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The U.S. newspaper industry has history going all the way back to the colonies. Newspapers enjoyed a long reign not only as the primary source of news and information, but also as the main advertising vehicle for brands, retailers, and even individuals within their markets.

Newspaper publishers faced and survived major challenges over the years from short broadcast newscasts on radio and TV, radio all-news formats, television news programs, and 24-hour cable news channel cycles, retaining subscribers and revenue streams.

In the 21st century, however, online and digital platforms affording real-time news coverage – including personalized news delivery – have made immediacy the order of the day. Publishers literally are faced with an "adapt or die" proposition. Some are adapting innovative strategies to expand their digital services to the consumer – others have closed down.

Newspaper publishers are changing their business models to curtail costs, expand access to content via digital platforms:

Reduction of home delivery schedules to 3 or 4 days a week, including Sunday
Some publications adopting these schedules continue to offer print editions at newsstands and other points
Others offer digital-only options on non-delivery days

Recognized channels for audited newspaper circulation data by the Alliance for Audited Media (AAM), formerly known as the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC), are:

Print distribution (individually paid, business/traveler distribution such as hotels and airlines, and consumer copies that are non-paid or paid by someone other than the individual)
Digital Replica: Digital format containing all editorial and ROP ad content; may contain additional editorial and advertising. Circulation numbers not synonymous with daily Website visitors, page views, or other common web traffic terms
Digital Non-Replica: Digital format with same name of paper's AAM membership; may contain different editorial or advertising from the print version. Circulation numbers not synonymous with daily Website visitors, page views, or other common web traffic terms
Affiliated Publications: Print and/or digital editions reflecting a different name than AAM member; may contain audience-focused, alternative language or community papers

Newspaper readership

Overall, consumers reading traditional print newspapers are declining as digital newspaper readership numbers are on the rise. Convenience and technology are key when consuming print now.

7% of A18+ read any daily newspaper
6% of A18+ read any one daily newspaper
1% of A18+ read any two or more daily newspapers
12% of A18+ read any Sunday newspaper
10% of A18+ read any one Sunday newspaper
2% of A18+ read any two or more Sunday newspapers

Newspaper consumers are now reading digitally.

55% of A18+ read or looked into any electronic version of a newspaper, including website.

(Source: 2025 MRI-Simmons Fall Doublebase)

More than two-thirds (68%) of the local news outlets in the U.S. are newspapers.

(Source: Local News Initiative, The State of Local News 2025)

7% of U.S. adults have said that they prefer print newspapers for getting local news and information.

(Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted Aug. 18-24, 2025)

25% of U.S. adults often or sometimes get local news and information from daily newspapers.

(Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted Aug. 18-24, 2025)

11% of consumers read print newspapers (increasing to 16% among baby boomers).

(Source: YouGov Surveys, April 16, 2025 – May 13, 2025)

23% of consumers read digital newspapers (increasing to 26% among baby boomers).

(Source: YouGov Surveys, April 16, 2025 – May 13, 2025)

As of October 2025, there are 937 daily and 4,482 nondaily newspapers in the U.S.

(Source: Local News Initiative, The State of Local News 2025)

Newspaper readers by format and generation:
- Gen Z - Print newspapers, 5%; Digital newspapers, 16%
- Millennials - Print newspapers, 14%; Digital newspapers, 39%
- Gen X - Print newspapers, 15%; Digital newspapers, 18%
- Baby boomers - Print newspapers, 47%; Digital newspapers, 23%

(Source: 2025 MRI-Simmons Fall Doublebase)

Percentage of adults who consider newspapers to be very trustworthy/trustworthy:
- Adults 18-34 - 74%
- Adults 35-54 - 79%
- Adults 55+ - 79%

(Source: Katz Radio Group, Media Trust Study, March 2026)

% of U.S. adults in each demographic group who say they get news often or sometimes from print newspapers:
- U.S. adults - 25%
- Men - 24%
- Women - 25%
- Ages 18-29 - 18%
- 30-49 - 22%
- 50-64 - 23%
- 65+ - 37%

(Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted Aug. 18-24, 2025)

Adults 18+ who read the newspaper daily:
- 82% have purchased their most recent vehicle.
- 37% are likely to invest in stocks, bonds, or mutual funds in the next 12 months.
- 26% have used a tax preparation professional or service.
- 13% are likely to remodel a bathroom within a year.
- 31% spend $150+ a week on groceries.
- 29% have spent $1000+ on the internet in the last six months.
- 14% have visited a dermatologist in the last 12 months.

(Source: 2025 MRI-Simmons Fall Doublebase)

The domestic news section ranks first as the most read; 66% of readers read this section.
The sports section ranks second, with 55% saying they always read this section.
Half of women (53%) say they read the food and drink section, compared to 38% of men.
The fashion section is read by 47% of women, while only 32% of men do the same.
41% of women read the film and video section. 26% of men read this section.

(Source: YouGov, May 2025, Which section of a printed newspaper do readers read most?)

There are more than 200 news desert counties in the U.S. predominantly located in rural areas. Last year, 80% of news deserts were in counties the federal government classifies as predominantly rural.