Douglas County

Here are key demographics for Douglas County, Colorado (latest available: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 1-year estimates; DP05, DP02):

• Population: ~383,000
• Age:
  • Median age: ~39 years
  • Under 18: ~26%
  • 65 and over: ~14%
• Sex:
  • Female: ~50%
  • Male: ~50%
• Race/ethnicity (alone or in combination; Hispanic can be any race):
  • White (non-Hispanic): ~77%
  • Hispanic/Latino: ~10%
  • Asian (non-Hispanic): ~6–7%
  • Black/African American (non-Hispanic): ~1%
  • Two or more races (non-Hispanic): ~4–5%
  • Other (incl. American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander): ~1%
• Households:
  • Total households: ~140,000
  • Average household size: ~2.8
  • Family households: ~74% of households
  • Married-couple families: ~62% of households
  • Households with children under 18: ~40%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 1-year (DP05: Demographic Profile; DP02: Selected Social Characteristics). Estimates are rounded.

Douglas County, CO snapshot (modeled from recent ACS and national email adoption):

• Estimated email users: ~280,000–300,000 of ~370,000–380,000 residents (about 75–80% of total; roughly 90–95% of adults).
• Age distribution (county): Under 18 ~26–27%; 18–34 ~18%; 35–54 ~28–30%; 55–64 ~12–14%; 65+ ~12–14%.
  • Email adoption by age: 18–64 typically 95%+; 65+ around 85–90%; teens (13–17) ~70–80%.
• Gender split: ~50% female / ~50% male; email usage is effectively even by gender, so users split roughly evenly.
• Digital access trends: Among the highest-connectivity counties in Colorado; an estimated 97–98% of households have a computer and ~94–96% subscribe to broadband (ACS S2801/S2802). Smartphone and home broadband adoption are near-saturation and still inching upward; fiber and 5G coverage continue to expand.
• Local density/connectivity: Population density roughly 440–450 people per sq. mile across ~840 sq. miles; multiple fixed-broadband providers cover nearly all populated areas, supporting very high household internet take-up and, by extension, near-universal email access among adults.

Below is a concise, planning-oriented summary of mobile phone usage in Douglas County, Colorado, with estimates and the key ways it differs from state-level patterns. Figures are directional ranges based on recent ACS demographics, Pew smartphone adoption benchmarks, and carrier coverage patterns as of 2024.

Estimated user base

• Population: roughly 370,000–385,000 residents.
• Adults (18+): 280,000–300,000.
• Adult smartphone users: 260,000–288,000 (about 93–96% penetration, higher than the state average).
• Teens (13–17): 22,000–26,000; smartphone adoption 95–98% (21,000–25,000 users).
• Total smartphone users (adults + teens): approximately 285,000–310,000.
• Active mobile lines/SIMs: on the order of 315,000–370,000, reflecting multi-line family plans and work devices.

Demographic patterns that shape usage

• Higher income and education: Median household income and bachelor’s+ attainment are well above Colorado averages. Effects:
  • Earlier/greater adoption of 5G-capable phones (≈80–85% of smartphones) and premium plans.
  • iOS share likely elevated (≈60–70% vs. statewide ≈55–60%).
  • Lower prepaid share (≈10–15% vs. statewide ≈20–25%).
• Household composition: More families with children than the state average.
  • High multi-line family plans and parental controls usage.
  • Strong teen smartphone penetration and device replacement cadence.
• Age profile: Slightly older median age than Colorado overall, but tech-forward.
  • Senior adoption is relatively strong; remaining gaps cluster among older residents in more rural pockets.
• Language/ethnicity: Lower share of Spanish-speaking households than the state average.
  • Less reliance on Spanish-first mobile support compared with state-level needs.

Usage behaviors (how it differs from statewide norms)

• Mobile-only internet households are less common: ≈5–8% vs. ≈12–16% statewide, because fixed broadband adoption is very high.
• Postpaid and family plans dominate; BYOD for knowledge workers is common due to a large professional workforce.
• Heavier use of mobile payments, telehealth, and app-based school/athletics communications.
• Daytime network demand concentrates around business parks, medical centers, shopping hubs, and along commuter corridors; weekend surges toward parks/open-space trailheads.

Digital infrastructure and coverage

• 5G footprint: All three national carriers have broad low-band 5G; mid-band/“Ultra Capacity/5G+/UW” is dense in growth centers (Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker, Castle Rock) and along primary corridors. This is generally stronger and more contiguous than many rural Colorado counties.
• Small cells/densification: Notable in commercial districts, around retail centers, and along major arterials to handle capacity for commuters and shoppers.
• Gaps/shadowing: Terrain-driven weak spots persist in foothill/canyon areas and at the southern edges (e.g., Palmer Divide/Larkspur/Perry Park), more pronounced than along the county’s main north–south corridor.
• Backhaul/fiber: Multiple regional and national fiber providers serve the I‑25/arterial corridors, supporting robust macro and small-cell backhaul; suburban buildout is stronger than much of Colorado outside the Front Range.
• Public safety: County first responders benefit from mature LTE/5G public-safety networks (e.g., FirstNet) and NG911 features like text-to-911; WEA alerts are active.

