Elk County

Do you want these stats from the 2020 Decennial Census (official counts) or the latest American Community Survey 2019–2023 5-year estimates (most current for small counties)? I can provide both if you prefer.

Elk County, KS snapshot (estimates)

• Population: ≈2.4–2.5K; very rural at about 4 people per square mile.
• Email users: ~1.6K–2.0K residents (roughly 65–80% of the population; share is higher among adults).
• Age distribution of email users (reflecting an older county profile):
  • 18–34: ~15–25%
  • 35–64: ~45–55%
  • 65+: ~25–35%
• Gender split among users: roughly even (near 50/50).
• Digital access and trends:
  • Household internet/broadband subscription rates appear around two-thirds (typical of rural KS), with many relying on fixed wireless or mobile data; satellite widely available.
  • Fiber is limited and concentrated in/near towns (e.g., Howard, Moline, Longton); outside town centers, speeds and reliability vary.
  • Mobile 4G covers main corridors; coverage can be spotty on backroads and in low-lying areas; 5G presence is limited.
  • Increasing smartphone-only access and reliance on public Wi‑Fi (libraries/schools) for higher-bandwidth tasks.
• Implications for email: Usage is near-universal among connected adults and remains a primary channel for government, healthcare, schools, and agriculture-related communications.

Notes: Figures are reasoned estimates derived from census-scale population and typical rural Kansas connectivity patterns; exact email counts aren’t directly tracked.

Below is a practical, estimate-based snapshot of mobile phone usage in Elk County, Kansas, with emphasis on how it differs from statewide patterns. Figures are derived from 2020 Census population (~2,400), typical rural adoption rates, and industry trends through 2024; treat them as directional ranges.

User estimates

• Residents with any mobile phone: 1,700–1,900 (about 90–95% of adults).
• Smartphone users: 1,500–1,650 (about 80–85% of adults; roughly 63–69% of total population).
• Prepaid share of mobile lines: 30–40% (notably higher than statewide ~20–25%).
• Households relying on mobile data or hotspots as primary home internet: 15–25% (vs ~8–12% statewide).
• Multi-carrier households (keep a second SIM/plan for coverage): ~10–15%.

Demographic breakdown and usage patterns

• Older population: About 28–32% of residents are 65+ (well above the Kansas average). Smartphone ownership among 65+ is lower (about 60–70%), with heavier reliance on voice/SMS and simpler plans.
• Working-age adults (25–64): High mobile ownership; practical, value-oriented plans (MVNOs like Consumer Cellular/Straight Talk are common). BYOD for work is less prevalent than in metro areas.
• Youth (under 25): Similar app/social usage as statewide but constrained by patchy mid-band 5G and lower median speeds; video is more often SD, and gaming is limited by latency.
• Income sensitivity: Lower median incomes push longer device replacement cycles and higher prepaid/MVNO adoption.

Digital infrastructure points

• Coverage pattern: Strongest along US-160 and KS-99 and in/near Howard, Moline, Longton, and Grenola. Drop-offs in low-lying/wooded areas and farther from highways, especially near river valleys and remote ranchland.
• Radio access: Predominantly LTE and low-band 5G. Mid-band 5G (n41/C-band) is limited, so real-world speeds are often 5–50 Mbps outdoors and lower indoors.
• Carrier mix (resident usage): Verizon 45–55%; AT&T (incl. FirstNet) 30–40%; T‑Mobile 10–20%. T‑Mobile’s low-band 5G helps along corridors but indoor reliability lags the other two in some pockets.
• Sites/backhaul: A small rural grid of macro towers (roughly a half dozen to a dozen across the county) with mixed microwave and limited fiber backhaul; capacity can dip during severe weather or events. Small cells are rare outside civic buildings/schools.
• Public safety: FirstNet (AT&T) coverage is concentrated along main routes and towns; volunteer services still rely heavily on VHF, with cellular as a complement. Residents commonly keep NOAA radios because cellular alerts are unreliable in dead zones.
• Alternatives: Fixed wireless and satellite (including Starlink) fill broadband gaps; that, in turn, drives mobile hotspot use. Public Wi‑Fi is available at schools, libraries, and some businesses in town centers.

How Elk County differs from Kansas statewide

• Older, more rural user base: Higher share of 65+ depresses smartphone penetration (≈80–85% of adults vs ≈88–90% statewide).
• More price-sensitive plans: Prepaid/MVNO usage is significantly higher.
• Carrier balance: Verizon/AT&T dominate more than in metros; T‑Mobile share is lower due to indoor and off-corridor coverage gaps.
• Network capability: Mid-band 5G and average throughput lag the state’s urban corridors; many users operate on LTE or low-band 5G with lower median speeds.
• Mobile-only internet: Higher reliance on mobile data/hotspots for home connectivity than the state average.
• Redundancy behavior: More households keep backup carriers or rely on Wi‑Fi calling to work around coverage holes.

Notes on method and uncertainty

• Counts are estimated from population, age mix, Pew-style smartphone adoption by age, and rural vs statewide deltas; exact carrier shares, tower counts, and 5G footprints vary by micro-location and change as networks upgrade. For planning, validate with a drive test and current FCC maps, carrier coverage tools, and the Kansas Office of Broadband Development updates.

Below is an estimate-based snapshot, since county-level social media data isn’t directly published. Figures are derived from Pew Research Center’s 2024/2023 U.S. social media findings, adjusted for Elk County’s older age profile and rural context.

Quick context

• Population: ~2,400; skews older versus U.S. average (Census).
• Adults using at least one social platform: roughly 65–75% of adults (≈1,200–1,450 people).

Most-used platforms among adults (estimated share of all adults)

• Facebook: 55–65% (county’s primary digital “town square”)
• YouTube: 60–70%
• Facebook Messenger: 45–55%
• Instagram: 20–30%
• TikTok: 15–25%
• Snapchat: 12–20%
• Pinterest: 15–22% (female-skewed)
• WhatsApp: 10–15%
• X/Twitter: 8–12%
• LinkedIn: 8–12%
• Reddit: 6–10%
• Nextdoor: <5% (low neighborhood density)

Age-group usage patterns (share using any social + top platforms)

• Teens (13–17): 90%+; YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram; little Facebook.
• 18–29: 90%+; YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok; Facebook mainly for family/community.
• 30–49: ~80–90%; Facebook (Groups/Marketplace) and YouTube dominate; Instagram moderate; TikTok rising.
• 50–64: ~65–75%; Facebook primary; YouTube common; some Pinterest, TikTok.
• 65+: ~40–55%; Facebook primary; YouTube second; Messenger for family.

Gender breakdown (tendencies)

• Women: Slightly higher on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and especially Pinterest; strong use of Facebook Groups and Marketplace.
• Men: Slightly higher on YouTube, X/Twitter, and Reddit; interests skew to outdoors, ag, sports, tools/equipment.

Behavioral trends observed in similar rural Kansas communities

• Community-centric Facebook use: Local news, school sports (West Elk), churches, weather alerts, road conditions, buy/sell/trade, fundraisers, obituaries.
• Marketplace reliance: Heavy for farm/ranch equipment, trucks, trailers, furniture, services.
• Messaging-first coordination: Facebook Messenger and Snapchat for quick, local communication.
• Event-driven spikes: Severe weather, school closures, fairs/festivals prompt surges in engagement and sharing.
• Content style: Practical, hyperlocal posts and photos outperform polished/influencer-style content; short videos/reels gaining traction.
• Business presence: Most small businesses prioritize Facebook Pages and boosted posts within 25–50 miles; limited LinkedIn; Instagram used by a subset of boutiques/food vendors.
• Access constraints: Patchy broadband/cellular lead to mobile-first, lower-data habits; evening peaks are common (commute/home hours).

Notes on methodology

• Percentages are estimates for Elk County adults, adapted from Pew Research Center’s 2024 Social Media Use (and 2023 Teens) data plus rural-versus-urban differentials and the county’s older age mix. They are directional, not from a county-specific survey.