The Most Democratic County in Each State

With the 2016 presidential primaries less than 12 months away, campaign season is well under way for candidates of both parties. In the last election, President Barack Obama won with about 51% of the popular vote, winning 26 states and the District of Columbia to capture 332 of 538 electoral votes. Despite the Democratic victory, an analysis of the reddest and bluest counties in each state shows stark differences between them.

Based on voting data compiled by political news organization Politico and a review of current and historical representation in the U.S. Congress, 24/7 Wall St. created an index to measure the political leanings of county residents. Shannon County is not just the bluest county in South Dakota, but also the most Democratic county in the nation. Madison County, Idaho, on the other hand, is the reddest county in the state and the country. These are the most Republican-leaning and most Democratic-leaning counties in each state.

Click here to see the most Democratic county in each state.

Click here to see the most Republican county in each state.

In general, people living in the bluest counties tended to be worse-off financially compared to Republican-leaning areas. The bluest counties of 31 states had a lower annual median household income than the comparable national income of $53,046. By contrast, the median household income was higher than the national figure in 29 of the 50 reddest counties.

While Democratic-leaning counties tended to have lower incomes, adults in these areas also tended to have higher educational attainment rates compared to the reddest counties. In the five years through 2013, the percentage of adults who had at least a bachelor’s degree was higher than the comparable national rate of 28.8% in 32 of the 50 bluest counties. This was the case in just 13 of the reddest counties.

The racial composition of counties was also significant. While 74% of Americans identify as white, a lower proportion of the population in 33 of the bluest counties identified as white.On the other hand, the vast majority of residents in most of the reddest counties identified as white. The share of the white population was lower than the 74% of Americans who identify as white in only two of the reddest counties.

While several measures contributed to a county’s leaning, including senate and house votes, the bluest counties almost always had the highest share of votes for the Democratic presidential candidate compared to other counties in the state, and those shares were almost always a majority. However, in four of the bluest counties — Maricopa County, Arizona, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, Summit County, Utah, and Jefferson County, West Virginia — a majority of adults voted for Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Obama still captured the largest shares of votes in these counties compared to other counties in the state.

However, some of the bluest counties are not as blue as those in other states. Macon County, Alabama, for example, has sent Republican Rep. Mike Rogers to Congress each election cycle since 2002, yet in 2012 gave 87.1% of its vote to Obama. And Republican Rep. Mike Simpson was first elected to Congress from Blaine County, Idaho in 1999 and re-elected every two years since, but that county gave 58.8% of its presidential vote to Obama.

To identify the most Democratic county in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the percentage of eligible counties casting votes for Barack Obama in 2012 from Politico, a political news organization. Eligible counties were those that cast more than 2,000 total votes. Additionally, we created an index of each county’s Congressional representation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate since 2007. The highest values of our index were given to counties where Congressional representation was dominated by Democrats. The “bluest” county in each state is the product of our Congressional index and the share of a county’s votes cast for Barack Obama. The percentage of county residents who had attained at least a bachelor’s degree, median household incomes, and the share of residents identifying as white come from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2013 American Community Survey five-year estimates.

These are the most Democratic counties in each state.

Alabama

Obama won 87.1% of the votes in Macon County, the highest share of any county in Alabama. Although voters sent a Democrat to the White House, they sent a Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. from 2009 through 2013, the county’s median household income was $30,724, lower than the national median of $53,046 over the same period. Additionally, more than 27.3% of Macon residents lived in poverty, significantly higher than the national poverty rate of 15.4%.

ALSO READ: The Richest Town in Each State

Alaska

No data available

Arizona

Despite Romney winning Maricopa County, it was the bluest county in Arizona. Obama won 43.2% of the county’s 2012 vote, the highest share of any county in the state. Democrats might have expected the county to swing for Obama though, as the county has been represented by a Democrat in each of the last five congressional sessions. Unlike the bluest county in most states, the county was more than 80% white, and residents had a median household income of $53,596. By comparison, 74% of Americans were white and the national median household income was $53,046.

Arkansas

Washington County is the bluest county in Arkansas. However, unlike blue counties in a majority of states, a minority of the county’s votes went to Obama in 2012. Still, it was the state’s bluest county. Unlike the bluest county in a majority of states, the county was more than 78% white, and residents had a median household income of $41,248. By comparison, whites comprised 74% of the U.S. population, and the national median household income was $53,046.

