Anderson County

Which source/year would you like? I can summarize using:

• 2023 ACS 1-year estimates (latest annual survey for areas ≥65k, best for current demographics), or
• 2020 Decennial Census (exact counts as of April 1, 2020).

If you don’t specify, I’ll use 2023 ACS 1-year and report population, median age, sex split, race/ethnicity, and key household metrics (count, average size, family share, tenure).

Anderson County, TN — estimated email usage snapshot

• Estimated email users: 60,000–70,000 residents (out of ~78,000), derived from ACS population and Pew findings that email use is near-universal among internet users.
• Age distribution (approximate adoption among adults):
  • 18–29: ~95–99%
  • 30–49: ~95–99%
  • 50–64: ~90–95%
  • 65+: ~70–85% (lower daily use vs. younger groups)
• Gender split: Roughly even; national data show minimal male–female differences in email adoption.
• Digital access trends:
  • Households with a broadband subscription: roughly mid-80s% (in line with ACS figures for Tennessee).
  • Mobile-only internet households: ~10–15%.
  • Fixed broadband availability is strong in population centers; adoption is slightly lower than availability, reflecting cost/plan choice.
• Local density/connectivity facts:
  • Population is concentrated along the Oak Ridge–Clinton corridor, where cable/fiber coverage is broad and speeds are higher.
  • Northern/eastern rural pockets (e.g., around Norris, Rocky Top, Andersonville and lake/foothill areas) see more variable wireline options; some residents rely on cellular or satellite.
  • Presence of major research/industrial employers in Oak Ridge supports higher digital engagement and workplace email use.

Notes: Estimates blend U.S. Census Bureau ACS and Pew Research Center benchmarks applied to local population.

Mobile phone usage in Anderson County, Tennessee — 2024 snapshot with county-versus-state highlights

User estimates

• Population baseline: roughly 77–80k residents; about 60k are adults.
• Smartphone users: approximately 50–55k adult residents (about 83–90% of adults), plus several thousand teens with phones. Total mobile users (any handset) likely 60–65k.
• Internet via mobile only: estimated 15–18% of households use a cellular data plan as their primary/only internet, lower than Tennessee’s 20–25% statewide share. This reflects stronger fixed broadband options around Oak Ridge/Clinton.
• Multi-line/work phones: a higher-than-state share of residents carry both personal and employer-issued devices, driven by the Oak Ridge federal/contractor workforce; this lifts lines-per-capita above the Tennessee average.

Demographic patterns (what’s different from the state)

• Education and income split: The Oak Ridge area’s higher education and income levels correlate with earlier adoption of 5G-capable devices and heavier app/data use than the Tennessee average, while rural northern/western parts of the county look more like the state’s rural profile.
• Age structure: Anderson County skews slightly older than the state median age. Seniors are less likely to own smartphones than prime-age adults, but the Oak Ridge professional cluster narrows this age gap versus comparable rural counties in Tennessee.
• Urban–rural divide inside the county: Oak Ridge, Clinton, Norris, and the I‑75 corridor show device ownership and data consumption closer to Knoxville-metro norms; communities in hill/valley terrain to the north and northwest show more prepaid usage, weaker indoor signal, and greater reliance on low-band spectrum—though still better than many rural Appalachian counties.

Digital infrastructure and coverage

• 5G availability: AT&T, Verizon, and T‑Mobile all provide 5G in population centers (Oak Ridge, Clinton, Norris) and along I‑75. Mid-band 5G (T‑Mobile 2.5 GHz) and C‑band (Verizon/AT&T) are present in and around Oak Ridge/Clinton, giving faster median speeds than typical rural Tennessee counties. Outside these areas, low-band 5G/LTE dominates.
• LTE baseline: Countywide 4G LTE coverage is strong along highways and towns; signal weak spots persist in wooded hollows and ridge-shadowed areas in the county’s north and northwest.
• Backhaul and fiber: The Oak Ridge National Laboratory/DOE presence and municipal/utility fiber in Oak Ridge provide unusually robust fiber backhaul for a county of this size, supporting denser cell capacity and small-cell infill than is typical in rural Tennessee.
• Fixed Wireless Access (FWA): 5G home internet from Verizon and T‑Mobile is available in and around Oak Ridge/Clinton and some suburban fringes; adoption is moderate and often used where cable/fiber is limited or price-sensitive.
• Public safety: AT&T FirstNet coverage is strong around DOE/ORNL facilities and main corridors; this contributes to generally better redundancy than many rural counties.

