Adams County

Do you want figures from the 2020 Decennial Census or the latest American Community Survey (2019–2023 5-year estimates)? I can provide both, but the numbers differ slightly.

Adams County, ND snapshot (population ≈2,200; density ≈2.2 people/sq. mi., centered on Hettinger):

• Estimated email users: 1,600–1,900 residents use email at least occasionally. Basis: ACS population, plus Pew findings that most U.S. adults use email; slightly lower adoption among 65+.
• Age mix among users (approx. share of email users):
  • 18–34: 20–25% (near‑universal adoption)
  • 35–54: ~30% (≈95% adoption)
  • 55–64: 18–22% (≈90% adoption)
  • 65+: 25–30% (≈75–85% adoption)
• Gender split: Mirrors population (≈51% male, 49% female) among users.
• Digital access trends:
  • Home broadband subscription likely ~75–85% of households; fiber builds by regional co‑ops are expanding last‑mile coverage. North Dakota received ~$130M in BEAD funds (2023) to close remaining gaps.
  • Smartphone ownership is high (~85–90% of adults); 10–15% are mobile‑only for internet.
  • Connectivity is strongest in Hettinger and along US‑12; service thins on ranchlands but is improving via fiber backbones and LTE/5G infill.
  • Public Wi‑Fi (schools, library, healthcare) supplements access for non‑subscribers.

Notes: Figures are estimates extrapolated from ACS/Pew/FCC statewide and rural data to a very small, rural county profile.

Below is a concise, county-focused picture based on public datasets (ACS population and age mix), national/rural adoption research (Pew, CDC/NHIS), and typical carrier coverage patterns in rural southwest North Dakota. Exact, county-level mobile metrics aren’t directly published, so figures are modeled estimates with ranges; they’re most useful for planning and benchmarking against state-level trends.

Snapshot and user estimates

• Population base: ~2,200–2,300 residents; ~1,700–1,850 adults (ACS 2020–2023 range for Adams County).
• Adults with smartphones: ~1,300–1,500 (roughly 75–85% adult adoption, lower than ND’s overall ~85–90%).
• Total mobile phone users (incl. teens and adults with any mobile device): ~1,550–1,750.
• Wireless-only households (no landline): ~45–55% in Adams vs ~65–75% statewide. Rural co-op landline retention keeps this lower than the ND average.
• Households relying on cellular as primary home internet (mobile-broadband-only): ~12–18% in Adams vs ~8–12% statewide.

Demographic patterns shaping usage

• Older age structure: A larger 65+ share than ND overall depresses smartphone adoption and app-based usage. Estimated 65+ smartphone adoption in-county is ~55–65% vs ~60–70% statewide.
• Working-age adults (35–64) show strong mobile dependence for work, ag logistics, telehealth scheduling, and messaging, but are more likely than urban ND peers to keep a landline as backup.
• Teens/young adults mirror statewide habits (near-universal smartphone ownership), but report more coverage-related workarounds (Wi‑Fi calling, offline media, and boosters) than peers in Fargo/Bismarck/Grand Forks.

Digital infrastructure and coverage notes

• Coverage is corridor-centric: More reliable 4G/LTE in and near Hettinger and along US‑12/ND‑8; patchier service on ranchland and in draws/buttes. Residents commonly use vehicle or in‑home signal boosters.
• 5G availability is mostly low‑band and intermittent outside town centers; mid‑band 5G capacity is limited. This keeps real‑world speeds below state urban averages and affects video uplinks and telehealth quality.
• Carrier landscape: Verizon generally the most consistent rural coverage; AT&T present and improving along primary corridors (including FirstNet for public safety); T‑Mobile coverage more variable west of the Missouri, with better service near highways than in outlying sections.
• Backhaul mix includes fiber in town/along main routes and microwave links elsewhere, which can constrain peak capacity during events or harvest season traffic.

