Crow Wing County

Here’s a concise snapshot of Crow Wing County, Minnesota (latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates; ACS 2019–2023 5-year unless noted):

• Population: ~67,000
• Age:
  • Median age: mid‑40s (≈46)
  • Under 18: ~20%
  • 65 and over: ~24–25%
• Sex:
  • Female: ~50–51%
  • Male: ~49–50%
• Race/ethnicity:
  • White alone: ~92–94%
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: ~1–2%
  • Black or African American: ~1%
  • Asian: ~0.5–1%
  • Two or more races: ~3–4%
  • Hispanic or Latino (any race): ~2–3%
• Households:
  • Total households: ~29,000
  • Persons per household: ~2.3
  • Family households: ~60–65% of households
  • Nonfamily (incl. living alone): ~35–40%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2019–2023; 2020 Decennial Census (population baseline).

Crow Wing County, MN (population ~67k) – estimated email usage

Estimated users: 48–53k residents use email (about 72–80% of all residents; roughly 88–93% of adults). Based on ACS population/broadband adoption patterns and Pew research showing near-universal email use among internet users.

Age distribution (of email users, approx.):

• 18–29: 8–9k (16–18%)
• 30–49: 16–18k (32–35%)
• 50–64: 12–14k (24–27%)
• 65+: 10–12k (20–23%) Use is near-universal under 50, high in 50–64, and modestly lower for 65+.

Gender split: Roughly even (about 49–51% either way); women are slightly more likely to be daily users in surveys, but the gap is small.

Digital access trends:

• Household broadband subscription is commonly in the low-to-mid 80% range; smartphone-only internet access likely 8–12%.
• Device access (computer or smartphone) is high (>90%), but adoption drops in lower-income and older households.
• Fiber and higher-speed expansions are ongoing via Minnesota’s broadband grants; adoption is strongest in/near Brainerd–Baxter and weaker in outlying lake/rural areas.

Local density/connectivity: Population density is roughly mid-60s per square mile, with large rural and lake areas increasing last‑mile costs and creating patchier fixed-broadband coverage than Minnesota’s metro counties.

Below is an estimate-based snapshot of mobile phone usage in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, with emphasis on how local patterns differ from Minnesota statewide norms. Figures are derived by blending recent U.S./MN survey benchmarks (Pew, ACS/CHTS, CDC wireless-only, FCC broadband) with the county’s age/income profile and rural/seasonal characteristics. Treat numbers as informed estimates and ranges, not official counts.

Quick baseline

• Population: ~66–68k residents; ~28–30k households. Adult share is relatively high (older median age), ≈80–83% adults → ~53–56k adults.

User estimates

• Adults with any mobile phone: 94–96% → ~50–54k users.
• Adults with a smartphone: 84–87% → ~45–49k users. (Slightly below MN statewide, which is closer to upper‑80s to ~90%.)
• Wireless‑only households (no landline): 68–73% of households → ~19–21k households. (A bit lower than MN’s metro‑heavy average but still high and rising.)
• Smartphone‑only internet users (no fixed home broadband): 22–26% of adults → ~12–14k adults. (Meaningfully higher than MN overall, reflecting rural gaps and seasonal/second‑home patterns.)
• Prepaid share of mobile lines: ~28–32% (several points higher than the state average), tied to lower median incomes and part‑time/seasonal use.

Demographic breakdown (drivers of differences)

• Age: Crow Wing has a larger 65+ segment (~24–27% vs ~17% statewide). Smartphone ownership among 65+ likely in the mid‑60s to mid‑70% range locally, pulling down the countywide average. Younger adults (18–44) are near universal smartphone users.
• Income and education: Median household income runs below the MN average; this correlates with higher prepaid adoption and higher smartphone‑only reliance where fixed broadband is limited or costly.
• Seasonality: A sizable influx of seasonal residents/tourists (Brainerd Lakes area) drives temporary spikes in mobile demand and hotspot use at cabins and resorts—effects not seen as strongly statewide.

Digital infrastructure and coverage notes

• 5G/mobile coverage
  • Brainerd–Baxter, along US‑371 and MN‑210, and town centers like Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, and Crosby/Ironton generally have strong LTE and mid‑band 5G from the national carriers.
  • Rural northern and heavily wooded/lake‑dotted areas see more dead zones and indoor‑coverage challenges; lakes and forested terrain create multipath and line‑of‑sight issues.
  • Seasonal events (e.g., near Brainerd International Raceway, lake festivals) can strain capacity; carriers often boost capacity along the 371 corridor.
• Home internet via mobile networks
  • 5G/LTE fixed‑wireless (e.g., T‑Mobile Home Internet, some Verizon 5G Home) is broadly available in and around Brainerd–Baxter and out along 371, with variable performance in outlying areas. Take‑up is higher than the MN average where cable/fiber are absent.
• Wireline competition (impacts smartphone dependence)
  • Charter Spectrum serves many town centers via cable; local fiber (e.g., CTC and other co‑ops) reaches parts of Brainerd/Baxter and selected rural builds, but lake‑country pockets remain underserved/underspec.
  • Where cable/fiber is missing, residents lean on mobile hotspots or satellite; Starlink usage is notably visible at remote lake homes compared to the state overall.
• Public safety and reliability
  • FirstNet (AT&T) has coverage across key corridors; local agencies are on MN’s ARMER radio system with cellular as a supplemental layer. Terrain and tower spacing still leave some gaps for both consumers and first responders outside town centers.

