Caldwell County

To confirm: Do you mean Caldwell Parish, Louisiana (LA uses parishes, not counties)? If yes, I can provide the latest American Community Survey (2019–2023 5-year) estimates for population, age, sex, race/ethnicity, and household characteristics.

Note: Louisiana uses parishes; this refers to Caldwell Parish.

• Population and density: ~9.5–10.0k residents across ~540 sq mi (≈18 people/sq mi), very rural.
• Estimated email users: 6,000–6,800 residents with active email (based on adult population share and rural email adoption).
• Age distribution of email adoption (approximate):
  • 13–17: 85–95% use email (school-driven).
  • 18–24: 90–95%.
  • 25–44: 95%+.
  • 45–64: 88–93%.
  • 65+: 65–80% (rises yearly as smartphones spread).
• Gender split among users: roughly even (≈49% male, 51% female, mirroring population).
• Digital access trends:
  • Household broadband subscription is likely in the 70–80% range, with mobile-only internet common (≈15–20% of adults).
  • Fiber builds have accelerated since 2022 through state/federal programs (e.g., GUMBO/BEAD), improving speeds and reliability, especially near Columbia and along main corridors.
  • Public/library Wi‑Fi remains a safety net for homework, telehealth, and e‑gov in outlying areas.
  • Cellular coverage is strong near highways/towns, spottier in timbered/low-density areas; fixed-wireline options thin outside populated clusters. Notes: Figures are estimates synthesized from ACS population, rural Louisiana connectivity patterns, and national email adoption benchmarks.

Note: Louisiana uses parishes, not counties. The area you’re asking about is Caldwell Parish.

Summary of mobile phone usage in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana (with differences from statewide trends)

Context

• Rural parish; population about 9.5–10 thousand, ~3.6–3.9 thousand households.
• Older, lower-income, and more rural than Louisiana overall—factors that shape mobile adoption and reliance.

User estimates (best-available estimates derived from ACS 2019–2023 5‑year data on device/Internet subscriptions, combined with Pew Research smartphone adoption rates and local age mix)

• Households with at least one smartphone: 82–86% (roughly 3,000–3,200 households). • Louisiana overall: typically ~86–89%.
• Adult smartphone users: approximately 5,900–6,400 adults (about 80–85% of adults). • Louisiana overall: closer to the mid-to-high 80s.
• Smartphone-only households (no desktop/laptop at home): 26–30% (about 960–1,110 households). • Louisiana overall: ~19–22%. Caldwell’s rate is notably higher.
• Households relying on a cellular data plan for home internet: ~12–16%. • Louisiana overall: often ~8–12%.
• Prepaid/mobile budget plans: estimated 35–45% of mobile lines (higher share than statewide), reflecting income mix and credit-screening barriers.

Demographic patterns (how usage differs locally)

• Age: A larger share of older residents lowers overall smartphone ownership a few points versus the state. Among seniors, basic phones or shared family plans are more common; among working-age adults, reliance on smartphones as the primary internet device is high.
• Income/education: Lower household income and educational attainment correlate with higher “smartphone-only” dependence and greater use of prepaid plans and data-capped offerings.
• Race/ethnicity: As seen statewide and nationally, Black residents are more likely than White residents to be smartphone-dependent for internet access; sample sizes are small, but the pattern likely holds locally. Hispanic population is small but also tends toward mobile-first use where present.
• Housing/rurality: Dispersed housing increases coverage variability and reduces in-home signal quality, pushing some households to hotspots, signal boosters, or fixed wireless.

Digital infrastructure points (coverage, capacity, backhaul)

• Networks present: All three national carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T‑Mobile) serve the parish; MVNOs ride on these networks.
• 4G/5G availability: • 4G LTE: Generally available along major corridors (notably the US‑165/Columbia corridor) and town centers; patchier in outlying timberland and river-bottom areas. • 5G: Predominantly low‑band 5G from T‑Mobile and AT&T along main roads and in/near Columbia; mid‑band 5G capacity is limited or spotty. Verizon low‑band/DSS present; mmWave is effectively absent.
• Performance (typical, not guaranteed): • Outside town centers, many users experience 15–40 Mbps down and single‑digit to mid‑teens up on LTE/low‑band 5G; speeds can dip below 5 Mbps in weak-signal pockets. • In and near Columbia and along US‑165, good 5G low‑band conditions can reach 30–80 Mbps down; mid‑band bursts may occur where available. • Peak-hour congestion is more noticeable than in metro Louisiana due to fewer sectors and tighter backhaul.
• Coverage gaps/choke points: Forested areas, rolling terrain, and distance between towers create dead zones and indoor-coverage challenges in western/eastern parts of the parish; users commonly rely on Wi‑Fi calling, external antennas, or boosters.
• Backhaul and anchors: Fiber backhaul is strongest along highway corridors and to public anchors (schools, library, courthouse) via E‑Rate/state fiber programs; outside these paths, cell sites may be constrained by microwave or legacy backhaul until ongoing rural fiber builds reach them.
• Alternatives/substitutes: Fixed wireless and satellite are important complements where cable/fiber are unavailable; many households tether or use mobile hotspots for homework and streaming.