Key ways Douglas County differs from Colorado overall

• Higher smartphone penetration, faster 5G device refresh, and higher iOS share.
• Lower reliance on prepaid and on mobile-only internet; higher fixed broadband subscription rates.
• Network capacity investments are more urban-suburban (small cells, mid-band 5G) and less constrained by backhaul than many non-Front-Range counties.
• Coverage is excellent along populated corridors but can drop quickly in hilly/open-space areas; the urban–wildland interface creates sharper capacity and coverage contrasts than typical statewide averages.
• Usage is skewed toward family plans, remote/hybrid work, telehealth, and school-linked apps, reflecting the county’s demographics.

Notes

• Figures are estimates intended for planning and comparison. For a sourced, point-in-time profile, pair recent ACS county tables (population, households, internet/computer use), Pew Research (smartphone adoption), and carrier 5G coverage maps/small-cell filings, plus local 911/FirstNet updates.

Below is a concise, localized snapshot for Douglas County, CO. Where hard county-level data aren’t published, estimates use recent U.S. benchmarks applied to the county’s population and demographics; treat numbers as directional.

Topline snapshot

• Population and access: ~370k residents (ACS 2022). Very high broadband adoption (mid-90% of households), which supports above-average social activity.
• Estimated social media users:
  • Total population basis: roughly 260–275k residents use social media (≈70–75% penetration, in line with U.S. averages).
  • Adults (18+): about 200–210k use at least one social platform (≈72% of adults).

Most‑used platforms (adult usage; apply Pew U.S. 2024 adoption rates to Douglas County’s adult base for rough local reach)

• YouTube: ~80–85% of adults → roughly 230–240k users
• Facebook: ~65–70% → ~185–200k
• Instagram: ~45–50% → ~125–145k
• TikTok: ~30–35% → ~85–100k
• Pinterest: ~33–36% → ~95–105k
• LinkedIn: ~28–32% → ~80–95k
• Snapchat: ~25–30% → ~70–85k
• Reddit: ~20–22% → ~55–65k
• X (Twitter): ~20–23% → ~55–65k
• WhatsApp: ~20–22% → ~55–65k Note: Nextdoor isn’t covered consistently in national surveys, but suburban, HOA-heavy counties like Douglas typically show strong neighborhood-app usage.

Age patterns (directional, based on Pew national patterns; Douglas County skews family/ suburban)

• Teens (13–17): Very high YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram; TikTok usage strong. Heaviest short‑form video consumption.
• 18–29: YouTube near‑universal; Instagram/Snapchat/TikTok are core; Facebook used but not dominant for social (still used for Marketplace/community).
• 30–49: Facebook and YouTube highest; Instagram solid; TikTok growing; LinkedIn above average due to large white‑collar workforce.
• 50–64: Facebook dominant; YouTube and Pinterest strong; Nextdoor/neighborhood groups active.
• 65+: Facebook and YouTube lead; lower use of TikTok/Snapchat; high engagement with local safety, government, and community updates.

Gender tendencies (national patterns applied locally)

• Women: Higher likelihood to use Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest; strong participation in parenting/school/youth‑sports groups; frequent Stories/Reels and group admin roles.
• Men: Higher on YouTube, Reddit, X; more tech, finance, automotive, and outdoor gear content; higher participation in hobbyist forums and creator channels.

Behavioral trends specific to Douglas County

• Community-first usage: Heavy engagement with HOA, neighborhood watch, lost-and-found pets, snow/road closures, wildfire/safety updates (Facebook Groups, Nextdoor).
• Family lifecycle content: School/PTO pages, youth sports leagues, and local events perform well; calendar-driven spikes (back‑to‑school, sports seasons).
• Local commerce: Facebook Marketplace and “Buy Nothing” groups are popular; strong response to hyperlocal offers, services (home improvement, childcare, tutoring).
• Outdoor lifestyle: High interaction with hiking, biking, skiing, and park/trail content; gear reviews and local trail updates perform well across YouTube/Instagram.
• Professional networking: LinkedIn activity is above average for the region (commuters to the Denver Tech Center, tech/health/financial services presence). Thought leadership and hiring posts get traction midweek.
• Short‑form video: Reels leads for local businesses; TikTok reach growing but skews younger; cross‑posting Reels/TikTok with localized hooks improves completion rates.
• Timing: Engagement typically peaks weekday evenings (7–9 pm) and weekend mornings; weather events and school closures create midday spikes.
• Trust and verification: Posts from county government, Sheriff’s Office, school districts, and known local media see higher share/ save rates during emergencies.

Method notes and sources

• Population and broadband: U.S. Census Bureau/ACS (latest available). Douglas County is among the nation’s higher‑income counties with high internet subscription rates.
• Platform percentages: Pew Research Center, Social Media Use (2024). Local platform user counts above are estimates derived by applying national adult adoption rates to Douglas County’s adult population.
• Nextdoor and hyperlocal behavior inferred from suburban/HOA patterns and county communications practices.