The Census Bureau and NTIA gathered and analyzed federal data to identify and quantify the eight different “covered populations” defined by the Digital Equity Act of 2021, which overall have historically experienced lower rates of computer and internet use. The covered populations named in the legislation include:

• Persons who are 60 years of age or older
• Incarcerated individuals
• Veterans
• Persons with disabilities
• Members of a racial or ethnic minority group
• Rural residents
• Individuals with a language barrier, including those who are English learners or have low literacy levels
• Individuals living in households with incomes not exceeding 150 percent of the poverty level

The Digital Equity Act of 2021 was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Sections 60301-60307). Under the legislation, NTIA will use the data on “covered populations” and the relative availability and adoption of broadband as inputs into its funding formula to allocate funding to states (including the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico) for Digital Equity Planning and Capacity Grants. 

Census and NTIA provide the Digital Equity Act data through its Population Viewer and data files so users can identify and help address the needs of unserved and underserved populations. Follow the links below to access and view the data used in the funding allocation formula. The viewer also includes county and census tract data for users to evaluate local populations covered under the legislation. The viewer includes 2022 data for States and 2019 data for counties and tracts.