BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) — Technology is rapidly changing the way many Americans live, work and pay their bills — meaning having access to the internet is more important than ever. But as new research shows, North Dakotans still struggle to stay connected, despite our impressive commitment to fraud protection and cybersecurity.

As part of a study on accessibility in the U.S., HostingAdvice used data from County Health Rankings to compare broadband connections from 2020 to 2024. When this information was aggregated and weighted against other states, it was found that ND is far behind the national curve in getting residents online, ranking 36th overall. Compared to four years ago, only 5% more residents have broadband connections, for a total of 17,911 households.

That’s not to say that every area of ​​ND is seeing the same level of added connectivity — and to prove it, the study also noted findings at the county level. Benson County saw the largest gain in North Dakota with 20% of residents (143 households) receiving broadband, while Steele County reported a large drop of -8%.

While North Dakota’s statistics are below average, some states are reporting even lower increases in broadband access. On the other side of the coin, other states are experiencing much higher growth rates than the rest of the country. Below is a list of the five states with the highest and lowest increases in recent years.

“Broadband connectivity isn’t just a luxury – it’s a necessity for modern life,” said Christina Lewis, spokesperson for HostingAdvice. “Our research highlights the progress being made across states and provinces, but it also underscores the continued need for investment in digital infrastructure to ensure all communities can thrive in our increasingly connected world.”

To view the full study, including an infographic detailing the changes in broadband access in the United States, visit this page on HostingAdvice’s website.