Children Living in Households with a Broadband-Connected Device, by Race/Ethnicity
Download & Other Tools
Download & Other Tools
- Definition: Estimated percentage of children ages 0-17 living in households with a desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone, or other computer connected to high-speed internet service, by race/ethnicity (e.g., in 2018, 89.8% of Hispanic/Latino children in California lived in households with a broadband-connected device).
- Data Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey public use microdata (Jun. 2020).
- Footnote: Race/ethnicity groups are mutually exclusive (i.e., African American/black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, white, and multiracial categories exclude Hispanic/Latino ethnicity). Data are for paid broadband subscriptions only. These estimates are based on a survey of the population and are subject to both sampling and nonsampling error. The notation S refers to estimates that have been suppressed because the margin of error was greater than 5 percentage points. N/A means that data are not available.
Learn More About Housing Affordability and Resources
- Measures of Housing Affordability and Resources on Kidsdata.org
-
Kidsdata.org provides four measures related to housing affordability and resources:
- Fair Market Rent, by Unit Size: Estimated monthly cost of rent and tenant-paid utilities in standard-quality rental housing.
- Households with a High Housing Cost Burden: Estimated percentage of households that spend at least 30% of household income on housing costs.
- Children Living in Crowded Households: Estimated percentage of children ages 0-17 living in households with more than one person per room of the home.
- Children Living in Households with a Broadband-Connected Device: Estimated percentage of children ages 0-17 living in households with a desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone, or other computer connected to high-speed internet service. This measure is provided for children in households overall, by age group, household English proficiency, income level, number of parents in the home, and race/ethnicity.
Measures of households with a high housing cost burden, children in crowded households, and children in households with broadband-connected devices are available for:- Counties and county groups, as single-year estimates
- Cities, school districts, and counties with 10,000+ residents, as 5-year estimates
-
- Housing Affordability and Resources
- Family Income and Poverty
-
- Children in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity
- Children in Deep Poverty
- Median Family Income, by Family Type
- Income Level for Children Relative to Poverty
- Income Level for Children Relative to Poverty, by Family Type
- Children Living in Low-Income Working Families
- Children in Poverty - Supplemental Poverty Measure (California & U.S. Only)
- Poverty Thresholds - California Poverty Measure, by Family Composition and Housing Tenure
- Children in Poverty - California Poverty Measure
- Children in Deep Poverty - California Poverty Measure
- Poverty-Reducing Effects of the Social Safety Net - California Poverty Measure, by Program Type and Poverty Level (California Only)
- Self-Sufficiency Standard, by Family Composition
- Families Living Below Self-Sufficiency Standard
- Children Participating in CalWORKs
- Family Structure
- Food Security
- Homelessness
- Childhood Adversity and Resilience
-
- Children with Adverse Experiences (Parent Reported), by Number (CA & U.S. Only)
- Children with Adverse Experiences (Parent Reported), by Type (CA & U.S. Only)
- Prevalence of Childhood Hardships (Maternal Retrospective)
- Basic Needs Not Met (Maternal Retrospective)
- Moved Due to Problems Paying Rent or Mortgage (Maternal Retrospective)
- Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (Adult Retrospective; CA Only)
- Unemployment
- Why This Topic Is Important
-
Housing plays a critical role in children's health and well being, beyond providing immediate shelter (1, 2). Children and families need affordable, stable, safe homes, adequate household resources, healthy neighborhoods, and access to quality opportunities, education, and services—all of these factors are intricately connected and influence life outcomes at all ages (1, 2). However, housing system inequities persist, limiting access to safe, affordable housing and related resources for vulnerable groups, including low-income families, people of color, and those with disabilities (2, 3).
California housing is among the most costly in the nation, so finding affordable housing is a significant challenge for many of the state's middle- and low-income families (4). Housing typically is considered affordable if it comprises less than 30% of a family's income (5). According to 2018 estimates, only 39% of low-income children in the U.S. and 26% of low-income children in California lived in affordable housing (5). Families that spend more than 30% of their income on housing may struggle to afford other essential items, such as food and health care (5). They also may not be able to afford important household resources, such as broadband-connected devices, which are increasingly critical for education, employment, access to health and mental health care, social connections, and other family needs (6, 7).
