Elbert County

Which data vintage do you prefer: 2020 Decennial Census (exact counts) or the latest ACS 5-year estimates (2019–2023, most current for small counties)? I’ll include population, age distribution, sex, race/ethnicity, and household counts/size/tenure.

Elbert County, GA snapshot (pop. ~20K; density ~50–55 people per sq. mile)

Estimated email users: 14K–16K residents (about 85–90% of adults), based on national usage and rural Georgia adoption patterns.

Age pattern (share using email):

• 18–29: ~95–98%
• 30–49: ~94–96%
• 50–64: ~88–92%
• 65+: ~75–85%

Gender split: Roughly even; usage is essentially parity by gender. Given a slight female majority in the adult population, women may represent a marginally larger share of local email users.

Digital access and trends:

• About 75–82% of households report a broadband subscription; ~85–90% have a computer device.
• An estimated 10–15% are smartphone‑only internet users.
• Connectivity is strongest in and around Elberton; lower-density areas see more reliance on DSL, fixed wireless, or cellular. Fiber availability is expanding via recent state/federal buildouts.
• Public Wi‑Fi via libraries, schools, and some civic buildings supplements access.

Overall trend: Gradual gains in broadband coverage/speeds and high smartphone adoption keep email a near‑universal channel for work, school, and government communications across age groups.

Here’s a county-level picture based on recent national/rural adoption patterns, Georgia demographics, and known market dynamics in Northeast Georgia. Figures are estimates and intended for planning, not audit.

Headline estimates for Elbert County (population ~19–20k)

• Smartphone users: roughly 14–16k residents use a smartphone (driven by ~80–85% adult adoption and very high teen adoption).
• Mobile-only internet households: about 18–22% likely rely primarily on mobile data/hotspots for home internet, above the Georgia average (~12–15%).
• Typical speeds: in-town 5G low-/mid-band 30–150 Mbps (peaks higher), rural LTE 5–50 Mbps; fringe areas can drop below 5 Mbps.

What differs from Georgia overall

• Higher reliance on mobile as primary internet: Due to patchier wired broadband and lower incomes, mobile/hotspot use for homework, streaming, and telehealth is more common than statewide.
• Older age profile dampens adoption at the margins: Overall smartphone adoption is a few points lower than urban Georgia because a larger 65+ share keeps some flip/feature phone usage in the mix.
• Plan mix skews value/prepaid: Budget/prepaid plans and data-capped options have a larger footprint than in metro areas (price sensitivity rose after the ACP subsidy ended in 2024).
• 5G is present but less transformative: 5G coverage is mostly low-band/sub‑6 around Elberton and corridors; outside town, users are often on LTE, unlike metro Georgia where mid-band 5G is widespread.
• Device mix tilts more Android: Income and prepaid usage translate to a higher Android share than in Atlanta/Athens markets.
• Work-use patterns: Agriculture, logistics, and the granite industry favor rugged devices, push‑to‑talk, and hotspot use on job sites—niches less visible at the state level.

Demographic usage notes

• Age: Seniors (65+) make up a larger slice than the state average; smartphone ownership and app use are improving but lag younger cohorts. Voice/SMS and Facebook remain primary channels for many older users.
• Income: Median household income is below the state median, correlating with prepaid plans, smaller data buckets, and shared/family plans. After ACP sunset, some households downgraded plans or went mobile‑only.
• Race/ethnicity: The county’s sizable Black population and growing Hispanic community show strong mobile engagement; mobile-only internet is more prevalent where fixed broadband is limited or unaffordable. WhatsApp use is notably higher among Spanish‑speaking households; Facebook/Messenger is broadly dominant.
• Youth: Middle/high‑school students have near‑universal smartphone access; school-issued devices/hotspots remain important where home broadband is absent.

