Study: About a third of W.Va. homes don't have computers, 2nd lowest rate in nation

A new federal study says about 35 percent of West Virginia households don't own a computer.

That's the second-lowest rate in the nation.

The study by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration also says West Virginia has the eighth-lowest Internet adoption rate. About 59 percent of West Virginia households subscribe to high-speed Internet. The national rate is 70 percent.

West Virginia Broadband Deployment Council chairman Dan O'Hanlon tells the Charleston Gazette that the state's Internet adoption rate has improved. But West Virginia still lags behind most of the nation.

The council is working to expand high-speed Internet access across West Virginia.

O'Hanlon says the state could work with nonprofit groups to increase computer ownership.