In some cases, a lack of affordable housing can result in families living in crowded households (8). Residential crowding is associated with poor health outcomes, including infectious disease transmission, poor educational attainment, and mental health problems (8). Even when families are not in crowded homes, unaffordable or unstable housing can diminish a child's opportunities for educational success due to increased chances of moving, changing schools, and disrupting instruction (2).For more information, please see kidsdata.org’s Research & Links section.
Sources for this narrative:
1. Millet, S. (2020). Housing plays key role in people's health and well-being. Pew Charitable Trusts. Retrieved from: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/03/18/housing-plays-key-role-in-peoples-health-and-well-being
2. Brennan, M., & Galvez, M. (2017). Housing as a platform: Strengthening the foundation for well-being. Urban Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.urban.org/research/publication/housing-platform
3. California Department of Housing and Community Development. (2020). Final 2020 analysis of impediments to fair housing choice. Retrieved from: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/policy-research/plans-reports/index.shtml#aifh
4. Johnson, H., et al. (2020). California's future: Housing. Public Policy Institute of California. Retrieved from: https://www.ppic.org/publication/californias-future-housing
5. KIDS COUNT Data Center. (2020). Children in low-income households with a high housing cost burden. Annie E. Casey Foundation. Retrieved from: https://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/tables/71?loc=6&loct=2#detailed/2/6/true/37/any/377
6. Goss, J., et al. (2019). California's digital divide. Public Policy Institute of California. Retrieved from: https://www.ppic.org/publication/californias-digital-divide
7. Wheeler, T. (2020). Five steps to get the internet to all Americans. Brookings Institution. Retrieved from: https://www.brookings.edu/research/5-steps-to-get-the-internet-to-all-americans
8. Howden-Chapman, P., et al. (2018). Household crowding. In World Health Organization, WHO Housing and Health Guidelines. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-housing-and-health-guidelines - How Children Are Faring
-
Fair market rents vary widely across California regions, from $770 (Modoc County) to $3,339 (Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties) per month for a two-bedroom unit in fiscal year 2020.
In 2018, an estimated 42% of California households were housing cost-burdened, meaning they spent at least 30% of income on housing. This figure is down from 48% in 2007 but remains higher than national estimates which were 38% or lower over this period. Among counties with data in 2014-2018, estimates ranged from 28% (Lassen) to 48% (Los Angeles) of households experiencing a high housing cost burden.
The share of California children living in crowded households (i.e., in homes with more than one person per room) was 28% in 2018, twice the estimate for children nationwide. Similar to other housing and economic measures, percentages vary at the local level; for example, across California cities, school districts, and legislative districts with data in 2014-2018, the proportion of children experiencing household overcrowding ranged from fewer than 1 in 50 to more than 2 in 3.
According to 2018 estimates, 93% of California children lived in households with a device connected to high-speed internet service, similar to 91% nationally. Children's internet access at home varies by region and demographic characteristics, with children in higher-income households, those living with two parents, and Asian American and white children more likely to have broadband-connected devices in the home than children in other groups. In 2018, 81% of California children living in limited English-speaking households had a broadband-connected device at home, compared with 94% in English proficient households. - Policy Implications
-
Affordable, stable, safe housing and adequate household resources are key factors that influence children's health and well being (1, 2). Access to affordable housing is a serious challenge for many families in California, with the state's housing costs among the highest in the nation (3). Certain vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected by the state's extremely limited supply of affordable housing, particularly lower-income families, those in rural areas, people of color, and those with disabilities (2, 4). Policies to improve affordable housing can help mitigate family poverty, promote equity, reduce household overcrowding, improve health, and increase family stability (1, 2).
California policymakers recently enacted a host of policy changes to improve the affordability and supply of housing, and both state and local governments have expanded funding to address high housing costs and homelessness (3). While these are significant steps forward, continued efforts, investments, and coordination across sectors and levels of government will be needed to address the state's housing problems.
In addition to the challenges of obtaining affordable housing, many California families have limited resources at home, including access to high-speed internet, which is increasingly critical for education, employment, health care, social connections, and other important needs and services (5, 6). Policymakers can work to reduce this digital divide and ensure that all children and families have equitable opportunities for success.
