Percentage of households with at least one computer

In 2025, the percentage of US households with at least one computer is expected to reach 96.6%. This figure represents the continuation of a slow but steady increase seen over recent years, underscored by ongoing affordability improvements and the continued necessity of computers for work, education, and entertainment. The deceleration in growth observed in 2025 is largely due to market saturation, with most households that desire a computer already owning one. For this year, growth in household computer ownership remains moderate, reflecting the limited opportunity for further expansion at near-full penetration.

Between 2020 and 2025, household computer ownership increased by 4.7 percentage points, from 91.9% in 2020 to 96.6% in 2025. Much of this growth was driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which intensified the demand for home computers due to their necessity for remote work and online learning. Affordability has also been a critical driver, as the cost of new computers continued to decline, with laptops becoming accessible for a few hundred dollars. However, as computer ownership approached saturation, the pace of annual increases has tapered in recent years. This slowdown is compounded by the widespread availability of computers in public settings such as schools, libraries, and workplaces, reducing the urgency for ownership among those who do not already own computers. Demographically, ownership has remained highest among younger, wealthier households, with households headed by a person under 50 and incomes above $100,000, surpassing 98% computer ownership. Conversely, adoption rates are lowest among households led by individuals aged 65 and older, reflecting generational differences in technology uptake.

The past five years have also seen increases in per capita disposable income, providing the average consumer greater financial capacity to purchase a computer. Meanwhile, digital inclusion initiatives and improvements in internet infrastructure have supported access to computers among lower-income groups, helping to minimize gaps in ownership rates across income brackets.

As a result, by 2025, household computer ownership is approaching its practical ceiling, with further expansion likely to proceed at only marginal rates due to high market saturation and free access in external settings. This performance reflects broader technology adoption trends and evolving patterns of digital consumption in the United States.