"We can't use technology to communicate with our residents because it won't reach everyone—especially older adults." This persistent myth has kept countless local governments stuck in outdated communication methods, operating under the false belief that digital solutions inherently exclude certain demographics.

The reality? Technology doesn't exclude demographics—single-channel strategies do.

Every demographic engages with technology, just through different channels and platforms. The key to reaching everyone isn't choosing between technology or traditional methods—it's leveraging multiple digital channels simultaneously to meet each demographic where they already are.

The Truth: Every Demographic is Digital—And They're Downloading Apps

Let's start by dismantling the biggest misconception: that older adults and certain demographics don't use technology or mobile apps.

98% of Americans now own a cellphone of some kind, with 91% owning smartphones—up from just 35% in 2011. This isn't a young person's phenomenon anymore; smartphone ownership has grown dramatically across ALL age groups.

Even among Americans 65 and older, 61% now own smartphones—and that number is climbing every year. The gap between youngest and oldest adults has shrunk from 53 percentage points in 2012 to just 35 points today. Seniors aren't rejecting mobile technology—they're embracing it at accelerating rates.

And here's the breakthrough insight: smartphone owners across ALL demographics are downloading and actively using apps. The average smartphone user interacts with 10 different apps daily and 30 apps per month. Your residents—young and old—are already living in an app-first world.

The question isn't whether your residents will download a government app. It's whether you'll give them one that's worth downloading.

Mobile Apps Work for Every Generation—With Smart Backup

Here's the breakthrough insight that changes everything: mobile apps aren't just for young people. With 91% smartphone ownership across America, apps have become the universal platform—and different demographics are all embracing them, just sometimes at different rates.

The key to reaching everyone isn't avoiding apps because of the 9% who don't have smartphones. It's building an excellent app-first experience for the 91% majority, with intelligent multi-channel backup to ensure the remaining 9% still receive critical information.

Let's look at how each demographic engages with mobile apps and other channels:

Older Adults (65+): Growing App Adopters with Traditional Preferences

Seniors are rapidly embracing smartphone apps:

• 61% now own smartphones, up dramatically from previous years
• 60% already use mobile apps regularly across various categories
• Once they download and learn a government app, they often become power users
• Appreciate having all city information organized in one accessible place
• Value push notifications that don't get lost in email or text message clutter

Supporting channels they also use:

• 85.5% use email for detailed information and formal communications
• 35% prefer voice calls for personal communication—highest among all age groups
• Benefit from SMS reminders to check the app for new notifications

The takeaway: Don't skip the app because of seniors—61% already have smartphones and appreciate well-designed apps. Supplement with email and voice for the remainder.

Middle-Aged Adults (45-64): Smartphone-Savvy Multi-Channel Users

This demographic fully embraces mobile technology:

• 83% of those 50-64 own smartphones and actively use apps daily
• Download apps for banking, shopping, healthcare, and entertainment
• Expect every organization, including government, to have an app
• Value the convenience of service requests and information access in one place
• Prefer push notifications with images and hyperlinks over plain text

Supporting channels they also engage with:

• 95% use email for detailed newsletters and updates
• 32% use voice calls for formal discussions when needed
• Occasional SMS for quick alerts

The takeaway: This group expects and wants a mobile app. They're already using apps for everything else in their lives.

Younger Adults (18-44): App-First Digital Natives

Apps are their default interaction method:

• 96% of 18-29 year-olds and 95% of 30-49 year-olds own smartphones
• Will absolutely download a well-designed government app
• Expect the same quality experience they get from commercial apps
• Want to interact with government as easily as they order food or check weather
• Value visual content, easy navigation, and instant notifications

Supporting channels as supplements:

• 93.4% of 15-24 year-olds use email (contrary to popular belief)
• 49% of 18-24 year-olds prefer SMS for quick messages
• Heavy social media users who will share app content

The takeaway: Without an app, you're not meeting this generation's basic expectations for digital government service.

Mobile Apps and Push Notifications: The Primary Channel for All Demographics

Here's what local governments often miss: mobile apps aren't just for young people anymore. Government apps are becoming the preferred way for residents of ALL ages to interact with their municipality.