Policy options that could improve housing affordability and resources, and promote the well being of children and families include:- Maintaining and expanding policies that incentivize the development of new housing for low-income populations; as part of this, supporting changes to zoning and other regulations to help reduce costs for new housing construction (3)
- Establishing adequate, permanent state funding to support affordable housing and infrastructure-related investments, and to preserve and rehabilitate existing affordable rental properties (7, 8)
- Continuing to improve the efficiency of state and federal housing programs while removing barriers to participation (7, 8, 9)
- Increasing federal funding for affordable housing solutions such as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, and capital investments in affordable rentals and public housing (10)
- Continuing to pursue targeted strategies to address housing system inequities and barriers that cause vulnerable groups (e.g., families of color, people with disabilities, and low-income families) to disproportionately experience housing problems (2, 4)
- Strengthening cross-sector collaboration in order to better identify families and youth at risk of homelessness and intervene early with coordinated government and community housing programs that offer case management and supportive services, housing subsidies or cash assistance, and eviction prevention services (2, 11)
- Supporting and expanding state and federal efforts to ensure that high-speed internet is accessible and affordable to all households; for example, maximizing public-private initiatives like the California Bridging the Digital Divide Fund, and promoting federal solutions such as congressional action to improve the Lifeline program (5, 6, 12)
For more information, visit kidsdata.org’s Research & Links section or the California Housing Partnership and Corporation for Supportive Housing. Also see Policy Implications for Homelessness, Family Income and Poverty, and related topics under the Family Economics category on kidsdata.org.
Sources for this narrative:
1. Millet, S. (2020). Housing plays key role in people's health and well-being. Pew Charitable Trusts. Retrieved from: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/03/18/housing-plays-key-role-in-peoples-health-and-well-being
2. Brennan, M., & Galvez, M. (2017). Housing as a platform: Strengthening the foundation for well-being. Urban Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.urban.org/research/publication/housing-platform
3. Johnson, H., et al. (2020). California's future: Housing. Public Policy Institute of California. Retrieved from: https://www.ppic.org/publication/californias-future-housing
4. California Department of Housing and Community Development. (2020). Final 2020 analysis of impediments to fair housing choice. Retrieved from: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/policy-research/plans-reports/index.shtml#aifh
5. Goss, J., et al. (2019). California's digital divide. Public Policy Institute of California. Retrieved from: https://www.ppic.org/publication/californias-digital-divide
6. Wheeler, T. (2020). Five steps to get the internet to all Americans. Brookings Institution. Retrieved from: https://www.brookings.edu/research/5-steps-to-get-the-internet-to-all-americans
7. Mazzella, D., & Rosenfeld, L. (2020). California affordable housing needs report. California Housing Partnership. Retrieved from: https://chpc.net/resources/2020-statewide-housing-needs-report
8. California Department of Housing and Community Development. (2020). Final 2020 analysis of impediments to fair housing choice. Retrieved from: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/policy-research/plans-reports/index.shtml#aifh
9. U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. (2019). Affordable housing. Retrieved from: https://www.usich.gov/solutions/housing/affordable-housing
10. Aurand, A., et al. (2020). Out of reach 2020. National Low Income Housing Coalition. Retrieved from: https://reports.nlihc.org/sites/default/files/oor/OOR_2020.pdf
11. Levin, M., & Botts, J. (2020). California's homelessness crisis – and possible solutions – explained. CalMatters. Retrieved from: https://calmatters.org/explainers/californias-homelessness-crisis-explained
12. Johnson, S. (2020). Long road ahead to close California's digital divide in education before new school year begins. EdSource. Retrieved from: https://edsource.org/2020/long-road-ahead-to-close-californias-digital-divide-in-education-before-new-school-year-begins/634688 - Research & Links
-
- Websites with Related Information
-
- California Budget and Policy Center: Housing and Homelessness
- California Dept. of Housing and Community Development
- California Housing Consortium
- California Housing Partnership
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: Housing
- Corporation for Supportive Housing
- Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies: Affordability
- Housing California
- Housing Matters. Urban Institute.
