San Diego, Phoenix, Detroit, New York and Sacramento represent the top five wired local markets connected via broadband access with penetration rates of 65 percent or higher, according to Nielsen//NetRatings, which tracked 35 local markets in the U.S.

In comparison, Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh, Charlotte and Columbus ranked as the local markets most connected via narrowband or the least connected via broadband with penetration rates under forty percent.

"Our data indicates that U.S. coastal cities, which tend to be more affluent communities with large professional workforces, are more connected via broadband while those located more inland are still connected via narrowband," said Corey Jeffery, Internet analyst, Nielsen//NetRatings. "Over time we expect to see broadband penetration across cities balancing out as broadband costs becomes more affordable."

In august Nielsen//NetRatings found that 51 percent of the American online population, or 64.1 million Web users, connect to the Internet via broadband as compared to 60.6 million accessing the Internet through narrowband. Overall growth for broadband connections rose 43 percent year-over-year, while narrowband dropped 14 percent annually.

Top Local Markets Connected via Broadband, August 2004 (U.S., Home):

Local Market	Percent of Broadband within Local Market
1. San Diego	69.6
2. Phoenix	68.4
3. Detroit	67.0
4. New York	66.8
5. Sacramento	64.9
6. Orlando	64.7
7. Seattle	63.0
8. San Francisco	63.0
9. Los Angeles	61.6
10. Boston	61.4

Local Markets Most Connected via Narrowband, August 2004 (U.S., Home):

Local Market	Percent of Broadband within Local Market
1. Baltimore	50.1
2. Miami	49.6
3. Chicago	48.4
4. Denver	48.3
5. Minneapolis	46.9
6. Milwaukee	39.3
7. Salt Lake City	35.3
8. Pittsburgh	33.3
9. Charlotte	31.6
10. Columbus	26.9