Elk County

Here are key demographics for Elk County, Pennsylvania (latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates):

• Population: ~30.5k
• Age:
  • Median age: ~47
  • Under 18: ~19%
  • 18–64: ~58%
  • 65+: ~23%
• Gender:
  • Female: ~50–51%
  • Male: ~49–50%
• Race/ethnicity:
  • White (non-Hispanic): ~95–96%
  • Hispanic/Latino (any race): ~1–2%
  • Black or African American: ~0.5–1%
  • Asian: ~0.4–0.8%
  • Two or more races: ~1–2%
  • Other (including American Indian/Alaska Native, NHPI): <1%
• Households:
  • Total households: ~12.7k
  • Average household size: ~2.2–2.3
  • Family households: ~65–67%
  • Married-couple families: ~52–54%
  • Nonfamily households: ~33–35%
  • Households with children under 18: ~22–25%
  • Households with someone age 65+: ~35–38%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2019–2023 5-year estimates (tables DP05, S0101, DP02).

Summary (Elk County, PA)

• Estimated email users: 20,000–23,000 residents. Method: ~30k population, older-skewing age mix; applying national adult email adoption (90%+) and slightly lower uptake among seniors.
• Age distribution effects: Email adoption is near-universal among 18–49 (93–97%), high among 50–64 (88–92%), and lower for 65+ (~75–85%). Because Elk County has a larger 65+ share than the U.S. average, overall adoption is a bit below national levels.
• Gender split: Roughly even; no meaningful difference in email use by gender is observed in national data, and local patterns are expected to mirror this.
• Digital access trends:
  • About 8 in 10 households report a home broadband subscription (ACS 5-year patterns for rural PA counties).
  • Roughly 10–15% are smartphone-only internet users; 8–12% have no home internet.
  • St. Marys and Ridgway have stronger fixed-broadband availability; outlying, forested townships see patchier service, which can suppress email use among older and lower-income households.
• Local density/connectivity facts: ~30k people across ~830 sq mi ≈ 36 residents/sq mi (sparse, rural). Terrain and low density increase last-mile costs, leading to coverage gaps compared with suburban Pennsylvania.

Sources informing estimates: U.S. Census/ACS (population, broadband), Pew Research Center (email adoption by age).

Summary of mobile phone usage in Elk County, Pennsylvania

Overview and user estimates

• Population baseline: Elk County has roughly 30,000 residents, with about 24,000–25,000 adults.
• Estimated smartphone users: 19,000–22,000 adults actively using smartphones (order-of-magnitude estimate). This is modestly lower as a share of adults than Pennsylvania’s statewide average, reflecting the county’s older age profile and rural geography.
• Mobile lines in service: Likely on the order of 25,000–35,000 active mobile lines when including feature phones, tablets, and hotspots. Households outside cable/fiber footprints are more likely to add extra lines or hotspots to compensate for limited fixed broadband.

Demographic patterns shaping usage

• Age: Elk County skews older than the state, which depresses smartphone adoption among 65+. Younger cohorts (18–44) show usage similar to statewide norms, but a larger senior segment drags down the overall rate compared with Pennsylvania as a whole.
• Income and cost sensitivity: Median household income is below the state average, contributing to higher use of budget Android devices, MVNO/prepaid plans, and slower upgrade cycles (fewer mid-band 5G-capable handsets per capita than state average).
• Household internet mix: A higher share of households relies on cellular data as a primary or backup home connection where cable/fiber is sparse, especially outside St. Marys, Ridgway, Johnsonburg, and along main corridors. This reliance is notably higher than the state average.
• Work patterns: Manufacturing, healthcare, resource industry, and field work increase demand for dependable voice/text and coverage along worksites and road corridors; less emphasis on ultra-high-speed 5G use cases common in urban Pennsylvania.

Digital infrastructure and coverage

• Carriers: All three national carriers serve the county; Verizon historically has the broadest rural footprint, with AT&T strong in select corridors and T-Mobile improving but more variable away from towns.
• 5G: Predominantly low-band 5G around St. Marys and along major roads (e.g., US‑219, PA‑120/255). Mid-band 5G capacity is spottier than the state average; mmWave is effectively absent. Many users still operate on LTE-only or low-band 5G devices.
• Terrain effects: The Allegheny Plateau’s forests and valleys create dead zones, especially in and around Elk State Forest and low-density hollows. Coverage is generally reliable in town centers and degrades quickly off-corridor—more so than statewide urban/suburban areas.
• Towers and backhaul: Fewer macro sites per square mile than Pennsylvania’s metro counties; microwave backhaul appears more common on outlying sites. Capacity upgrades lag state averages, so peak-time speeds are lower and more variable.
• Performance: Typical LTE/low-band 5G download speeds are sufficient for messaging, navigation, and standard streaming, but mid-day and evening congestion is more pronounced than statewide norms. Uplink performance can be a limiting factor for telehealth and remote work uplinks outside town centers.
• Public safety and resiliency: FirstNet/AT&T coverage prioritization improves reliability for first responders, but terrain still imposes gaps; residents report heavy reliance on Wi‑Fi calling and vehicle-mounted boosters in fringe areas.