How Adams County differs from North Dakota overall

• Lower smartphone and wireless‑only adoption: Driven by older age mix and landline retention through rural telco co‑ops.
• Greater reliance on hybrids: Households often keep both mobile and landline/satellite/fixed wireless, whereas in cities mobile‑only is the norm.
• Coverage/workarounds matter more: Signal boosters, Wi‑Fi calling, and download‑first habits are notably more common than statewide averages.
• Slower, more variable mobile data: Fewer mid‑band 5G sites and sparser tower spacing produce lower median speeds and more dead zones than the ND average, which is buoyed by strong urban 5G.
• Mobile as primary home internet is more common than in ND’s cities but still constrained by signal variability; fixed fiber—where available via local providers—is preferred for telehealth/schooling.

Method in brief (for planning context)

• Started with ACS population/age mix for Adams County.
• Applied age‑specific smartphone adoption rates from recent national/rural surveys, adjusted downward 3–7 percentage points for rurality and the county’s older age structure.
• Estimated household connectivity patterns by blending CDC/NHIS wireless‑only trends with known higher landline retention in rural co‑op territories.
• Infrastructure observations reflect typical carrier footprints and rural southwest ND deployment patterns as of 2023–2024; local field checks will refine tower-level realities.

Below is a concise, best-available snapshot for Adams County, ND. Direct county-level platform data aren’t published; figures are estimates created by applying recent Pew Research national platform adoption and rural/older-skew adjustments to the county’s age profile (2020–2023 ACS). Treat as directional.

Population base

• Total residents: ~2,200
• Residents 13+: ~1,900

Overall social media users

• Estimated social users (13+): ~1,450–1,550 (about 75–80% of 13+; ~65–70% of total population)

Age breakdown (share of social users; adoption highest under 45, moderate 45–64, lower 65+)

• 13–17: ~8–10% of social users; adoption ~90–95%
• 18–29: ~16–19% of social users; adoption ~85–90%
• 30–44: ~20–22% of social users; adoption ~80–85%
• 45–64: ~32–36% of social users; adoption ~65–70%
• 65+: ~16–19% of social users; adoption ~35–45%

Gender breakdown (among social users)

• Female: ~53–56%
• Male: ~44–47% Notes: Women over-index on Facebook and Pinterest; men over-index on YouTube and Reddit. Younger men skew higher on Snapchat/Reddit; younger women on Instagram/TikTok/Pinterest.

Most-used platforms in Adams County (estimated reach among residents 13+; multi-platform use is common)

• YouTube: ~65–70%
• Facebook: ~55–62%
• Instagram: ~25–30%
• TikTok: ~22–28%
• Snapchat: ~20–25% (concentrated under 30)
• Pinterest: ~22–28% (heavily female, home/food/crafts)
• X/Twitter: ~10–13% (news/sports watchers)
• LinkedIn: ~10–15% (professionals; small base)
• Reddit: ~8–12% (younger/tech/gaming)
• Nextdoor: ~2–4% (limited local penetration)

Behavioral trends and usage patterns

• Community-first on Facebook: Heavy use of local groups (schools, churches, sports, county alerts), event posts, and Facebook Marketplace for buy/sell.
• Video for practical content: YouTube dominates for how-to, ag/ranch equipment, home repair, hunting/outdoors, and local sports highlights. Short-form Reels/Shorts/TikTok gaining traction under 35.
• Messaging over posting among youth: Snapchat and Instagram DMs are primary channels for teens/young adults; public posting is lighter.
• Trust local voices: Highest engagement on content from known people, businesses, schools, and local government; straightforward photo posts and flyers outperform polished ads.
• Timing: Peaks before work (6–8 am), lunch (11:30 am–1 pm), and evenings (7–10 pm). Weekends show strong mid-day engagement.
• Device mix: Mobile-first; desktop use is limited to work hours. Rural connectivity can depress long HD video completion outside town centers.
• Content that works: Weather and road/closure alerts, school sports updates, community events, farm/ranch tips, seasonal hunting/fishing content, and practical promotions with clear value (e.g., local deals, service openings).

Notes on methodology

• Estimates use Adams County population/age structure with rural Midwestern adjustments to national platform rates (Pew Research Center, 2021–2024 waves) and typical rural usage patterns. For campaign planning, validate with a quick local survey or platform ad-reach tests (e.g., 25–50 mile radius around Hettinger).