How Anderson County differs from Tennessee overall

• Higher 5G access and capacity in core areas than most non-metro Tennessee counties, due to Knoxville-MSA spillover and DOE-driven fiber backhaul.
• Lower share of mobile-only internet households than the state average, thanks to comparatively good fixed broadband options in Oak Ridge/Clinton.
• More dual-device (work + personal) users and higher lines-per-capita than state norms, tied to the federal/contractor workforce.
• Coverage gaps still exist in rugged terrain, but they are less extensive than in many East Tennessee rural counties.

Notes on methodology

• Estimates synthesize 2018–2022 ACS Computer & Internet Use indicators at the county level, FCC/industry coverage data, provider 5G rollouts through 2024, and Census population estimates. Figures are presented as ranges to reflect data lags and intra-county variation.

Below is a concise, data-informed snapshot for Anderson County, TN. Figures are local estimates modeled from U.S. Census Bureau population data and recent Pew Research Center platform-usage rates for U.S. adults; use as directional, not exact counts.

Size of the social audience

• Population: ~78,000 (2023 est.)
• Estimated social media users (any platform): ~54,000–58,000 (about 70–75% of total population; roughly 77–82% of adults)

Age profile (estimated adoption by adults)

• 18–29: 90%+ use at least one platform
• 30–49: ~85–90%
• 50–64: ~70–75%
• 65+: ~45–55% Trends by age:
• Teens/20s: TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube heavy; messaging-first behavior; short-form video dominant
• 30s/40s: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube; growing Reels/Shorts consumption; marketplace and local groups
• 50+: Facebook and YouTube anchor usage; news, local info, church/community content; Pinterest for projects

Gender breakdown

• Overall users mirror county mix: ~51% women, ~49% men
• Platform skews:
  • Pinterest: strongly female
  • Instagram, TikTok: slight female tilt
  • Reddit and X (Twitter): skew male
  • Facebook, YouTube: broadly balanced (Facebook slightly female)

Most-used platforms among adults (local estimates, share of adults)

• YouTube: ~80–83%
• Facebook: ~65–70%
• Instagram: ~45–50%
• Pinterest: ~30–36%
• TikTok: ~30–35%
• LinkedIn: ~28–32% (pockets of higher usage around Oak Ridge/tech employers)
• Snapchat: ~25–30%
• X (Twitter): ~20–23%
• Reddit: ~20–23% Note: Rankings reflect adult usage; among teens/under-30, TikTok/Snapchat rise relative to Facebook.

Behavioral and content trends

• Community-first behavior: High engagement with local Facebook Groups (buy/sell/trade, schools, youth sports, churches, events), city/county agencies, and weather updates. Nextdoor present in some neighborhoods but not universal.
• Video rules: Short-form (Reels/Shorts/TikTok) drives discovery; YouTube used for how-to/DIY, outdoor rec (Norris Lake, Windrock), home projects, church services, local government streams.
• Commerce/use cases: Facebook Marketplace is a key utility; Instagram for local eateries, boutiques, salons; Pinterest for home/craft/outdoor planning.
• Timing: Evenings (7–9 pm) and weekend mornings typically see higher engagement; severe-weather or school updates spike real-time activity.
• Messaging layer: Facebook Messenger and Snapchat are primary private channels; many small businesses rely on Messenger for inquiries.
• Trust signals: Content featuring recognizable local faces, schools, churches, and civic groups outperforms; event-based posts and before/after project visuals perform well.
• Sports/culture: UT Vols and regional sports/news drive bursts of activity, particularly on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

Method note

• Population: U.S. Census Bureau estimates for Anderson County.
• Platform adoption: Pew Research Center (2023–2024) U.S. adult platform usage rates applied to local adult population; youth tendencies drawn from Pew teen studies and market norms. Percentages are approximations for planning.