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More than half (62%) of households in the U.S. had Internet access in 2007, an 18 percent increase from 1997, according to new data from the Census Bureau.

Sixty-four percent of individuals 18 and over used the Internet from any location in 2007, while only 22 percent did so in 1997. Among households using the Internet in 2007, 82 percent used a high-speed connection, and 17 percent used a dial-up connection.

"As access to high speed connections have become more prevalent, so too have the number of people that connect to the Internet at home," said Thom File, a statistician with the Census Bureau Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division.

"These data give us a better understanding of who is using the Internet and from where."

Broken down by states, Alaska and New Hampshire residents had among the highest rates of Internet use from any location (home, work or public access) for those 3 and older in 2007.

Mississippi and West Virginia had among the lowest rates of Internet use at about 52 percent.

Internet usage also varied by education. For those 25 and older with a bachelor's degree, 87 percent reported going online from any location in 2007. For those with some college, 74 percent reported using the Internet. Nearly half (49%) of those with a high school diploma reported using the Internet, compared with 19 percent for those without a high school diploma.

When looking at age groups, the percentage of 18- to 34-year olds who accessed the Internet was more than double (73%) that of people 65 and older (35%). Among children 3 to 17, 56 percent used the Internet.