How Elk County differs from Pennsylvania overall

• Lower overall smartphone adoption share due to older demographics and rural coverage constraints.
• Higher dependence on mobile data for home connectivity where cable/fiber are unavailable or expensive.
• Slower transition to mid-band 5G devices and plans; more LTE-only usage persists.
• Greater carrier disparity: More single-carrier households based on local coverage realities, while urban/suburban Pennsylvanians can switch freely.
• More pronounced seasonal swings: Hunting and outdoor tourism create localized congestion that is less evident at the state level.
• Wider and more persistent rural dead zones; residents use workarounds (Wi‑Fi calling, boosters) more often than the statewide average.

Data notes and sources to consult

• U.S. Census Bureau ACS (table S2802) for county-level smartphone/cellular subscription in households.
• FCC National Broadband and Mobile Coverage maps for carrier footprints and technology.
• NTIA Indicators of Broadband Need for measured mobile performance gaps.
• Carrier coverage maps and speed-test aggregators for corridor/town specifics.
• Pennsylvania broadband grant filings and local planning documents for recent tower/backhaul upgrades.

Figures above are estimates and directional patterns synthesized from rural Pennsylvania benchmarks, ACS indicators, and carrier/regulatory data; local verification (e.g., municipal plans, school districts, 911 center reports) will refine location-specific details.

Below is a concise, planning-grade snapshot of social media usage in Elk County, Pennsylvania. Because county-level platform data isn’t formally published, figures are estimates calibrated from Elk County demographics (Census/ACS), Pew Research national usage (rural/age-adjusted), and typical platform ad-reach patterns.

County snapshot

• Population: ~31,000; adults (18+): ~24,000–25,000
• Internet/smartphone access: ~75–80% household broadband; ~85%+ adult smartphone adoption
• Adults using at least one social platform: 78–82% (19,000–21,000 people)

Most-used platforms among adults (Elk County estimates)

• YouTube: 70–80% of adults
• Facebook: 65–75%
• Instagram: 25–35%
• TikTok: 25–35%
• Snapchat: 20–30% of adults; 60–75% of ages 13–24
• Pinterest: 20–25% of adults (roughly 35–45% of adult women)
• LinkedIn: 10–15%
• X (Twitter): 10–15%
• Nextdoor: 5–10% (coverage patchy; Facebook Groups fill this role)

Age-group patterns (share of each age cohort using the platform)

• Teens 13–17: YouTube 90–95%+, Snapchat 85–90%, TikTok 80–90%, Instagram ~70%, Facebook ~20–30%
• 18–24: YouTube 90%+, Instagram 70–80%, TikTok 70–80%, Snapchat 70–80%, Facebook 40–50%
• 25–44: Facebook 75–85%, YouTube 85%+, Instagram 45–55%, TikTok 35–45%, Snapchat 30–40%
• 45–64: Facebook 70–80%, YouTube 70–80%, Pinterest 30–40% (women), TikTok 20–30%
• 65+: Facebook 55–65%, YouTube 50–60%, Pinterest 15–25% (women), TikTok 10–20%

Gender breakdown (approx.)

• Overall social users: ~52–55% female, ~45–48% male
• Platform tilts: Facebook slight female skew; Instagram/TikTok female-skewed; Pinterest heavily female; YouTube slightly male-skewed; Snapchat female-skewed

Behavioral trends to know

• Facebook is the community hub: Local news, school sports, volunteer fire companies, churches, civic groups, and buy/sell/trade groups. Marketplace is heavily used for vehicles, tools, outdoor gear.
• Video is rising fast: Short vertical clips (Reels/TikTok) get strong reach; practical DIY, hunting/fishing, outdoor, auto repair, and family-friendly content perform best. YouTube used for longer DIY and “how-to” content.
• Local identity matters: Photos with recognizable places (St. Marys, Ridgway, Johnsonburg, Benezette/elk viewing) and real local faces drive higher engagement. Shares/comments fuel reach more than link clicks.
• Timing: Engagement peaks 6–9 pm on weekdays; weekend mornings are solid. Weather events, school closures, high school sports nights, hunting season, and county fairs drive spikes.
• Messaging: Facebook Messenger is the default for inquiries; WhatsApp usage is comparatively low. Many still prefer phone calls after initial DM.
• Commerce: Strong response to limited-time offers, giveaways, and clear “visit in-store” CTAs; geo-targeting 10–25 miles around St. Marys/Ridgway captures most residents.
• Platform roles:
  • Facebook/Groups for community coordination and events
  • Instagram for younger adults’ visuals; Stories/Reels consumption outpaces posting
  • TikTok growing among 25–44 for entertainment and local creators
  • Snapchat concentrated among high school/college-age for private/social circles
  • Pinterest seasonal spikes (holidays, cabin/camp projects, recipes)
  • LinkedIn small but relevant for manufacturing/healthcare hiring and local employers

Notes on methodology

• Estimates reflect Elk County’s older, rural-leaning age mix applied to Pew Research social platform usage, combined with typical rural PA adoption patterns and platform ad-reach benchmarks. Use these as directional planning numbers; validate campaign targeting with current platform reach tools.