So here are some useful statistics that can help you make the case. We’ve put them together on one page to make it easy for you.

65% of those 50-64 years old, and 32% of those 65+ use the internet. Only 22% of the 65+ crowd was online in 2004, and only 15% in 2000.
(Pew Internet, Feb-March 2007)

Of those 65 years and older, 34% of men and only 21% of women are online. This is the only age group where men outpace women online.
(Pew Internet, 2005)

There are 17 million internet users aged 62+. They spend an average of 44 minutes per day online. Those online are better educated, have higher incomes, and are much more likely to be married and working. They also spend 70% more each month than those offline. Of those online, 59% use search, 43% gather news online, 38% research health information, and 23% pay bills online.
(Focalyst, April 2008)

Half of Americans between the ages of 50 and 64, and 19% of those 65 and older, have broadband at home.
(Pew Internet, April 2008)

If you work for a health organization, Pew Internet has a number of studies you need to read about what they call the e-patient.

What do all these statistics mean?

• While seniors don’t use the internet as much as you or I, they use it more than your boss probably thinks they do. 
• If you think that baby boomers, 66% of whom are online now, are going to give up their internet as they turn 65, think again.

If you’ve come across other reliable sources of useful statistics about seniors online, please share them with us and we’ll update this resource.

NPA has been successful integrating the web into existing direct mail fundraising campaigns, to the benefit of both bottom lines. If you’d like to explore how you can improve both, contact us at inquiries@npadvisors.com

October 2008