Alabama's broadband penetration has continued to grow exponentially in recent years. In 2019, Alabama ranked 47th in the United States for broadband connectivity. Fast forward to 2024, and Alabama is now ranked 24th. Same list.

BroadbandNow's Internet Availability Index takes into account each state's internet coverage, speed and availability in generating its annual rankings.

According to data accompanying the rankings, roughly 1 in 10 Alabamians still cannot afford an internet plan with at least 25Mbps and 3Mbps upload, and nearly 6 in 10 residents cannot afford broadband that costs less than $60 per month.

Related: Be Linked Alabama: Interactive map illuminates broadband growth

In Alabama, 85.4% of people have access to 100 Mbps broadband, ranking 41st among all states.

The five counties with the highest percentage of residents with access to broadband speeds of 100 mbps or more are in metropolitan areas such as Jefferson County (99%) and Shelby County (97%). Huntsville, Montgomery and Auburn counties also rounded out the top five. Perry County, the state's least populous county, has the lowest rate of access to high-speed broadband.

Internet availability data for each county can be found here: here.

Austin Shipley is a staff writer for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on X. @ShipleyAusten