Ford County

To keep this precise, which dataset/vintage would you like me to use for Ford County, KS?

• ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates (latest, best for counties)
• ACS 2018–2022 5-year estimates
• 2020 Decennial Census (good for population and race, limited household details)

Also, do you want household metrics beyond counts/size (e.g., family vs. nonfamily, median age, median household income)?

Here’s a concise, data‑informed snapshot for Ford County, Kansas (pop. ~34K):

• Estimated email users: 20K–24K (≈22K), reflecting high adult adoption but some gaps from rural connectivity and smartphone‑only access.
• Age distribution of email users (est.): 13–24: 20–25%; 25–44: 35–40%; 45–64: 25–30%; 65+: 10–15% (lower among the oldest due to access/usage patterns).
• Gender split among email users: roughly mirrors county demographics, about 52% male / 48% female.
• Digital access trends:
  • ~75–82% of households subscribe to broadband; 15–20% are smartphone‑only.
  • Fiber and fixed‑wireless coverage have expanded recently; rural edges still rely on cellular or satellite with higher latency and variable speeds.
  • Public access points (libraries, schools, municipal Wi‑Fi) support residents without home broadband.
• Local density/connectivity context:
  • Area 1,099 sq mi; density ~31 people/sq mi, with most residents concentrated in Dodge City (27–28K), where wired broadband options are strongest.
  • Outlying farm/ranch areas experience sparser infrastructure, affecting consistent email access.

Notes: Figures are estimates synthesized from U.S. Census/ACS patterns, Kansas broadband reports, and national usage research (Pew/NTIA); local audits may refine counts.

Here’s a concise, decision‑oriented snapshot of mobile phone usage in Ford County, Kansas, emphasizing where it differs from statewide patterns.

Headline user estimates

• Total unique mobile users: roughly 24,000–28,000 people.
  • Basis: county population ~34k; adult share ~70%; adult mobile ownership rates in the mid‑90% range; high teen smartphone uptake.
• Households with at least one smartphone: about 9,500–10,500 (roughly 88–94% of ~11k households).
• “Mobile‑only” internet households (cellular data plan and no fixed broadband): approximately 25–35% of households (2,700–3,800).
  • Notable variance vs Kansas overall: Kansas statewide is closer to the mid‑teens to ~20% mobile‑only; Ford County’s share is materially higher.

Demographic patterns shaping usage (vs state)

• Younger, more Hispanic/Latino: Ford County has a substantially higher Hispanic/Latino share (about 60%) and a younger median age than Kansas overall. These correlate with:
  • Higher likelihood of mobile‑only internet substitution.
  • Greater reliance on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Spanish‑language plans/support.
• Income and housing: Lower median household income and higher renter share than the state average.
  • Effects: more prepaid and budget‑focused plans, family plans, and BYOD; greater sensitivity to device cost and financing.
• Work patterns: Large shift‑based workforce (meat processing, logistics, agriculture).
  • Effects: heavier off‑peak and overnight usage, strong demand for dependable indoor coverage at industrial sites, and highway corridor reliability for commuting.

Digital infrastructure snapshot

• Coverage
  • 4G LTE: Broad outdoor coverage by major carriers in and around Dodge City and along US‑50/US‑400 and US‑56/US‑283; spotty areas likely persist in low‑density fringe and river/valley terrain.
  • 5G: Low‑band 5G is broadly present; mid‑band capacity (e.g., T‑Mobile n41, Verizon C‑band) is concentrated in Dodge City and immediate surroundings, with far less mid‑band reach countywide than seen in urban/eastern Kansas markets.
  • FirstNet (AT&T Band 14) sites serve public‑safety needs around population centers and corridors.
• Backhaul and local providers
  • Fiber backhaul is anchored in Dodge City with regional telco/co‑op presence; fixed wireless and CBRS are used to extend broadband in rural areas.
  • Compared with state averages, fiber‑to‑the‑home penetration is lower outside town, increasing the appeal of cellular as primary internet.
• Capacity and indoor performance
  • Metal/concrete industrial buildings and widely spaced rural sites mean indoor coverage can be inconsistent away from Dodge City; this constraint is more pronounced than in most Kansas metro counties.
• Retail/MVNO presence
  • Strong prepaid footprints (e.g., Metro, Cricket, Boost and other MVNOs) in Dodge City; prepaid share is likely above the state average.

