According to the findings of a new study published by ad platform Chitika’s research arm - Chitika Insights – on Thursday, usage rates of the Apple iPhone in the US has a positive correlation with the education level of the users as well as population density.

The Chitika Insights report is based on a state-by-state study which showed that the iPhone usage rates in the US are highly variable; with there apparently being a common thread among users who had achieved higher levels of education.

Though popular electronics devices generally show associations linked to geography or raw population metrics, the Chitika Insights study has found that the iPhone usage rates in the US are more closely related to users’ education levels.

With education levels and population density affecting iPhone usage rates in the US, the study found that the number of iPhone users in the northeastern states is comparatively much higher than in the other states.

Going by the findings of the study, the states which have “very high” iPhone usage rates – ranging 55 percent and 65 percent - include Alaska, Hawaii, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Vermont.

In comparison, eastern states have “high” iPhone usage rates, between 54 percent and 50 percent; while southern states have relatively “low” iPhone usage, between 44 percent and 40 percent.