Nielsen//NetRatings reports that the active online population in Raleigh, NC grew 29% at home from January 2002 to January 2003, taking the top spot as the fastest growing city in the U.S. for homes
connecting to the Internet. Nashville, TN and Sacramento, CA tied with the 2nd highest growth rate, expanding 19% year over year. The fastest growing local market experienced some big shifts in income
levels over the past year. In Raleigh, the number of people with at home Internet access reporting a household income of $75,000 to $99,999 a year increased by 72% from January 2002 to January 2003.
This, said Greg Bloom, senior Internet analyst at Nielsen//NetRatings, makes it a "prime regional target for marketers looking to push big ticket items like luxury cars and appliances." Overall, Bloom
said, "Retailers who do business or advertise online should take note of these rankings. They can point to areas of the country where online advertising and ecommerce will have significantly more
impact than a year ago."