Why Branded Municipal Apps Work Across All Demographics:

For Seniors (65+): Organized, Reliable Information

• Apps provide a dedicated, organized space for government information that doesn't get lost in text messages or email clutter
• Push notifications are 43% less intrusive than SMS or email, making them more respectful of seniors' preferences
• Larger smartphones and tablets make app interfaces more readable than tiny text messages
• Once downloaded, apps are always accessible—no searching for phone numbers or websites
• 60% of seniors already use mobile apps, and that number grows every year

For Middle-Aged Adults (45-64): Convenience and Control

• Push notifications with images and hyperlinks provide more context than plain text messages
• Geo-targeted alerts mean they only receive information relevant to their neighborhood
• Service request submission and tracking all in one place
• Customizable notification preferences let them control what they receive and when
• 83% of 50-64 year-olds own smartphones and actively use apps

For Younger Adults (18-44): Expected Digital Experience

• 91% of this demographic owns smartphones and expects every organization to have an app
• Push notifications fit seamlessly into their app-first lifestyle
• Images, hyperlinks, and modern interface match their expectations from commercial apps
• They can engage with government as easily as they order food or check their bank account
• Social sharing features let them spread important information to their networks

The Power of Push Notifications:

Unlike other channels, push notifications through your branded municipal app offer unique advantages:

• Rich Media Support: Include images and hyperlinks that provide context and detail impossible with text messages
• Branded Experience: Your city logo and app name build recognition and trust
• Extended Character Limits: 178-240 characters vs SMS's 160-character limit
• Geo-Targeting: Send neighborhood-specific alerts automatically based on resident location
• Always Accessible: Past notifications and information remain in the app for easy reference
• Cost Effective: No per-message fees like SMS

Supporting Channels: Ensuring Complete Coverage

While your branded app and push notifications should be your primary communication channel, GOGov's multi-channel approach ensures no resident is left behind:

Email: The Backup for Detailed Information

• Reaches the 10% of Americans who haven't adopted smartphones yet
• Perfect for lengthy announcements, newsletters, and formal communications
• High usage across all age groups (85.5% of seniors, 95% of middle-aged adults)
• Provides a paper trail for important official communications

SMS/Text Messaging: Emergency Backup

• Critical backup channel for residents who haven't downloaded your app yet
• Essential for emergency situations when maximum reach is paramount
• Works on non-smartphones and basic cell phones
• Ideal for encouraging app downloads with links to app stores

Voice Calls: Reaching the Truly Disconnected

• Automated voice alerts for the small percentage without smartphones
• Essential for emergency notifications when lives are at stake
• Reaches elderly residents who may have limited digital literacy
• Provides personal touch for sensitive communications

Social Media: Amplifying Your Message

• Extends your reach beyond your direct subscriber base
• Allows residents to share important information with their networks
• Good for community building and engagement
• Complements your app by driving awareness and downloads

The GOGov Advantage: Branded App First, Multi-Channel Support

Here's where GOGov revolutionizes local government communication: your branded municipal app is the centerpiece, with comprehensive multi-channel backup ensuring no one is left behind.

Your Branded App: The Central Hub:

• Professional, municipality-branded mobile app that residents download from app stores
• Rich push notifications with images and hyperlinks
• Service request submission and tracking
• Event calendars, news feeds, and community information
• Geo-targeted alerts based on resident location
• Customizable notification preferences
• Always accessible—information doesn't disappear like text messages

Multi-Channel Backup for Maximum Reach:

• SMS: Automatic text backup for residents who haven't downloaded the app yet
• Email: Detailed newsletters and formal communications for those who prefer email
• Voice: Automated calls for emergency situations and non-smartphone users
• Social Media: Amplify your message and drive app downloads

The Smart Migration Path:

1. Launch your branded app and promote it across all channels
2. Send push notifications to app users for rich, engaging communication
3. Automatically send SMS backups to non-app users with links to download
4. Over time, more residents download the app as they see its value
5. Your communication becomes more cost-effective as app adoption grows

Create Once, Distribute Intelligently:

• Write one message in the GOGov dashboard
• Push notification goes to all app users (with images and hyperlinks)
• SMS automatically sent to residents who haven't downloaded the app
• Email sent to residents who prefer that channel
• Social media posts amplify your message
• Voice calls for emergency situations
• Track which channels perform best and watch app adoption grow

Real-World Application: Emergency Weather Alert

Let's see how app-first, multi-channel communication reaches every demographic with one message:

Scenario: Severe thunderstorm warning issued for your municipality at 2 PM.

Old Approach (Website Only):

• Post on website
• Hope someone visits the site
• Most residents never see the warning
• No way to know who received the information

GOGov App-First Approach:

PRIMARY: Push Notification to App Users

• Immediate alert appears on smartphone lock screen
• Weather radar image shows affected areas
• Hyperlink to detailed safety information
• Geo-targeted so only affected neighborhoods receive alert
• Seen by 70%+ of app users within minutes

BACKUP: SMS to Non-App Users

• Text message: "SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING until 9 PM. Seek shelter immediately. Download [City] App for updates: [link]"
• Reaches residents who haven't downloaded the app yet
• Includes app download link to encourage adoption

SUPPORT: Email for Detailed Information

• Comprehensive safety instructions sent to all residents
• Includes maps, shelter locations, and emergency contact information
• Perfect for those who want more detail than a notification provides