- Linc Housing Corporation
- National Housing Conference
- National Low Income Housing Coalition
- Pew Charitable Trusts: Broadband Access Initiative
- U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
- U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness
- Urban Institute: Housing Finance
- Key Reports and Research
-
- A Home for Every Californian: 2022 Statewide Housing Plan. (2022). California Dept. of Housing and Community Development.
- America’s Housing Is Getting More Crowded. How Will That Affect Children? (2019). Urban Institute. Solari, C. D.
- America’s Rental Housing 2022. Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.
- An Update on the Portrait of Promise: Demographic Report on Health and Mental Health Equity in California. (2020). California Dept. of Public Health, Office of Health Equity.
- California Affordable Housing Needs Report. (2023). California Housing Partnership. Mazzella, D. M.
- California’s Digital Divide. (2022). Public Policy Institute of California. Hayes, J., et al.
- California’s Homelessness Crisis – and Possible Solutions – Explained. (2022). CalMatters. Levin, M., et al.
- California's Future: Housing. (2020). Public Policy Institute of California. Johnson, H., et al.
- Community Strategies to Address California’s Digital Divide and Its Impact on Children and Families. (2022). PACEs Connection, & California Essentials for Childhood Initiative. California Dept. of Public Health & California Dept. of Social Services.
- Cost, Crowding, or Commuting? Housing Stress on the Middle Class. (2019). Brookings Institution. Schuetz, J.
- Family Residential Instability: What Can States and Localities Do? (2018). Urban Institute. Theodos, B., et al.
- Five Facts About Affordable Rental Housing That Matter for Broadband. (2023). Pew Charitable Trusts. Read, A., & Wert, K.
- Housing and Child Well Being: Implications for Research, Policy, and Practice. (2017). American Journal of Community Psychology. Fowler, P. J., & Farrell, A. F.
- Housing as a Platform: Strengthening the Foundation for Well-Being. (2017). Urban Institute. Brennan, M., & Galvez, M.
- LGBT People and Housing Affordability, Discrimination, and Homelessness. (2020). Williams Institute. Romero, A. P., et al.
- Nearly One-in-Five Teens Can’t Always Finish Their Homework Because of the Digital Divide. (2018). Pew Research Center. Anderson, M., & Perrin, A.
- Roadmap 2030: A Roadmap to Thriving Communities for California. (2021). Housing California & California Housing Partnership.
- The Importance of Housing Affordability and Stability for Preventing and Ending Homelessness. (2019). U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness
- Unstable Housing and Caregiver and Child Health in Renter Families. (2018). Pediatrics. Sandel, M., et al.
- Who Is Experiencing Housing Hardship in California? (2022). California Budget and Policy Center. Mesquita, A., & Kimberlin, S.
- County/Regional Reports
-
- Annual Report on the Conditions of Children in Orange County. Orange County Children's Partnership.
- Community Health Improvement Plan for Los Angeles County. Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health.
- Important Facts About Kern’s Children. Kern County Network for Children.
- Live Well San Diego Report Card on Children, Families, and Community. The Children’s Initiative.
- Orange County Community Indicators Report. Orange County Business Council, et al.
- Rising Housing Costs and Re-Segregation in the San Francisco Bay Area. (2019). Urban Displacement Project & California Housing Partnership.
- Spotlight on the Inland Empire. (2021). Measure of America. Lewis, K.
- More Data Sources For Housing Affordability and Resources
-
- 2022 KIDS COUNT Data Book: State Trends in Child Well-Being. Annie E. Casey Foundation.
- American Housing Survey. United States Census Bureau.
- California Family Needs Calculator. Insight Center for Community Economic Development.
- California Health and Human Services Open Data Portal. California Health and Human Services Agency.
- California Housing Partnership: Data Tools
- Childstats.gov. Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics.
- Housing Open Data Tools. California Department of Housing and Community Development.
- Mapping the Digital Divide in California. (2022). Education Trust-West.
- Out of Reach. National Low Income Housing Coalition.
- The Well-Being and Basic Needs Survey. Urban Institute.
Receive Kidsdata News
New and notable data findings delivered regularly to your inbox.