Nielsen Media Research Estimates 106.7 Million TV Households In The U. S. The total number of television households in the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) is estimated at
106,700,000, according to Nielsen Media Research. The new universe estimate will take effect with the broadcast week of August 26-September 1, 2002, meaning each national rating point will represent
one percent of the total, or 1,067,000 television households.
This figure, which is projected to January 1, 2003, will be used for the entire 2002-2003 television season. The new estimate
represents an increase of 1.2 million television households from the 2001-2002 season. The new universe estimates complete the incorporation of data collected in the 2000 U.S. Census. Nielsen Media
Research annually reports universe estimates based on information from a variety of sources, including Claritas, the United States Census Bureau and Nielsen Media Research’s samples.
Demographic estimates within U.S. TV households include:
| Demographic | 2000-2001 | 2001-2002 | 2002-2003 |
| Households | 102,200,000 | 105,500,000 | 106,700,000 |
| Persons 2+ | 261,780,000 | 269,880,000 | 272,040,000 |
| Women 18+ | 103,780,000 | 107,070,000 | 108,190,000 |
| Men 18+ | 95,490,000 | 98,560,000 | 99,020,000 |
| Teens 12-17 | 22,660,000 | 23,520,000 | 24,840,000 |
| Children 2-11 | 39,850,000 | 40,730,000 | 39,990,000 |
Nielsen Media Research Local Universe Estimates*
*Estimates used throughout the 2002-2003
television season which starts on September 21, 2002
| Rank | Designated Market Area (DMA) | TVHouseholds | % of US |
| 1 | New York | 7,282,320 | 6.829 |
| 2 | Los Angeles | 5,318,040 | 4.987 |
| 3 | Chicago | 3,351,330 | 3.143 |
| 4 | Philadelphia | 2,830,470 | 2.654 |
| 5 | San Francisco-Oak-San Jose | 2,436,220 | 2.284 |
| 6 | Boston (Manchester) | 2,353,500 | 2.207 |
| 7 | Dallas-Ft. Worth | 2,195,540 | 2.059 |
| 8 | Washington, DC (Hagrstwn) | 2,169,230 | 2.034 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 1,971,180 | 1.848 |
| 10 | Detroit | 1,899,910 | 1.782 |
| 11 | Houston | 1,814,140 | 1.701 |
| 12 | Seattle-Tacoma | 1,659,100 | 1.556 |
| 13 | Tampa-St. Pete (Sarasota) | 1,620,110 | 1.519 |
| 14 | Minneapolis-St. Paul | 1,594,740 | 1.495 |
| 15 | Cleveland-Akron (Canton) | 1,528,840 | 1.434 |
| 16 | Phoenix | 1,524,130 | 1.429 |
| 17 | Miami-Ft. Lauderdale | 1,486,860 | 1.394 |
| 18 | Denver | 1,366,250 | 1.281 |
| 19 | Sacramnto-Stktn-Modesto | 1,227,600 | 1.151 |
| 20 | Orlando-Daytona Bch-Melbrn | 1,224,470 | 1.148 |
| 21 | Pittsburgh | 1,165,660 | 1.093 |
| 22 | St. Louis | 1,156,370 | 1.084 |
| 23 | Portland, OR | 1,061,080 | 0.995 |
| 24 | Baltimore | 1,060,450 | 0.994 |
| 25 | Indianapolis | 1,019,870 | 0.956 |
| 26 | San Diego | 1,004,220 | 0.942 |
| 27 | Hartford & New Haven | 980,410 | 0.919 |
| 28 | Charlotte | 962,540 | 0.903 |
| 29 | Raleigh-Durham (Fayetvlle) | 929,460 | 0.872 |
| 30 | Nashville | 880,670 | 0.826 |
| 31 | Milwaukee | 860,350 | 0.807 |
| 32 | Cincinnati | 854,250 | 0.801 |
| 33 | Kansas City | 852,510 | 0.799 |
| 34 | Columbus, OH | 835,780 | 0.784 |
| 35 | Greenvll-Spart-Ashevll-And | 792,110 | 0.743 |
| 36 | Salt Lake City | 769,230 | 0.721 |
| 37 | San Antonio | 718,730 | 0.674 |
| 38 | Grand Rapids-Kalmzoo-B.Crk | 713,800 | 0.669 |
| 39 | West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce | 700,850 | 0.657 |
| 40 | Birmingham (Ann and Tusc) | 690,030 | 0.647 |
| 41 | Norfolk-Portsmth-Newpt Nws | 677,610 | 0.635 |
| 42 | New Orleans | 658,830 | 0.618 |
| 43 | Memphis | 653,840 | 0.613 |
| 44 | Buffalo | 639,190 | 0.599 |
| 45 | Oklahoma City | 636,970 | 0.597 |
| 46 | Greensboro-H.Point-W.Salem | 634,140 | 0.595 |
| 47 | Harrisburg-Lncstr-Leb-York | 626,660 | 0.588 |
| 48 | Providence-New Bedford | 624,020 | 0.585 |
| 49 | Albuquerque-Santa Fe | 620,230 | 0.582
|
| 50 | Louisville | 612,300 | 0.574 |
Nielsen Media Research