Dundy County

Do you want 2020 Decennial Census counts or the latest ACS 5-year estimates (e.g., 2018–2022)? The figures differ slightly; I can provide both if you’d like.

Summary for Dundy County, Nebraska (estimates based on 2020–2023 rural U.S./Nebraska benchmarks and county size)

• Population/context: 1,700 residents spread over ~920 sq mi (2 people per sq mi), making last‑mile connectivity costly and spotty in places.
• Estimated email users: 1,200–1,300 residents use email at least occasionally.
• Age distribution (share of email users):
  • 13–17: 4–6%
  • 18–29: 12–15%
  • 30–49: 30–35%
  • 50–64: 25–30%
  • 65+: 20–25% (usage rates lower than younger groups but rising)
• Gender split among users: roughly even (about 49–51% either way).
• Digital access trends:
  • 70–80% of households have a home broadband subscription; 10–15% are mobile‑only; 5–10% rely on fixed wireless or satellite.
  • Fixed broadband coverage is improving but remains inconsistent outside town centers; 5G is limited, LTE covers highways and towns.
  • Public access points (library/schools) and Wi‑Fi in civic buildings help bridge gaps.
  • Seniors and low‑income households show lower adoption; affordability and device availability are key barriers.

Overall: Email usage is widespread and near‑universal among working‑age adults; connectivity constraints reflect very low population density rather than lack of interest.

Mobile phone usage in Dundy County, Nebraska — summary and how it differs from statewide patterns

User estimates (clearly labeled as estimates)

• Population baseline: roughly 1.6–1.7k residents. About 1.45–1.50k are age 13+.
• Any mobile phone (smartphone or basic): about 1,350–1,450 users (≈90–95% of residents age 13+).
• Smartphone users: about 1,100–1,250 (≈75–85% of residents age 13+). Lower than Nebraska’s statewide adult smartphone share (typically mid-to-upper 80s).
• Feature phone users: concentrated among older adults; roughly 200–250 people likely use non‑smartphones, noticeably higher share than statewide.

Demographic breakdown and usage patterns

• Age structure: Dundy skews older (seniors ≈25%+ of residents). Senior smartphone adoption lags (≈55–60%), pulling down overall adoption compared with Nebraska’s younger, more urban mix.
• Youth/young adults: Teens and 18–29s are near-par with state norms (≈90%+ smartphone ownership), but the small cohort size limits countywide impact.
• Income and plans: Lower median incomes and long travel distances push cost-sensitive choices—more Android than iPhone, more prepaid/MVNO lines, and tighter data plan management than in metro Nebraska.
• Work and lifestyle: Agriculture drives heavy use of voice/SMS, weather/market apps, telematics, and hotspotting in fields. Wi‑Fi calling and signal boosters are common to overcome metal buildings and distance to towers.

Digital infrastructure and coverage (rural-specific)

• Macro sites: Sparse network—on the order of 5–10 macro towers countywide across carriers. Coverage is oriented to towns (e.g., Benkelman), highways (US‑34/6), and high points; river valleys and low spots see dead zones.
• Carrier mix:
  • Verizon typically strongest for breadth of rural LTE; AT&T service is present with improving FirstNet buildouts; T‑Mobile’s low‑band reaches corridors but indoor/valley coverage can be patchy away from towns.
  • Cross‑border roaming into Colorado/Kansas sites occurs near county edges.
• 5G availability: Predominantly low‑band 5G (DSS/600–700 MHz) with limited mid‑band capacity; mmWave is absent. Many users remain on LTE-only devices/plans.
• Backhaul: Fiber reaches town centers and some highway corridors; many remote sites rely on microwave. Weather or power events can create localized slowdowns/outages.
• Home internet interplay: Higher reliance on fixed wireless, LTE/5G home internet, and satellite than statewide. Smartphone‑only households exist but skew to younger/low‑income; older households often keep legacy DSL or satellite.