How Ford County differs most from Kansas statewide

• Higher mobile‑only household share and stronger substitution of cellular for home internet.
• Higher prevalence of prepaid/budget plans and Spanish‑language app usage and support needs.
• 5G capacity is more localized (Dodge City), with rural areas relying on low‑band 5G/LTE; the capacity gap vs metro/eastern Kansas is wider.
• Greater emphasis on industrial/shift‑work indoor coverage and highway reliability versus dense neighborhood small‑cell capacity.

Notes on method and uncertainty

• Estimates synthesize U.S. Census/ACS 5‑year indicators (smartphone presence, internet subscription types), FCC coverage data (2023–2024), and state/national ownership benchmarks. Ranges are used where current county‑specific figures are not published at high precision.

Below is a concise, directional profile of social media use in Ford County, Kansas (as of 2025). Figures are modeled from U.S. Census population estimates and Pew Research Center social-media/adoption data for U.S. adults, with rural and Hispanic-majority community adjustments. Use as estimates, not exact counts.

Headline user stats

• Population: ~34,000; adults (18+): ~23,000–24,000
• Adult social-media users: ~16,500–18,500 (≈72–78% of adults)
• Teens (13–17): ~2,700–3,000 users (very high penetration, ≈90–95%)
• Total 13+ users: ~19,200–21,400

Age mix (share of social-media users)

• 13–17: 12–15% (heavy on Snapchat/TikTok; school sports and local events drive spikes)
• 18–29: 22–26% (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube; high messaging use)
• 30–49: 30–34% (Facebook + Instagram core; Marketplace, local groups)
• 50–64: 18–22% (Facebook, YouTube; local news, weather, community info)
• 65+: 8–12% (Facebook, YouTube; lower but rising adoption)

Gender breakdown (overall, among users)

• Female: ~51–53% (over-index on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest)
• Male: ~47–49% (over-index on YouTube, X/Twitter, Reddit) Note: County population skews slightly male, but platform engagement tends to tilt female.

Most-used platforms (adult users; estimated % of adult social-media users)

• YouTube: 80–85% — how-to, repairs, agriculture/DIY, local sports highlights
• Facebook: 70–75% — community groups, churches, schools, Marketplace, local news/weather
• Instagram: 45–50% — local businesses, food, events, youth sports, Stories/Reels
• TikTok: 35–40% — short entertainment, local creators, food/retail; fastest growth under 35
• Snapchat: 30–35% — dominant for teens/young adults; high private messaging use
• Pinterest: 25–30% — home, crafts, recipes; mostly female 25–54
• WhatsApp: 25–30% — strong among Spanish-speaking households for family comms and business chat
• X/Twitter: 18–22% — weather alerts, sports, statewide news; smaller but utility-driven
• LinkedIn: 15–20% — hiring in healthcare, education, logistics; niche but present
• Nextdoor: 5–8% — limited footprint; Facebook groups fill the “neighborhood” role

Behavioral trends to know

• Community-first usage: Facebook Groups are the hub (schools, churches, youth sports, buy/sell, lost & found, weather). Events like Dodge City Days and high-school athletics create noticeable spikes.
• Commerce and classifieds: Facebook Marketplace is a top local transaction channel; “for sale,” farm/ranch gear, vehicles, and rentals perform well.
• Messaging dominates: Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Snapchat are primary for inquiries; many local businesses field more DMs than emails.
• Language and culture: A large Hispanic/Latino community boosts bilingual content engagement. WhatsApp and Facebook are key for cross-border family ties and local Spanish-language announcements.
• Time-of-day patterns: Morning (6–8 a.m.) and late evening (8–11 p.m.) perform well; shift work (meatpacking, logistics) adds late-night activity. Severe-weather days drive surges on Facebook/X/YouTube.
• Content that travels: Weather and road conditions, local sports clips, rodeo/western lifestyle, hunting/fishing, farm/DIY how-tos, school updates, and local dining specials.
• Trust signals: Posts from schools, city/county, law enforcement, and churches are highly reshared. User-generated community photos outperform stock imagery.
• Video formats: Short vertical video (Reels/TikTok) gains rapid reach under 35; longer how-to and recap videos do well on YouTube and Facebook.
• Discovery: Teens/20s discover places via TikTok/Instagram; 30+ rely on Facebook groups and recommendations.

Sources and method

• U.S. Census Bureau (Ford County population/age structure; latest estimates)
• Pew Research Center (U.S. adult social-media adoption and platform reach, 2021–2024 updates)
• NTIA/ACS and Pew (rural internet/smartphone adoption trends) Figures are localized estimates adjusted for rural context and a large Hispanic community; consider validating with local page insights or a short resident survey for precision.