Cherokee County

Cherokee County, Kansas — key demographics (most recent ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates; rounded)

• Population: ~19,100
• Age:
  • Median age: ~41.6
  • Under 18: ~23%
  • 18–64: ~58%
  • 65+: ~19%
• Sex:
  • Female: ~50.5%
  • Male: ~49.5%
• Race (race alone; totals may slightly differ due to rounding):
  • White: ~84–85%
  • Black or African American: ~1%
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: ~8%
  • Asian: ~0.5%
  • Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander: ~0.1%
  • Some other race: ~0.6%
  • Two or more races: ~5–6%
• Ethnicity:
  • Hispanic or Latino (of any race): ~4%
• Households:
  • Total households: ~7,900
  • Average household size: ~2.4
  • Family households: ~60%
  • Married-couple households: ~47%
  • Nonfamily households: ~40%
  • Households with children under 18: ~26–27%
  • Average family size: ~3.0

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019–2023 (5-year). 2020 Census count for reference: 19,362.

Summary for Cherokee County, Kansas (estimates)

• Population and density: ~19,000 residents across ~590 sq mi (≈32 people/sq mi; largely rural).
• Estimated email users: ~14,000–15,000 residents (≈75–80% of population), based on rural broadband adoption and national email usage rates.
• Age distribution of email users (approximate):
  • 13–17: ~900 users (email adoption ~70–85% among teens)
  • 18–49: ~6,800–7,200 users (near-universal adoption)
  • 50–64: ~3,300–3,600 users
  • 65+: ~2,700–3,100 users (gap narrowing but lower than younger groups)
• Gender split: Roughly even; small differences by age are typical but not large enough to shift totals materially.
• Digital access trends:
  • Home internet adoption is high but below urban Kansas; many rural households are mobile-first or mobile-only.
  • Email is near-universal among internet users; seniors and lower-income residents show lower usage but steady gains.
  • Public Wi‑Fi (libraries, schools, municipal buildings) supplements access for households with limited service.
• Local connectivity facts:
  • Wired broadband is concentrated in towns (e.g., Columbus, Baxter Springs, Galena); outlying areas rely more on fixed wireless or satellite.
  • 4G LTE is widespread; 5G is present near populated corridors but patchier in remote areas.

Notes: Estimates blend Census population with Pew/National email adoption and rural broadband patterns for southeast Kansas.

Summary: Mobile phone usage in Cherokee County, KS shows near-universal adoption among working-age residents, slower 5G upgrades than the state average, and heavier reliance on cellular for home internet due to patchy wired options outside towns. Affordability and an older age profile shape device and plan choices more than in Kansas overall.

User estimates (modeled)

• Population base: ~19,000–20,000 residents; ~7,900–8,100 households.
• Active mobile users (age 13+): roughly 15,000–16,000 people carry a mobile phone.
• Smartphone users: about 14,000–15,000 (≈75–80% of total population; ≈88–92% of adults). Seniors are the main gap.
• Cellular-only home internet: about 20–28% of households likely rely on a mobile data plan as their primary home connection (vs a lower share statewide), especially outside Columbus, Baxter Springs, and Galena.
• Prepaid/MVNO penetration: higher than the Kansas average; an estimated 30–40% of consumer lines, driven by price sensitivity and variable credit.
• ACP exposure: before the 2024 wind‑down of the Affordable Connectivity Program, on the order of 1,000–1,600 local households likely participated; many shifted to cheaper mobile-only solutions or downgraded plans afterward.

Demographic patterns shaping usage

• Age: The county skews older than Kansas overall. Smartphone adoption is very high among under‑65 adults; among 65+, smartphone ownership is notably lower, with a meaningful minority on basic phones. Families with teens are heavy users of unlimited and hotspot plans where home broadband is weak.
• Income and affordability: Median household income trails the state average by a wide margin. That translates to more prepaid plans, longer device replacement cycles, and higher Android share. Multi‑line discounts and MVNO offerings are influential.
• Race/ethnicity and language: The market is predominantly White non‑Hispanic, with smaller Native American and Hispanic communities. Language access needs exist but are less pronounced than in larger Kansas metros.
• Education/employment: Trades, logistics, health care, and service work common to the area lean on voice/SMS reliability, hotspotting for field work, and coverage along commuting corridors into Joplin and Pittsburg.

Digital infrastructure snapshot

• Coverage and technology mix:
  • LTE is the workhorse countywide. Low‑band 5G is broadly present; mid‑band 5G (needed for higher speeds) is mainly near towns and highways, thinning in low‑density areas.
  • T‑Mobile generally has the widest mid‑band 5G footprint in rural Kansas; AT&T and Verizon strengths are more LTE/low‑band 5G with spotty mid‑band outside towns. Real‑world speeds vary widely by location and time of day.
• Fixed broadband context:
  • Cable or fiber exists in core town grids; legacy DSL/copper persists in many fringe areas. Outside town limits, many households lack affordable, high‑capacity wired options and lean on mobile or fixed wireless.
  • 4G/5G fixed‑wireless home internet is available in and around population centers; coverage drops in wooded or hilly pockets.
• Tower/backhaul patterns:
  • Sites cluster around Columbus, Baxter Springs, Galena, and along major corridors; performance is strongest there. River bottoms, tree cover, and metal‑roof construction can degrade indoor signal in the countryside.
  • Backhaul often ties into nearby regional hubs (e.g., Joplin/Pittsburg), so edge areas can see congestion during peak times.
• Public safety and resilience:
  • FirstNet/Band 14 has improved AT&T coverage for emergency services. Power outages and sparse site density mean rural users benefit from Wi‑Fi calling and in‑home signal boosters.
• Cross‑border dynamics:
  • Proximity to Missouri and Oklahoma means some users work or shop across state lines, care about roaming/partner coverage, and may choose carriers based on performance toward Joplin.

