Genesee County

Genesee County, Michigan – key demographics (latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates, primarily 2023 ACS; rounded)

Population

• Total: ~404,000

Age

• Under 18: ~22%
• 65 and over: ~18%
• Median age: ~41 years

Gender

• Female: ~52%
• Male: ~48%

Race/ethnicity

• White, non-Hispanic: ~71%
• Black or African American: ~21%
• Hispanic or Latino (any race): ~4–5%
• Two or more races: ~5%
• Asian: ~1%
• American Indian/Alaska Native: ~0.5–0.7%

Households

• Total households: ~166,000
• Average household size: ~2.4 persons

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (2023 1-year and 2019–2023 5-year estimates). Percentages rounded.

Genesee County, MI — email usage snapshot

• Estimated users: Population ~402–406k; ~77–79% are adults. Applying Pew’s ~92–95% email use among online adults and ACS internet access, estimate ~290k–320k resident email users (higher if teens included).

• Age: Email is near-universal for 18–64 (90–95%). Seniors 65+ (≈19% of county) are slightly lower (80–85%), so roughly 1 in 6–7 email users is 65+.

• Gender: Split is effectively even; no meaningful male–female gap in email adoption.

• Digital access trends: ACS data indicate ~83–85% of households have a broadband subscription and ~88–90% have a computer; ~10–12% lack home internet. Smartphone-only access is common in the urban core, influencing email use via mobile apps; libraries and schools provide important public Wi‑Fi access.

• Local density/connectivity facts: Genesee is Michigan’s 5th-most-populous county with ~625 people per sq. mile, concentrated in and around Flint. Suburban townships (e.g., Grand Blanc, Fenton, Davison) generally show higher broadband adoption than the City of Flint, reflecting income and infrastructure gaps.

Sources/notes: Estimates combine U.S. Census/ACS 2022–2023 device/broadband data with Pew Research on email/online use; figures are approximate.

Here’s a concise, decision-ready snapshot of mobile phone usage in Genesee County, Michigan, with emphasis on how it differs from statewide patterns. Figures are estimates synthesized from ACS “Computer and Internet Use” data (S2801), FCC broadband reporting, carrier deployment disclosures through 2023–2024, and national adoption research (e.g., Pew). Use the ranges as planning bounds; county-level, year-specific measurements can shift a few points.

Headline takeaways (how Genesee differs from Michigan)

• More mobile-reliant: Genesee has a higher share of “cellular-only” internet households and a lower wired-broadband take rate than the state average, especially in Flint ZIPs.
• Stronger prepaid footprint: Prepaid users (Metro, Cricket, Boost) make up a larger share of the retail market than statewide, tied to income and credit profiles.
• Bigger urban-rural split: 5G mid-band is solid in and around Flint and freeway corridors, but LTE-only or weaker signal persists on the fringes; the gap is wider than the state’s average urban-rural delta.
• Heavier use of public/anchor Wi‑Fi: Library, campus, and civic Wi‑Fi play a larger role as substitutes and supplements to home internet than in many Michigan counties.
• Faster uptake of fixed wireless where wired is weak: T‑Mobile and Verizon home 5G are filling gaps in parts of the county that lack fiber or competitive cable.

User estimates

• Population context: ~405,000 residents; ~315,000 adults.
• Adult smartphone users: approximately 260,000–275,000 (about 82–87% of adults; close to Michigan overall, but achieved with more prepaid/discount plans).
• Households relying mainly on mobile data (“cellular-only” at home): about 24,000–31,000 households (roughly 15–19% of all households), versus Michigan closer to 10–13%.
• Households with no home internet subscription: about 11–13% in Genesee (above the Michigan average, which is typically high single digits).
• Mobile network performance: Mid-band 5G delivers strong speeds in Flint/Grand Blanc/Burton corridors; countywide median speeds are generally below the state urban average due to edge-of-county LTE dependence.

Demographic patterns (local skews vs state)

• Income: Mobile-only reliance is concentrated among households under ~$35k. Because Genesee has a larger share of lower-income households than Michigan overall, the county’s aggregate mobile-only rate runs higher.
• Race/ethnicity: Black and Hispanic residents are more likely to be smartphone-dependent for internet access. With Genesee’s higher Black share (notably in Flint), this raises the county’s overall mobile-reliance compared with the state.
• Age:
  • 18–34: Very high smartphone adoption; above-average likelihood of mobile-only home internet.
  • 65+: Lower smartphone adoption and higher “no internet” rates than the state’s senior cohort, reflecting affordability and device/skills gaps.
• Geography within the county:
  • Flint and adjacent cities (Burton, Mt. Morris, Beecher areas): Highest mobile-only and prepaid usage; dense retail presence of value carriers.
  • Suburban south/southeast (Grand Blanc, Fenton areas): Higher postpaid and device ownership; more wired broadband competition.
  • Rural edges (e.g., parts of Montrose, Atlas, Gaines): More coverage variability; mobile often substitutes for limited wired options.

