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More than 1 in 10 children in Farmers Branch live in a household without an internet subscription, nearly twice the statewide rate, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.
The estimate puts Farmers Branch's rate above neighboring Addison and Carrollton, where an estimated 8.5% and 5.2% of children, respectively, live in households without an internet subscription.
CompareInternet analyzed the Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates to examine internet access among children under 18. The analysis estimates 810 Farmers Branch children live in households without an internet subscription, compared with 152 in Addison and 1,384 in Carrollton.
Combined, an estimated 2,346 children in the three cities live in households without an internet subscription.
The Census Bureau considers cellular data plans internet subscriptions, meaning households relying only on cellphone data are not included among those without subscriptions.
The local differences are significant. Farmers Branch's estimated 10.4% rate is higher than the Texas rate of 5.9% reported in the analysis. Addison's rate is 8.5%, while Carrollton's 5.2% is closer to the statewide figure.
Having a device does not necessarily mean having an internet subscription. According to the analysis, 2,174 of the 2,346 children counted across the three cities live in households that also report having a computer or computing device. In Addison, the analysis found all 152 children without an internet subscription lived in households reporting a computer or computing device.
The Census data do not indicate why individual households lack an internet subscription or whether cost, availability or another factor is responsible.
For Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD students, access to a device is less of a barrier than it once was. The district offers a device to every student through its 1:1 technology program. Students in prekindergarten through first grade receive iPads, while students in second through 12th grade receive Chromebooks. Students in third through 12th grades generally take their devices home each day.
Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, CFBISD charges an annual technology device fee of $40 for students in grades 3-12, reduced to $25 for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Families experiencing financial hardship can apply for a scholarship to cover the fee or use a three-month payment plan.
A district device, however, does not provide a household internet connection. CFBISD's online instructional resources require students to have access to Wi-Fi outside of school.
Families without reliable home internet have other local options, including free Wi-Fi and public computers at libraries in Farmers Branch and Carrollton. Carrollton residents can also check out mobile hotspots for use at home.
CompareInternet's nationwide analysis found approximately 3.2 million children live in households without an internet subscription. The company analyzed Census data for more than 3,200 counties nationwide.
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