Antrim County

Key demographics — Antrim County, Michigan

Population size

• 23,431 (2020 Census)

Age

• Median age: ~51 years (ACS 2018–2022)
• Under 18: ~20%
• 65 and over: ~27%

Sex

• Female: ~50.5%
• Male: ~49.5% (ACS 2018–2022)

Race/ethnicity (ACS 2018–2022)

• White, non-Hispanic: ~94%
• Hispanic/Latino (any race): ~3%
• Two or more races, non-Hispanic: ~2%
• American Indian/Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: ~1%
• Black, non-Hispanic: ~0.3%
• Asian, non-Hispanic: ~0.3%

Households (ACS 2018–2022)

• Households: about 10,400
• Average household size: ~2.25
• Family households: ~64% of households
• Households with children under 18: ~23%
• One-person households: ~28%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census; American Community Survey 2018–2022 5-year estimates.

Antrim County, MI snapshot (estimates)

• Population: ~23.5k (2020). Density ~49 people/sq mi.
• Email users: ~17k–20k residents (75–85% of total; ~85–95% of adults).
• Age mix among email users (county skews older):
  • 13–24: 12–15%
  • 25–44: 22–26%
  • 45–64: 32–36%
  • 65+: 27–32%
• Gender split: ~48% male, ~52% female (reflects older age structure).
• Access and usage:
  • ~75–85% of households have a home broadband subscription; 10–15% are mobile-only.
  • Email is checked primarily on smartphones, with older adults more likely to also use PCs.
  • Connectivity strongest in/near Elk Rapids, Bellaire, and along Torch/Torch Lake-Lake Michigan corridors (cable/fiber); inland townships have patchier DSL/fixed wireless with some satellite reliance.
  • Public libraries (e.g., Bellaire, Elk Rapids) provide computers/Wi‑Fi that support email access.
• Trends:
  • Gradual fiber expansion (2023–2025) improving speeds and reliability.
  • Seasonal population around Torch Lake and resort areas raises summer network load but also drives investment.
  • Ongoing shift to mobile email and multi-factor authentication among working-age users.

Notes: Figures synthesized from census-scale population and typical rural MI internet/email adoption patterns.

Summary: Mobile phone usage in Antrim County, Michigan (focus on what differs from the state)

User estimates

• Total mobile phone users (any mobile phone): approximately 18,500–20,500 residents on a typical, non-peak day. This reflects high adult phone ownership but an older age profile that slightly lowers penetration versus the state.
• Smartphone users: roughly 15,500–17,500. Adoption is strong among working-age adults, but somewhat lower among the county’s larger 65+ population than the Michigan average.
• Mobile-only internet households: estimated 20–25% of households rely primarily on mobile data (hotspots or phone tethering) for home internet, notably higher than Michigan overall (roughly mid-teens). This stems from patchier fixed broadband in rural townships.
• Seasonal surge: device counts and data consumption spike sharply in summer (lakes, resorts, festivals). Congestion is notably higher than typical rural Michigan due to tourism concentration around Torch Lake, Elk Rapids, Bellaire/Shanty Creek, and along US‑31.

Demographic drivers (how Antrim differs from Michigan)

• Older population: ~29% aged 65+ (well above the state average). Implications: slightly lower smartphone uptake, more basic phones, and heavier voice/SMS use among some cohorts; higher use of medical/emergency apps and wearables.
• Predominantly rural and less dense: more coverage gaps and indoor signal challenges than state average; higher adoption of signal boosters in homes and cottages.
• Income and education: median household income and bachelor’s attainment are modestly below state averages, contributing to:
  • A somewhat higher share of prepaid plans and budget MVNOs than Michigan’s urban counties.
  • Greater sensitivity to plan price and coverage reliability over peak speeds.
• Second homes/seasonal residents: above-state share of seasonal housing. This adds short-duration, high-demand users each summer who often bring downstate carrier plans into the county.