How Caldwell differs from Louisiana overall (key takeaways)

• Slightly lower overall smartphone ownership due to older age structure.
• Significantly higher smartphone-only and mobile-reliant households (+6–10 percentage points vs state), driven by lower income and fewer wired options.
• Higher prepaid share and sensitivity to data caps.
• Lower availability of mid‑band 5G and lower median mobile speeds; more persistent coverage gaps away from US‑165 and town centers.
• Greater reliance on mobile hotspots and fixed wireless for home connectivity, especially for students and shift workers.
• Infrastructure upgrades (new fiber/backhaul and additional sectors) have outsized impact here compared with urban parishes.

Data notes and confidence

• Figures are estimates synthesized from ACS S2801 (Types of Computers and Internet Subscriptions, 2019–2023 5‑year), Pew Research Center smartphone adoption (2023), NTIA Internet Use Survey patterns, and FCC mobile coverage disclosures. Small-population error margins apply; use ranges for planning rather than point targets.
• For project work, validate with the latest ACS 5‑year release, FCC Broadband Data Collection mobile layers, and carrier RF engineering maps or on-the-ground drive testing along parish roads.

Below is a concise, evidence‑based snapshot for Caldwell Parish (Caldwell County), Louisiana. Exact, parish‑level platform counts aren’t publicly reported; figures are estimates derived from Pew Research Center’s 2024 social media data, rural-usage patterns, and Caldwell’s small, older-leaning population.

Population and overall usage

• Population: ~10,000 residents (majority adult).
• Estimated social media users: 5,500–6,500 residents (roughly 70–80% of adults; lower among the oldest age groups). Smartphone‑only access is common; home broadband is below state/national averages.

Most‑used platforms (estimated share among local social media users)

• Facebook: 70–85% (dominant hub for news, groups, Marketplace).
• YouTube: 65–75% (heavy for entertainment, how‑tos; less “social” posting).
• Instagram: 30–40% (younger adults/parents; visual updates).
• TikTok: 25–35% (growing with teens/20s; short local video).
• Snapchat: 20–30% (teens/college‑age for messaging).
• Pinterest: 20–30% (women; home, recipes, crafts).
• X (Twitter): 8–15% (sports, breaking news followers).
• LinkedIn: 8–12% (small professional niche).
• Nextdoor: likely low (<10%) due to rural density and limited neighborhood coverage.

Age patterns

• Teens (13–17): YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat lead; Instagram follows; limited Facebook except for school/teams.
• 18–24: Instagram/TikTok/Snapchat heavy; YouTube ubiquitous; Facebook used for events, jobs, buy–sell.
• 25–44: Facebook is primary (groups, school, Marketplace); Instagram secondary; TikTok rising; YouTube for DIY/parenting content.
• 45–64: Facebook strongest (community, church, local news); YouTube common; modest Instagram/TikTok adoption.
• 65+: Facebook first; YouTube second; minimal use of other platforms.

Gender breakdown (directional)

• Overall active users skew slightly female (roughly 52–56%).
• Platform tilts: Facebook Groups/Marketplace and Pinterest skew female; YouTube, X skew male; Instagram, TikTok are relatively balanced (slight female tilt).

Behavioral trends

• Community-first: Heavy engagement with local groups (schools, churches, youth sports, civic alerts, weather, road conditions).
• Marketplace culture: Strong buy/sell/trade on Facebook; local services (handyman, lawn, auto) acquire leads via posts and Boosted ads.
• Trust and influencers: Engagement concentrates around known local admins, coaches, pastors, and parish officials more than national influencers.
• Content format: Short, vertical video is rising (events, games, “what’s happening this weekend”); photo albums still perform in school/youth sports.
• Timing: Evenings (7–10 pm) and weekends see peak posting and engagement; midday spikes around lunch.
• Messaging: Facebook Messenger is the default; Snapchat for teens/young adults; WhatsApp usage is relatively low.
• Advertising receptivity: Offers tied to immediate needs (home repair, automotive, food specials) convert best; geo‑targeted Facebook/Instagram ads outperform broad reach.

Notes on methodology and confidence

• Figures are estimates extrapolated from Pew Research Center’s 2024 U.S. platform usage, adjusted for rural, older-leaning demographics typical of Caldwell Parish; they should be used directionally, not as audited counts. For campaign planning, validate with platform ad-reach tools (Meta, Snapchat, TikTok) set to Caldwell Parish and compare to school enrollment and voter‑file counts for sanity checks.