Conservative Or Liberal? The Most Popular Political Party Of U.S. Cities
Ever wondered which different American towns lean which way politically? Do you have certain ideas in your mind about how American cities probably fall on the political spectrum? You just might be surprised!
The U.S. cities on this list might not have voted for the political party that you would expect in recent elections, as it only took a small margin to turn the city from blue to red, or red to blue.
Conservative: Anaheim, California
Anaheim is the enchanting home of Disneyland, boasting a mix of thrilling theme parks, sports venues, and a vibrant entertainment scene in the heart of Orange County!
While California is pretty famously a blue state, Anaheim has historically been pretty quick to vote red, with four of the last six elections in the city leaning toward the Republicans by 2023!
Liberal: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is a bustling coastal city with beautiful beaches, rich history, and a diverse array of recreational activities for locals and visitors alike!
In 2020, Joe Biden won Virginia Beach by about five percentage points, and along with the jurisdictions of Chesapeake and James City County, accounted for half the votes in the region.
Conservative: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the dynamic capital of Oklahoma, blending Western heritage with urban modernity, offering a warm welcome, a lively arts scene, and a booming energy industry.
Sixty-six percent of the population of Oklahoma City voted Republican in the 2020 election, showing that this city is pretty-handedly conservative-leaning when it comes to politics!
Liberal: Chicago, Illinois
The iconic Windy City is renowned for its impressive architecture, sports communities, deep-rooted blues and jazz culture, diverse neighborhoods, and delectable deep-dish pizza. And, of course, you can't forget the historic Bean!
It's not usually surprising to see metropolitan areas with big populations go blue during elections, and Chicago is no different!
Conservative: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a picturesque mountain city nestled in the Rockies, offering breathtaking views, outdoor adventures, a strong military presence, and a thriving sports and wellness community!
Colorado Springs also has a rich history of conservatism, evident through its military heritage, emphasis on traditional values, and active involvement in conservative political movements.
Conservative: Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is a coastal city with beautiful beaches, a thriving port, diverse neighborhoods, and a lively cultural scene that reflects its Southern charm! The city also has a pretty strong military presence.
In the 2020 election, Jacksonville voted 57% Republican, aligning with its historical roots in conservatism and voting red.
Liberal: Austin, Texas
Austin is considered the "Live Music Capital of the World" and features a laid-back atmosphere, vibrant arts scene, outdoor recreation, and a booming tech industry. Members of the community work together to "Keep Austin Weird."
Austin's liberal identity is steeped in progressive politics, the thriving LGBTQ+ community, environmental initiatives, and advocacy for social issues like healthcare and education.
Conservative: Arlington, Texas
Arlington, Texas, is a dynamic city between Dallas and Fort Worth, known for hosting major sports events, Six Flags amusement park, and diverse entertainment options.
Arlington's historical conservatism is evident through its pro-business policies, emphasis on family values, and a predominantly Republican-leaning political landscape in both local and state elections.
Liberal: St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an iconic Midwestern city marked by its majestic Gateway Arch, thriving riverfront, rich cultural heritage, and renowned sports teams!
St. Louis has a history of liberal activism, with strong labor movements, civil rights advocacy, and a diverse population that supports both progressive policies and a ton of different social causes.
Conservative: Mesa, Arizona
Mesa, Arizona, is a vibrant desert city known for its sunny climate, cultural attractions, and a strong sense of community! It's located 20 miles away from Phoenix and is one of the largest suburban cities in the country, with a population of 520,000!
Mesa's historical conservatism stems from its strong adherence to traditional values, religious influence, support for small businesses, and a preference for Republican candidates in elections.
Liberal: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philly is a historic city and the birthplace of America's independence! It boasts iconic landmarks like Liberty Bell and vibrant neighborhoods, with a passion for arts, culture, and sports.
Philadelphia has a significant liberal heritage, from its pivotal role in the American Revolution to being a hub of progressive activism, LGBTQ+ rights support, and commitment to social justice.
Conservative: Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska, is a vibrant city in the heart of the Midwest, offering a mix of cultural attractions, excellent steakhouses, and a friendly, close-knit community.
Omaha has a long history of conservatism, with a strong Republican presence, traditional values, and a pretty strong focus on pro-business policies and family-oriented communities.
Liberal: New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a captivating city with a unique blend of French, African, and Spanish influences, famous for its jazz music, Cajun cuisine, and vibrant Mardi Gras celebrations.
New Orleans has a historically liberal spirit, reflected in its diverse culture, arts scene, and advocacy for civil rights, as well as its resilience and community spirit after natural disasters.
Conservative: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a thriving city in Oklahoma renowned for its vibrant arts scene, rich oil heritage, welcoming Southern charm, and a variety of outdoor activities.
Tulsa has historically been a conservative stronghold, with a pretty significant Republican presence, emphasis on traditional values, and a very pro-business and energy-oriented economy.
Liberal: Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles is the glitzy entertainment capital of the country, known for Hollywood's movie industry, stunning beaches, diverse culinary scene, and a melting pot of cultures.
Los Angeles has a progressive history, embracing social movements, environmental initiatives, LGBTQ+ rights, and leading in progressive policies within California's liberal landscape.
Liberal: San Francisco, California
San Francisco is a vibrant city on California's coast, famous for its Golden Gate Bridge, diverse culture, innovative tech industry, and progressive arts scene!
It's also a famously progressive city politically, and its liberal roots run deep, with a history of activism, LGBTQ+ rights advocacy, environmental consciousness, and pioneering social policies.
Conservative: Aurora, Colorado
Aurora is a diverse and growing city in Colorado, offering a range of recreational opportunities, cultural attractions, and a welcoming community atmosphere. And talk about beautiful!
Aurora's political landscape has been historically moderate, although it has recently been leaning conservative, which leads to a balanced representation of viewpoints within the city.
Liberal: Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore, Maryland, is a historic port city with charming neighborhoods, renowned seafood, rich maritime heritage, and cultural attractions like the Inner Harbor!
Baltimore has a strong liberal tradition, which has been exemplified by its active civil rights history, support for social welfare programs, and commitment to urban revitalization and community development.
Conservative: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is a picturesque city nestled in Tennessee, known for its scenic beauty, outdoor adventures, rich history, and thriving arts and music scene.
Chattanooga has a conservative-leaning, with a historically strong Republican presence, an emphasis on traditional values, and a very strong focus on supporting local businesses and industries.
Liberal: Seattle, Washington
Seattle is a vibrant Pacific Northwest city surrounded by stunning landscapes, known for its coffee culture, the tech industry, diverse communities, and iconic Space Needle!
Seattle is a historically liberal city that has championed progressive causes, environmental sustainability, LGBTQ+ rights, and pioneered minimum wage laws, shaping the city's inclusive and forward-thinking reputation.
Conservative: Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette is an adorable and charming city in Louisiana, celebrated for its Cajun and Creole culture, delectable cuisine, lively festivals, and famous Southern hospitality.
Lafayette has a conservative tradition, with a prevalent Republican influence, strong adherence to traditional values, and a very deep connection to its cultural heritage and religious roots.
Liberal: Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is a resilient city with a rich industrial past, located near Niagara Falls, offering cultural gems like Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture and a passion for sports.
Buffalo has a mixed political history, with a predominantly Democratic-leaning urban core but also conservative pockets in surrounding areas, contributing to its diverse political landscape!
Conservative: Tyler, Texas
Tyler is a vibrant city in the Lone Star State, known for its blooming rose industry, friendly community, cultural events, and commitment to education.
Tyler has historically been a conservative stronghold, with a significant Republican presence, emphasis on family values, and a focus on promoting local businesses and economic growth.
Liberal: New York City, New York
The bustling "Big Apple" is known for its iconic skyline, Broadway shows, diverse neighborhoods, global cuisine, and a melting pot of cultures!
New York City has a deep and longstanding liberal tradition, advocating for progressive policies, social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and serving as a hub for arts, media, and innovation.
Conservative: The Woodlands, Texas
The Woodlands is a picturesque master-planned community near Houston, offering lush green spaces, top-notch schools, family-friendly amenities, and a strong sense of community.
The Woodlands has a conservative-leaning, with a majority of the residents of the city supporting Republican candidates, emphasizing traditional values, and historically promoting local businesses and family-oriented lifestyles.
Liberal: Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan, is a city with a rich automotive history, renowned Motown music, sports passion, and revitalization efforts to restore its urban charm to its former glory!
Detroit has a mixed political landscape, historically leaning Democratic but also seeing conservative influence in some suburban areas, shaping its diverse political identity.
Conservative: Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville is a beautiful, scenic city in Tennessee, nestled against the Great Smoky Mountains, celebrated for its college sports culture, rich history, and friendly Southern charm.
Knoxville has historically leaned conservative, with a significant Republican presence, emphasis on traditional values, and a focus on supporting local businesses and community development.
Liberal: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a vibrant city nestled in the "Twin Cities," celebrated for its beautiful lakes, thriving arts scene, bike-friendly culture, and diverse communities of all kinds!
Minneapolis is historically liberal, advocating for social equality, progressive policies, and environmental sustainability, as well as playing a pivotal role in civil rights activism.
Conservative: Frisco, Texas
Frisco is a rapidly growing city in Texas, boasting excellent schools, modern amenities, sports facilities, and a thriving community spirit.
Frisco, like a lot of Texas cities, has a pretty strong conservative-leaning, with a majority of residents supporting Republican candidates, emphasizing pro-business policies, and maintaining a family-friendly environment within their city.
Liberal: Boston, Massachusettes
Boston is one of the most famous cities in the country, steeped in American history. Boston boasts prestigious universities, a strong sports culture, rich seafood traditions, and charming neighborhoods.
Boston has a mixed political identity, historically having a slightly more liberal influence, reflecting a diverse range of viewpoints and ideologies.
