Bridging the Gap: Kansas Tackles Digital Divide through Investment and Access
While a lightning fast internet connection may not be necessary to recognize the disparities fueling Kansas’ digital divide, it is clear that income, education and location play a significant role. Recognizing this disparity, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Kansas Health Institute’s recent research paints a stark picture using online county-by-county maps, revealing the intertwined nature of broadband deficits with social and demographic influences.
Socioeconomic Disparities Drive Limited Access
Thirty-one percent of low-income Kansas households making less than $20,000 annually lack access to high-speed broadband. While only 4.5% of Kansas households earning more than $75,000 share the same predicament. Those findings, released by KHI, highlight the significance of economic factors in exacerbating the digital divide. Kaci Cink, an analyst with KHI, notes that Kansans able to connect reliably to broadband have increased opportunities to download, browse, and stream content benefiting from the advantages of a connected society.
“Kansans use broadband to engage with health care providers and access vital, health-related information. Not having reliable connectivity creates significant barriers to health care access, a reality acutely felt by those who may need it most,” Cink explained.
The scarcity of computers and digital literacy also contributes to the divide. According to KHI’s report, one in 20 Kansas households or 5.8%, lacked computer access. Kansans possessing a bachelor’s degree in college are eight times more likely to have a computer than their counterparts without high school diplomas.
Rural Communities Face the Biggest Hurdles
Considerable accessibility gaps are evident in communities with aging populations.
One in 10 Kansans age 65 and older – 11.8% – lack access to computers, making online resources less accessible to seniors.
Across the state, one in 10 households, or 12%, lack broadband service. This gap widens significantly in rural areas where lack of infrastructure elevates the cost of delivering high-speed internet.
“Delivering broadband to rural communities is critically important for their success and overall growth,” emphasized Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover
To illustrate this divide, KHI developed an interactive digital divide dashboard based on 2022 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The interactive tool paints a picture of computer ownership and broadband access across all 105 Kansas counties, offering detailed breakdowns by age, race, ethnicity, employment, education and income.
Examples from the dashboard highlight the disparities across the state.
For example, computer access varies greatly between contrasting counties: Riley had 2.4% households lack access while Jewell has 15.7%.
Broadband connectivity also presented striking gaps. Johnson County had 5% without online access while Lincoln County showed a much higher rate, with 26.2% lacking broadband connections.
Tackling the Digital Divide Through Funding and Solutions
Financed by a $452 million federal grant, the newly launched Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program aims to expand broadband infrastructure throughout Kansas.
Kelly, continuing a commitment to address the digital divide by investing specific funds in underserved communities.In 2020, $85 million in funding was allocated to the Broadband Acceleration Grant to the benefit of Kansas communities with a particular emphasis on economically distressed regions.
“Broadband drives innovation, unlocks potential, and ensures everyone can participate in services essential for economic, educational, and industrial growth,” Governor Laura Kelly emphasized during a July announcement. In that same announcement, Kelly confirmed the recent dispersal of $10 million in grants awarded to a dozen internet providers.