How Dundy County trends differ from Nebraska overall

• Lower overall smartphone penetration and a higher share of flip/basic phones due to older age profile and cost sensitivity.
• More LTE‑centric experience; 5G mid‑band capacity that’s common in Omaha/Lincoln and the I‑80 corridor is sparse in Dundy.
• Greater dependence on signal boosters, Wi‑Fi calling, and outdoor/vehicle antennas to achieve reliable service.
• Higher share of Verizon‑based users/MVNOs for coverage; T‑Mobile presence is narrower than in urban Nebraska; AT&T valued by public safety (FirstNet) but still variable outside corridors.
• Data usage per line tends to be lower on average (coverage/cap constraints), with seasonal spikes during planting/harvest from ag telematics and hotspotting.
• More households using mobile or fixed wireless as primary internet access compared to fiber-centric urban areas.

Notes on method and sources

• Estimates combine 2020–2023 Census/ACS population structure for rural Nebraska, Pew Research smartphone ownership by age (2023), and typical rural adoption discounts, plus FCC carrier coverage patterns observed in 2023–2024. Figures are presented as ranges to reflect uncertainty at small population scales.

Below is a concise, best-effort estimate. Direct, platform-by-platform stats are not published at the county level; figures are modeled from Dundy County’s population (about 1,650 residents; roughly 1,300 adults), Pew Research Center’s 2024 platform usage, and rural-usage adjustments. Percentages refer to adults; ranges reflect uncertainty. Platform audiences overlap.

Overall usage

• Adults using at least one social platform: about 70–78% (≈900–1,050 people)
• Access context: rural broadband adoption is lower than national averages; a noticeable share is smartphone‑only. Usage skews toward evenings and early mornings.

Most‑used platforms (share of adults; rough counts in a county this size)

• YouTube: 72–78% (≈940–1,015)
• Facebook: 70–75% (≈910–975)
• Instagram: 35–40% (≈455–520)
• TikTok: 25–30% (≈325–390)
• Pinterest: 25–28% (≈325–365)
• Snapchat: 20–25% (≈260–325)
• X/Twitter: 15–20% (≈195–260)
• LinkedIn: 10–15% (≈130–195)
• Reddit: 10–12% (≈130–155)

Age patterns (who uses what, directionally)

• Teens (13–17): Heavy Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube; Instagram common; Facebook mainly for events/school info.
• 18–34: Very high YouTube; strong Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat; Facebook used but less central than for older groups.
• 35–49: Facebook and YouTube dominate; Instagram moderate; TikTok/Pinterest used, especially among women.
• 50–64: Facebook first, YouTube second; lighter Instagram/TikTok.
• 65+: Facebook leads; YouTube moderate; others low.

Gender trends (typical skews)

• Facebook: balanced user base; engagement tilts female (groups, school/church updates, events).
• Instagram: slight female tilt.
• Pinterest: strongly female.
• YouTube: tilts male overall.
• X/Twitter and Reddit: tilt male.
• Snapchat: balanced to slight female tilt among younger users.

Behavioral trends in Dundy County (rural Great Plains patterns)

• Facebook is the community hub: local groups, school athletics, churches, county/city notices, obituaries, events, and Marketplace/buy‑sell‑trade dominate activity.
• Messaging: Facebook Messenger and Snapchat are primary; WhatsApp/Telegram are niche.
• Agriculture and outdoors: strong followership for co‑ops, equipment dealers, seed/chemical reps, weather, and commodity pages; YouTube is heavily used for how‑to/repair and product reviews.
• Local business marketing: boosted Facebook posts and Events outperform complex ad campaigns; cross‑posting Instagram → Facebook is common.
• Timing and seasonality: peaks before chores/school (early morning) and after dinner; usage dips during planting/harvest daytime and spikes during severe weather.
• Content style: high consumption/low posting; people prefer sharing from trusted local sources over creating original posts; privacy settings are commonly locked down.
• Trust signals: real‑name, known locals and institutions get higher engagement; skepticism toward anonymous pages is higher than in urban settings.

Sources and method note: U.S. Census Bureau (population/age structure) and Pew Research Center 2024 U.S. social media use, adjusted for rural patterns. Treat figures as directional, not exact counts.