Study: More than 30% of Rural Households Struggle with Internet Insecurity

Chris McGovern from Connected Nation joined us Tuesday to break down the findings and discuss their implications for rural America.

WASHINGTON (RFD-TV) — A recent report from Connected Nation finds that roughly one-third (30.6 percent) of rural American households are facing “internet insecurity,” underscoring how limited connectivity remains a significant barrier to opportunity in many parts of the country.

Chris McGovern from Connected Nation joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to break down the findings and discuss their implications for rural America. In an interview with RFD-TV News, McGovern outlined the methodology and background of the study, explaining how “internet insecurity” is defined and measured—and which areas are most affected.

McGovern said some of the findings, while troubling, were not very surprising, given the longstanding challenges of extending broadband to remote regions. He also emphasized the risks that rural communities face without stable, high-speed internet, including weakened economic development, reduced access to telehealth services, educational disruptions, and decreased competitiveness in an increasingly digital world.

McGovern urged states and localities to prioritize sustainable broadband infrastructure, regulatory support, public-private partnerships, and funding mechanisms that ensure lasting access—not just short-term fixes.

For more information on Connected Nation’s study, click here.

Related Stories
For aging operators and their rural neighbors, staying socially engaged is a practical strategy to preserve decision-making capacity and farm vitality.
Set targets and use forwards, futures, or options to manage downside while preserving room for rallies.
Rising demand for Comfort Colors t-shirts reinforces the pull for U.S.-grown cotton, linking rural fiber production to a fast-growing mainstream apparel brand.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Bernt Nelson provides an updated outlook on the current U.S. cattle market.
Taryn Fischels, Product Marketing Manager for Precision Upgrades at John Deere, joins us to share a sneak peek of her chat with FarmHER’s Kirbe Schnoor on the Dirt Diaries podcast.
Australia’s expanding harvest and global oversupply are keeping wheat and barley prices capped, though canola markets may hold firmer on shifting oilseed demand.
Expanding bioethanol use strengthens rural economies, supports farm markets, and positions U.S. agriculture at the center of global low-carbon trade.
Elizabeth Strom with the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) joined us to share the latest on harvest progress and market activity in her area.