How Cherokee County differs from Kansas overall

• Higher reliance on mobile data as the primary home connection, reflecting more gaps in wired broadband outside town centers.
• Lower mid‑band 5G availability and a greater share of usage on LTE/low‑band 5G, leading to more variable speeds and capacity constraints at the network edge.
• Older population and lower incomes drive:
  • More prepaid/MVNO lines and tighter price sensitivity.
  • Slower device refresh cycles and higher Android share.
  • Lower smartphone adoption among seniors (though rising year over year).
• Greater importance of coverage along rural corridors and across state borders (Joplin commute/shopping patterns), compared with the I‑70/Wichita/KC focus that shapes statewide averages.
• Retail access: fewer carrier‑owned stores; more reliance on third‑party dealers and online sales/support than in metros.

Notes on method and confidence

• Estimates combine recent Census/ACS population and age structure patterns for Cherokee County with national/rural smartphone adoption data (e.g., Pew/NTIA), CDC wireless‑only trends, and typical rural Kansas network footprints from carrier and FCC mapping. Figures are presented as ranges to reflect uncertainty and local variation. For planning, validate at the census‑block or ZIP‑code level and with on‑the‑ground speed/coverage tests.

Social media snapshot: Cherokee County, Kansas (modeled estimates)

User stats

• Population: ≈19,000 residents; adults (18+): ≈14,500–15,500.
• Estimated social media users:
  • Adults: ≈10,500–11,500 (about 70–75% of adults, in line with rural U.S. usage).
  • Teens (13–17): ≈1,100–1,300; ≈90%+ use at least one platform.
  • Total users (all ages): ≈11,500–12,800.

Most‑used platforms (adults, estimated share of adults using each at least monthly)

• YouTube: 70–78%
• Facebook: 60–68%
• Instagram: 25–35%
• TikTok: 25–32%
• Pinterest: 25–32%
• Snapchat: 18–25%
• X (Twitter): 12–18%
• LinkedIn: 8–12%
• Reddit: 8–12% Notes: Ranges reflect rural/older age mix; based on Pew Research national usage adjusted for rural counties.

Age groups

• Teens (13–17): YouTube 90%+, TikTok ~60–70%, Instagram ~55–65%, Snapchat ~55–65%, Facebook ~25–35%. Heavy short‑form video and messaging; Facebook mainly for school announcements, sports, and family.
• Young adults (18–29): Active on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat; YouTube and Facebook still common. Heavy Reels/Shorts/TikTok consumption.
• 30–49: Facebook and YouTube dominate; Instagram and TikTok growing (especially parents). Marketplace use is high.
• 50+: Facebook and YouTube lead; Pinterest for hobbies; lower adoption of TikTok/Instagram but rising among 50–64.

Gender patterns (directional)

• Skews female: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Pinterest (Pinterest especially).
• Skews male: YouTube, X, Reddit.
• LinkedIn: small base; slight male tilt.

Behavioral trends observed in similar rural Midwest counties

• Community and information: Facebook Groups/pages are central for school districts, youth sports, churches, local government, storm updates, lost/found pets, and obituaries.
• Local commerce: Facebook Marketplace is the default buy/sell channel; high response to price‑forward posts, giveaways, and “new-in-stock” updates from local shops.
• Video habits: Short‑form (Reels/Shorts/TikTok) drives discovery; practical/DIY and local-event clips perform best. YouTube used for how‑to, hunting/fishing, small‑engine/auto repair, and local sports streams.
• Messaging: Facebook Messenger for family/community; Snapchat for teens/young adults; many businesses field inquiries via Messenger comments/DMs.
• Timing: Peaks evenings (7–10 p.m.) and weekends; noon hour bumps on workdays. Severe weather and school‑sports nights spike engagement.
• Trust cues: Content featuring known local faces, schools, or landmarks outperforms generic creative. Clear pricing and phone numbers increase response rates.
• Platform roles:
  • Facebook = community hub + commerce.
  • YouTube = education/entertainment; long‑tail search.
  • Instagram/TikTok = reach under‑40s; visual branding and events.
  • Pinterest = project planning, recipes, seasonal crafts (women 25–54).
  • X/Reddit = niche; news/sports chatter and hobbyist groups.

Notes and how to localize

• Figures are estimates derived from Pew Research Center social media use data (adults and teens), adjusted for rural age profiles, and county population from Census/ACS. For precise, current reach, check each platform’s ad planner (Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, X) using ZIPs in Cherokee County (e.g., Columbus 66725, Baxter Springs 66713, Galena 66739) and cross‑reference with Census age/gender counts.