highest in the nation in educational attainment
and it has the youngest population in the nation, with the highest share of its population in the 5
to 17 age group.
The report is based on data collected in a supplement to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2003 Current
Population Survey that included questions about computer and internet use at home, school, and
work.
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