How Crow Wing County differs from Minnesota statewide

• Slightly lower overall smartphone ownership due to a larger senior share.
• Higher smartphone‑only internet reliance, driven by rural broadband gaps and seasonal/second‑home dynamics.
• More pronounced seasonal congestion and capacity swings around lakes and event venues.
• Greater uptake of fixed‑wireless 5G/LTE and satellite as primary home internet, especially outside cable/fiber footprints.
• Prepaid mobile use a bit higher, aligned with income mix and part‑time/seasonal lines.

Notes on uncertainty

• County‑level mobile stats aren’t published as a single source; figures above triangulate from state/national datasets plus known local conditions. For planning, validate with carrier coverage maps, MN Office of Broadband grant areas, and local providers (CTC, Charter) for the latest buildouts.

Below is a concise, best-available estimate for Crow Wing County, MN. Figures use Pew Research Center’s 2023–2024 U.S. platform adoption benchmarks, adjusted for the county’s older/rural profile and census age mix. Treat as directional ranges rather than exact counts.

Topline usage

• Adults using at least one social platform: about 65–75% of adults in the county (skews slightly lower than national due to older age mix).
• Daily use: Highest on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok among their respective user bases.

Most‑used platforms among adults (estimated reach of county adults)

• YouTube: 75–85%
• Facebook: 60–70%
• Instagram: 30–40%
• Pinterest: 30–40% (strong female skew)
• TikTok: 20–30% (very high among <35)
• Snapchat: 20–25% (concentrated in teens/20s)
• LinkedIn: 15–25% (lower than metro MN)
• X/Twitter: 15–20% (lower in rural areas)
• Reddit: 15–20% (younger/male skew)
• Nextdoor: 10–15% of households (primarily in Brainerd/Baxter neighborhoods)

Age patterns (share using at least one platform)

• Teens (13–17): ~90%+ on social; heavy YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok; Instagram strong; Facebook mainly for events/Messenger.
• 18–29: ~90–95%; multi‑platform; daily TikTok/Snap/IG; Facebook for groups/Messenger; YouTube universal.
• 30–49: ~80–85%; Facebook and YouTube dominant; Instagram and Pinterest common; TikTok moderate and rising.
• 50–64: ~65–75%; Facebook and YouTube lead; Pinterest moderate; Instagram/TikTok lower but growing.
• 65+: ~45–55%; Facebook primary; YouTube for how‑to/news; limited Instagram/TikTok.

Gender breakdown (directional)

• Facebook: slight female majority; strongest daily use among women 35+.
• Instagram: slight female tilt (especially 18–44).
• Pinterest: female‑majority audience.
• TikTok: near gender‑balanced, younger users over‑indexed.
• Snapchat: near gender‑balanced, younger users.
• YouTube: slight male tilt overall.
• Reddit and X/Twitter: male‑skewed.
• LinkedIn: slight male tilt.

Behavioral trends specific to Crow Wing County

• Community and commerce on Facebook: High engagement with local groups, buy/sell/Marketplace, school and civic updates; local government and event organizers rely on Facebook for alerts and event promotion.
• Seasonal spikes: Summer tourism and lake season drive Instagram Reels/TikTok shorts (outdoors, boating, fishing), Facebook event activity, and YouTube “things to do”/how‑to content; hunting/fishing seasons spur bursts of posting and group chatter.
• Short‑form video growth: Local businesses increasingly use TikTok/IG Reels for tours, menu items, cabins/resorts, and “before/after” services; YouTube Shorts rising.
• Messaging habits: Facebook Messenger and Snapchat are primary for local, day‑to‑day communication; group chats coordinate family, sports, and school activities.
• Shopping/Local discovery: Facebook Marketplace is a default for secondhand goods and services; Pinterest used for home/DIY; Google/YouTube for how‑to and product research; Instagram for visual discovery of eateries, events, and lake rentals.
• News and information: Residents follow local outlets and agencies on Facebook/YouTube; X/Twitter use is niche (sports, breaking news).
• Tone and engagement: High participation in neighborhood and interest groups; strong response to hyper‑local topics (road closures, weather, school, outdoors). Moderation matters to keep buy/sell and neighborhood groups civil.

Notes on methodology

• Percentages are inferred from Pew’s U.S. platform adoption rates, adjusted downward where rural/older populations tend to under‑index (Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, X) and held steady or higher where rural areas are strong (Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest).