Tablet ownership grows across the board

The number of people purchasing tablets -- regardless of age, gender or income -- is on the rise and is expected to continue growing for the foreseeable future, according to a study from technology research firm Ipsos MediaCT.

Reporting on the study, news provider MediaPost notes that overall tablet computer ownership reached 16 percent in 2012, up from 10 percent in September. Breaking it down by demographics, the study finds ownership reached 17 percent among women and 15 percent among men in March.

Households that earn more than $100,000 a year are the most likely to own tablet computers, increasing from 21 percent to 28 percent between September 2011 and March 2012. Ownership among households earning less than $100,000 is growing as well, reaching 12 percent in March.

Intentions to purchase tablet computers are also on the rise. The study finds 26 percent of survey respondents say they will either "probably" or "definitely" purchase a tablet before the year's end, up from 17 percent in September 2011, according to MediaPost.

Many households aren't stopping at just one tablet either. A January study from professional services firm Deloitte says more than 5 million "second tablets" will be sold in 2012, as more families purchase second or even third tablets.