Digital infrastructure and coverage notes

• 5G footprint:
  • T‑Mobile: Broad 2.5 GHz (n41) coverage across Flint metro and along I‑75/I‑69; generally the widest mid-band footprint.
  • Verizon: C‑Band (n77) strong in and around Flint and major corridors; LTE persists in rural pockets.
  • AT&T: Countywide low-band 5G with growing mid-band; still more LTE-only zones than T‑Mobile/Verizon outside the core.
• Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) for home internet:
  • T‑Mobile Home Internet is widely offered in urban/suburban ZIPs and is penetrating cost-sensitive areas.
  • Verizon 5G Home available in central Flint and adjacent communities; expanding along highway corridors.
  • Net effect: FWA adoption likely above the Michigan average in neighborhoods with weaker fiber/DSL and price-sensitive consumers.
• Wired competition context (drives mobile reliance):
  • Cable (Xfinity/Spectrum) covers most populated areas; AT&T fiber is present but not universal; legacy DSL remains in some outlying zones.
  • Where fiber/cable choice is limited or pricey, households pivot to mobile-only or FWA.
• Public and anchor Wi‑Fi:
  • Heavily used at Flint Public Library and Genesee District Library branches, University of Michigan–Flint, Mott Community College, and Kettering University.
  • Civic venues and some downtown districts provide supplemental access, important for students and jobseekers.
• Coverage gaps and reliability:
  • Notable variability off the interstates and in low-density townships; indoor coverage can be challenging in older housing stock without Wi‑Fi offload.
  • First responder/FirstNet coverage is present via AT&T; as with commercial service, reliability is strongest near urban cores.

What this means for planning and outreach

• Programs that discount mobile service, devices, and data (ACP successor efforts, Lifeline, school and library hotspot lending) have outsized impact relative to many Michigan counties.
• FWA is a viable bridge solution in several neighborhoods but should be paired with digital literacy and equipment support to ensure stable indoor coverage.
• Targeted investments to extend fiber or improve mid-band 5G at the county’s edges will narrow the larger-than-average urban–rural gap in Genesee.

Data caveats and where to verify

• Use ACS S2801 (Computer and Internet Use) for county vs state “cellular-only,” “any broadband,” and “no subscription” baselines.
• Cross-check carrier 5G and FWA availability on provider maps and the FCC Broadband Map; validate performance with local drive tests or crowdsourced speed datasets.
• For finer-grained equity views, combine ACS with school district tech surveys, library Wi‑Fi usage logs, and ZIP-level adoption from FCC/NTIA where available.

Here’s a concise, data‑anchored snapshot. County‑specific, platform‑level stats aren’t published, so figures below are reasoned estimates by applying recent Pew Research U.S. usage rates to Genesee County’s population and age mix (ACS), with minor Midwest adjustments.

User stats

• Population: ~405,000; adults (18+): ~315,000 (ACS).
• Estimated adult social media users: ~230,000–250,000 (about 72–80% of adults).
• Broadband at home: roughly 80–85% of households; smartphone‑only access is notably higher in the City of Flint than in surrounding townships (ACS “Computer and Internet Use”).

Most‑used platforms (estimated share of Genesee County adults who use each)

• YouTube: ~80–83%
• Facebook: ~65–70%
• Instagram: ~45–50%
• TikTok: ~30–35%
• Snapchat: ~25–30% (heavily 13–29)
• Pinterest: ~30–35% (skews female)
• LinkedIn: ~25–30% (a bit lower than big metros)
• X/Twitter: ~20–25%
• Reddit: ~18–22% (skews male)
• WhatsApp: ~15–22% (lower than coasts)
• Nextdoor: ~15–20% (highest in suburban townships)

Age patterns

• 13–17: Near‑universal YouTube; heavy TikTok/Snapchat; Instagram for DMs/Stories; Facebook only for family/school updates.
• 18–29: Very high overall use; Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube dominate; Facebook present for groups/events.
• 30–49: Facebook + YouTube core; Instagram common; TikTok rising; Nextdoor adoption in suburbs.
• 50–64: Facebook strongest; YouTube regular; Pinterest notable; lighter TikTok/Instagram.
• 65+: Facebook and YouTube lead; Messenger widely used; some Nextdoor in HOA/retirement communities.

Gender breakdown (directional, based on national skews)

• Women: More likely on Facebook (higher engagement), Instagram, Pinterest; active in local groups, schools, buy/sell/Marketplace.
• Men: More likely on YouTube, Reddit, X/Twitter; strong in sports/auto/DIY, local news commentary.
• Overall social media adoption is similar by gender; differences show up by platform and content type.

Behavioral trends in Genesee County

• Facebook as the local hub: township/city groups, school closures, weather/road conditions, public safety/scanner pages, and event coordination.
• Marketplace culture: strong use for cars/parts, tools, furniture, rentals; trust built via local referrals.
• Local news via social: heavy engagement with ABC12, MLive/The Flint Journal, police/fire updates; breaking weather posts see spikes.
• Short‑form video growth: TikTok/Instagram Reels/YouTube Shorts used by small businesses (food trucks, salons, auto services), nonprofits, and events (e.g., Back to the Bricks).
• Suburban neighborhood chatter: Nextdoor and Facebook Groups popular in Grand Blanc, Fenton, Flushing for HOA issues, contractor recommendations, lost/found pets.
• Messaging habits: Facebook Messenger is the default; SMS group chats common; WhatsApp concentrated in specific family/immigrant networks; Discord/Reddit used by gamers and hobby communities.
• Timing: Evening (7–10 p.m.) and early morning (6–8 a.m.) see the highest local engagement; weather events and school announcements drive surges.

Notes and sources

• Estimates derived from Pew Research Center’s Social Media Use (2024) platform adoption rates and U.S. age/gender skews, applied to Genesee County’s demographics and internet access from U.S. Census Bureau ACS (latest available). Percentages are approximate and intended for planning, not precise measurement.