Cook County Digital Equity Score by Census Tracts

The Cook County Digital Equity Map shows how conditions in a community relate to internet access and technology use. At the center is the Digital Equity Score. The score runs from 0 to 100. A low score means conditions in that community make internet service harder to afford and use. A high score means conditions already support getting online. A low score describes conditions, not people. The score compares communities only within Cook County, so a score of 100 means the best conditions in the county, not a community without a digital divide. Every indicator on the map comes from the U.S. Census Bureau. What’s in the Score The score uses measures grounded in national research on digital access, including work from Purdue University’s Digital Divide Index, the Benton Institute’s broadband adoption research, and the Illinois Broadband Lab’s analysis of digitally vulnerable populations. All indicators come from the U.S. Census Bureau. Internet Access Broadband Access, Cellular Data Internet Access Measures how many households pay for and use internet service through wireline connections or cellular data. Income Median Household Income, Housing Cost Burdened Shows what households earn and how much income is consumed by housing costs. Devices Computer in Household, Only Smartphone in Household Indicates whether households have a computer or rely solely on a smartphone, which limits schoolwork, job applications, and completing online forms. Education People With a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher Represents educational attainment, which can affect how well written information aligns with users’ needs. Household Children in Household, Older Adults (65+) Captures groups that experience different types of cost pressure and support needs. Ethnicity Hispanic or Latino, Asian, Black, Some Other Race, White Highlights where digital access gaps persist even after accounting for income. Disability People With a Disability Reflects households where device and service gaps tend to be wider. Language Limited English Proficiency Identifies households that may face barriers because sign‑up processes, support, and online forms are often available only in English.