Digital infrastructure highlights

• Coverage and carriers:
  • AT&T and Verizon generally provide the most consistent rural coverage; T‑Mobile has improved along GA‑17/GA‑72 and into Elberton but can fall back to LTE in outlying areas.
  • FirstNet (AT&T) coverage for public safety is established; performance varies outside town centers.
• 5G footprint:
  • Low‑band/sub‑6 5G around Elberton and along main corridors; limited mid‑band reach; minimal small‑cell density compared with metro Georgia.
• Towers and terrain:
  • Macro sites are spaced farther apart than in urban counties; lakes and wooded areas near the Savannah River/Russell Lake can create dead zones and uplink limitations.
• Backhaul and fiber:
  • Fiber backhaul exists into Elberton (municipal, telco, and utility routes), but last‑mile fiber is uneven outside town. Recent state/federal grants (e.g., RDOF/BEAD-era projects) are improving pockets but won’t match metro build density in the near term.
• Fixed alternatives:
  • Cable/fiber serve parts of Elberton; DSL remains in some rural stretches. Fixed‑wireless (licensed or CBRS) and satellite fill gaps; many households still lean on smartphone hotspots.
• Community access:
  • Libraries, schools, and some public buildings provide critical Wi‑Fi. During/after COVID, hotspot lending programs became a durable stopgap.

Implications for planning

• Expect above-average demand for reliable LTE/5G coverage, larger data buckets, and affordable prepaid options.
• Investments with the highest impact: new macro sites or sector adds on rural edges; mid‑band 5G where backhaul exists; fixed‑wireless to unserved clusters; continued school/library hotspot programs.
• Outreach that works locally: plans bundled with hotspot allowances, senior-friendly devices, and bilingual support; employer partnerships with the granite/ag sector for rugged devices and onsite coverage solutions.

Elbert County, GA social media snapshot (short)

Population and access

• Residents: ≈19–20k (2023 estimate)
• Internet access: ≈82–86% of households (typical rural GA range)

How many people use social media

• Estimated adults using social media: ≈10–12k (about 70–75% of ~15k adults)
• Note: Teens also use social media heavily, but most public-facing activity is adult-led

Most-used platforms in the county (estimated share of adults who use each; overlaps expected)

• YouTube: 70–80%
• Facebook: 60–65% (dominant public square)
• Instagram: 30–40%
• TikTok: 22–30%
• Snapchat: 20–28% (teen/young adult heavy)
• Pinterest: 25–35% (women-heavy)
• X/Twitter: 12–18%
• LinkedIn: 12–18% (lower than urban GA)
• Reddit: 8–12%
• Nextdoor: 2–5% (limited in rural areas)

Age profile (who’s on, locally; estimates combining county age mix with typical rural adoption)

• 13–17: 10–12% of local social users; mostly Snapchat/TikTok, private accounts
• 18–29: 18–22%; Instagram/TikTok/YouTube, some Facebook for Marketplace/events
• 30–49: 32–36%; Facebook and YouTube core, rising Instagram/Reels
• 50–64: 20–24%; Facebook/YouTube dominant
• 65+: 12–16%; mostly Facebook; some YouTube

Gender breakdown (of local social users; estimates)

• Women: 53–58% (lead Facebook and Pinterest use; strong in local groups)
• Men: 42–47% (lead YouTube, Reddit, X; participate in hobby/outdoors groups)

Behavioral trends to know

• Facebook = community hub: buy/sell/trade and yard-sale groups, obituaries, church updates, school and high‑school sports, local government notices, weather/road alerts. Marketplace is heavily used for local commerce.
• Video growth: Short‑form (Reels/TikTok) is rising for event recaps and small‑business promos; older users still engage most with Facebook posts/photo albums.
• YouTube is “how‑to” central: DIY, equipment repair, outdoors, sermons; high watch time, fewer comments.
• Private spaces matter: Messenger group chats and private Facebook groups carry much day‑to‑day coordination (childcare swaps, church committees, teams).
• Timing: Engagement peaks evenings (about 7–10 pm) and weekends; severe weather or school sports drive spikes.
• What performs: Posts with recognizable local people/landmarks, clear offers (coupons, limited‑time specials), community service tie‑ins, and short native video.
• Youth patterns: Teens are active but less visible publicly; they follow school/team channels and reshare highlight clips, not long text posts.
• Culture/language: Strong participation from Black community groups; some bilingual (English/Spanish) content helps reach growing Hispanic audiences.
• Spillover: Feeds often include nearby counties’ pages (e.g., Athens area) for entertainment, shopping, and jobs.

Notes on method

• Figures are estimates derived from U.S. Census/ACS population, Pew Research Center 2024 platform adoption, and rural-vs-urban usage patterns applied to Elbert County’s demographics. County‑specific platform telemetry is limited, so treat percentages as directional ranges rather than precise counts.