Households with Internet access tend to receive more magazines and newspapers by mail than those without, according to the Postal Service’s Household Diary Study.

Wired households in 2012 received an average of 42 periodicals compared to 36 for those without Internet access.

In 2012, “a household member ordered and paid for 45 percent of the total periodicals sent,” according to the study. Another 33 percent of subscriptions were free, often associated with memberships in professional, fraternal or religious organizations.

Paid subscriptions to periodicals have remained relatively steady over the years, accounting for 45 percent of all subscriptions in 2012. Free subscriptions accounted for 27 percent in 2012 — an increase over prior years (USPS currently is compiling and analyzing data for the 2013 study).

Overall, households received 5.1 billion periodicals by mail in 2012, lower than previous years. On average, households received 31 magazines and five newspapers by mail in 2012.

The study noted technology is changing the way consumers receive and subscribe to periodicals. Consumers are using iPads and other e-readers to read newspapers and magazines. The study concludes as Internet access becomes more common, “more periodicals will be delivered electronically.”

Editor’s note: This story is the last in a series on the 2012 Household Diary Study. This comprehensive report measures mail sent and received by U.S. households, providing a means to track trends over time.