EMERGENCY: Voice Calls

• Automated calls to elderly residents who selected this preference
• Reaches the small percentage without smartphones
• Ensures truly universal coverage for critical situations

AMPLIFICATION: Social Media

• Automatic post to Facebook and Twitter with radar image
• Residents share with friends and family
• Extends reach beyond your direct subscribers

Result:

• App users get the best experience with rich media and immediate alerts
• Non-app users receive SMS backup with encouragement to download
• Everyone receives notification through at least one channel
• Your message reaches 95%+ of residents within 30 minutes

The Data Proves Apps Work Across All Demographics

Research proves that mobile apps effectively reach diverse demographics:

• 91% of Americans own smartphones, making app-based communication viable across nearly all demographics
• 61% of seniors own smartphones, and adoption continues to grow rapidly
• The average smartphone user uses 10 apps daily and 30 apps per month—government apps fit naturally into this behavior
• Organizations using app-first, multi-channel strategies experience 89% retention vs. 33% for single-channel
• Push notification engagement rates average 4.6% on Android and 3.4% on iOS, significantly higher than email open rates
• Apps with rich media (images) see 56% higher engagement than text-only communications

When you lead with a branded app and rich push notifications, supplemented by SMS and email backups, you're not just reaching more people—you're providing the best possible experience to the majority while ensuring no one is left behind.

Mobile Apps Are Actually MORE Accessible

The myth that technology can't reach all demographics often stems from genuine concern about accessibility and inclusion. But here's the paradox: a well-designed mobile app with multi-channel backup is actually MORE inclusive than traditional methods.

Why Branded Municipal Apps Improve Accessibility:

• No Transportation Required: Elderly residents and those with disabilities don't need to travel to city hall, attend meetings, or pick up printed materials
• 24/7 Access: Information available whenever residents need it—not just during business hours or publication schedules
• Always in Their Pocket: App is readily available on the device they already carry everywhere
• Larger, Clearer Display: Modern smartphones have large, high-resolution screens easier to read than printed text
• Assistive Technology Compatible: Screen readers, text-to-speech, zoom features work seamlessly with apps
• No Cost Barriers: Free to download and use—no need to pay for newspapers or transportation
• Organized Information: Everything in one place, not scattered across websites, social media, and mailboxes
• Language Options: Apps can support multilingual content more easily than printed materials

Plus Multi-Channel Backup Ensures True Accessibility:

For the declining percentage of residents without smartphones, GOGov's automatic SMS, email, and voice backups ensure they still receive critical information. You get the best of both worlds: cutting-edge app experience for the 91% with smartphones, plus traditional channel backup for everyone else.

Your Residents Are Already App Users

The reality is that your residents—across ALL age groups and demographics—are already using mobile apps every single day. They:

• Bank with apps from Chase, Bank of America, or their local credit union
• Receive prescription reminders through CVS and Walgreens apps
• Order food through DoorDash and Uber Eats apps
• Check weather with Weather Channel or local news station apps
• Track packages with FedEx and UPS apps
• Manage healthcare through MyChart and insurance company apps
• Get notifications from their utility companies' apps

Even seniors who were once skeptical have discovered that apps make their lives easier. They don't need to remember websites, search for phone numbers, or keep track of paper documents. Everything is right there in the app, organized and accessible.

Your residents aren't waiting for government to create an app—they're wondering why their local government is the only organization NOT providing one. Every other part of their lives has gone app-first. Why hasn't their city or county?

Breaking Free from the Myth

The myth that "it's impossible to target all demographics through technology" persists because it contains a kernel of outdated truth: fifteen years ago, smartphones and apps were primarily for young tech enthusiasts.

But in 2025, 91% of Americans own smartphones. Apps aren't cutting-edge anymore—they're expected infrastructure.

GOGov's solution isn't complicated:

1. Lead with your branded municipal app that provides rich push notifications, service requests, and organized information
2. Automatically back up with SMS for residents who haven't downloaded the app yet
3. Support with email for detailed communications and formal announcements
4. Ensure universal coverage with voice calls for emergency situations
5. Amplify through social media to extend reach and drive app downloads

This isn't about excluding anyone—it's about giving EVERYONE the best possible experience:

• The 91% with smartphones get a superior app experience with push notifications that include images and hyperlinks
• The 9% without smartphones still receive SMS, email, and voice communications
• 100% of your residents can access the information they need through channels that work for them

Don't let the demographics myth keep your community from embracing modern communication. Your residents aren't resisting mobile apps—they're already using them from every other organization in their lives. The question is whether your local government will finally join them.

Ready to launch a branded municipal app that reaches residents across all demographics? Contact GOGov to learn how our branded mobile app with push notifications and multi-channel Citizen Notifications platform can connect your entire community—from tech-savvy millennials to smartphone-using seniors—all through one powerful, inclusive system.

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