Digital infrastructure and coverage patterns

• Terrain and gaps: Glacial hills, forests, and the Jordan River Valley create dead zones away from highways—more pronounced than the state norm. Lakeshores and towns see strong signals; interior townships can be spotty.
• 5G availability:
  • T-Mobile: broad low-band 5G coverage countywide; mid-band “UC” strongest along US‑31 (Elk Rapids corridor) and in/near towns; interior coverage relies more on low-band.
  • Verizon: reliable LTE footprint with improving C‑Band near population centers and along major corridors; interior sites remain LTE-first. Good marine/lakeshore reach relative to peers.
  • AT&T: solid along highways and towns; FirstNet support is a plus for public safety. Mid-band 5G is more limited than in Michigan’s metro counties. Net effect versus state: 5G mid-band depth and capacity trail urban Michigan; low-band 5G and LTE still carry much of the load inland.
• Corridors with best service: US‑31 (Elk Rapids/Grand Traverse Bay), M‑88 (Bellaire/Central Lake), and US‑131 near Mancelona. Resort nodes (Shanty Creek/Schuss, Torch Lake access points, village centers) have stronger capacity than surrounding rural areas.
• Backhaul and fiber: Middle‑mile and utility fiber builds have improved along major roads and town centers, enabling 5G upgrades. However, fiber-to-tower density inland remains thinner than state averages, limiting rapid capacity scaling.
• Fixed wireless as a gap-filler: LTE/5G home internet (especially T‑Mobile in towns; Verizon in select corridors) and local WISPs fill coverage gaps where cable/fiber are limited—used more heavily than statewide norms.

Behavioral/usage notes distinct from state averages

• Higher reliance on mobile data for home connectivity, especially in rural townships and among seasonal residents.
• Noticeable summer congestion and event-driven surges (harbors, lake sandbars, festivals, ski/golf resorts) compared with typical rural Michigan.
• Slightly higher prevalence of prepaid/MVNO lines and signal boosters; device upgrade cycles may be longer among older residents.
• Voice/text reliability matters more than headline 5G speeds for many users; Wi‑Fi calling is commonly used indoors due to construction materials and distance to towers.

Method note

• Figures are estimates derived from county population, age structure, and national/rural adoption rates, adjusted for Antrim’s older, rural, and seasonal profile. Exact tower counts and carrier market shares vary by location and over time.

Antrim County, MI social media snapshot (2025, modeled)

User stats

• Population ~23.5k; adults ~18.5–19k
• Adult internet users: ~16–17.5k (about 85–92% of adults)
• Adult social media users: ~12.5–14k (about 65–75% of adults)

Age mix among adult social media users (approx.)

• 18–34: 18–22%
• 35–54: 26–30%
• 55–64: 16–19%
• 65+: 30–36% Note: Older-than-average population shifts usage toward Facebook and YouTube.

Gender breakdown (approx.)

• Female 51–53%; male 47–49%
• Skews: women over-index on Facebook/Instagram/Pinterest; men over-index on YouTube/Reddit/X.

Most-used platforms (adult reach in-county; estimates)

• YouTube: 70–80%
• Facebook: 65–75%
• Instagram: 25–35%
• Pinterest: 30–40% (especially women 35+)
• TikTok: 15–25% (mostly under 35)
• Snapchat: 12–20% (teens/20s)
• LinkedIn: 12–18% (lower given local occupational mix)
• X/Twitter: 12–18%
• WhatsApp: 10–15% (niche)
• Reddit: 10–15%
• Nextdoor: 5–10% (many rely on Facebook Groups instead)

Behavioral trends

• Facebook is the local public square: Groups and Marketplace dominate for news, school updates, events, lost-and-found, and buy/sell.
• Strong seasonality: Activity spikes around summer tourism (Torch Lake, Elk Rapids Harbor Days) and winter sports; event pages drive attendance and UGC.
• Local-first engagement: Posts about small businesses, weather/road conditions, and community causes get high reach and shares.
• Visual/short-form growth: Instagram and YouTube feature outdoor recreation (boating, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling); Reels/Shorts usage rising.
• Messaging: Facebook Messenger is primary; WhatsApp remains modest; older adults lean on SMS group texts.
• Youth patterns: Teens/young adults favor Snapchat and TikTok; cross-post highlights to Instagram (sports, school activities).
• Timing: Evenings (7–10 pm) and weekend mornings peak; weather events trigger rapid, high-volume sharing.
• Advertising cues: Hyper-local references (Bellaire, Elk Rapids, Mancelona) and seasonal needs (boats/docks, snow gear) lift response; geo-target around US‑31 and M‑88 corridors.

Method note and sources

• Figures are modeled from Pew Research Center 2023–2024 U.S. social media use by platform/age, adjusted to Antrim County’s older, rural profile using U.S. Census Bureau ACS population estimates. Treat as directional, not exact.