ALSO READ: The States Where the Rich Are Getting Richer

California

Obama won 83.4% of the votes in San Francisco County, the highest share of any county in California. In addition to sending a Democrat to the White House, the county sent a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. Like the bluest county in most states, San Francisco County was roughly 50% white, a smaller proportion than the national makeup of 74% white. Also county residents had a median household income of $75,604, much higher than the national median household income of $53,046.

Colorado

Denver County is the bluest county in Colorado, with 73.5% of the county’s vote going for Obama in 2012. Democrats likely expected the county to swing for Obama, as the county has been represented by a Democrat in each of the last five congressional sessions. As in democratic-leaning areas across the nation, Denver County residents were well educated. Nearly 43% of Denver County adults had at least a bachelor’s degree, far higher than the national rate.

ALSO READ: Cities With the Highest (and Lowest) Unemployment

Connecticut

Obama won 62.2% of the votes in Hartford County, the highest share of any county in Connecticut. Hartford County has sent only Democrats to the House over the last 10 years. Unlike most democratic-leaning areas, Hartford County’s median household income of nearly $65,000 was far higher than the comparable national figure.

Delaware

The bluest county in Delaware is New Castle County, where Obama won 66.3% of the county’s 2012 vote. Many Democrats likely expected the county to swing for Obama, as the county has been represented by a Democrat in each of the last three congressional sessions. Like the bluest county in a majority of states, the county was roughly 67% white, less than the national makeup of 74%. Also, county residents had a median household income of $64,537, higher than the national median household income of $53,046

ALSO READ: 9 Cities Running Out of Water

Florida

Broward County is the bluest county in Florida, with 67.2% of the residents casting a ballot voting for Obama in 2012. Like many of the bluest counties in each state, where voters overwhelmingly vote for Democrats to represent them in the House and Senate, Broward County sent only Democrats to the House over the last 10 years.

Georgia

Obama won 84.8% of the votes in Clayton County, the highest share of any county in Georgia. In addition to sending a Democrat to the White House, the county sent a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. Like the bluest county in many other states, the county was roughly 22% white, considerably lower than the U.S. population makeup of 74% whites. Also, residents had a median household income of $40,606, much lower than the national median household income of $53,046.

Hawaii

Obama won 74.5% of the votes in Hawaii County, the highest share of any county in Hawaii. In addition to sending a Democrat to the White House, the county helped send Democrats to the U.S. Congress in each of the last five congressional elections. As in Democratic-leaning areas in a majority of states, the county was roughly 33% white, compared to the 74% of Americans who identify as white. Also, county residents had a median household income of $51,250, slightly lower than the national median household income of $53,046, and far lower than the state’s median household income of $67,402.

ALSO READ: The Best (and Worst) Paying Cities for Women

Idaho

The bluest county in Idaho is Blaine County, where Obama won 58.8% of the county’s 2012 vote. While the county voted for Obama in the presidential election, it sent a Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. from 2009 through 2013, the county’s median household income was $64,042, higher than the national median of $53,046 over the same period. Additionally, only 8.3% of Blaine County residents lived in poverty compared to 15.4% of Americans.

Illinois

The bluest county in Illinois is Cook County, longtime home of Obama who later won 74% of the county’s 2012 vote. While the county voted for Obama in the presidential election, it sent a Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. from 2009 through 2013, the county’s median household income was $54,548, slightly higher than the national median of $53,046 over the same period. Additionally, 16.9% of Cook County residents lived in poverty versus 15.4% of Americans.

ALSO READ: States With the Highest Gas Prices

Indiana

Lake County is the bluest county in Indiana, with Obama winning 64.9% of the county’s 2012 vote. As in many of the bluest counties in each state, Lake County adults overwhelmingly vote for Democrats to represent them in the House. The county sent only Democrats to the House over the last 10 years. Unlike many other democratic-leaning areas, just 20% of area adults had at least a bachelor’s degree, versus the national average attainment rate of 28.8%.

Iowa

Johnson County is the bluest county in Iowa, with 66.9% of the county’s vote going to Obama in 2012. As in the bluest counties in many states, Johnson County voters overwhelmingly vote for Democrats in congressional elections. The county sent only democrats to the House in each of the last 10 years.

Kansas

Obama won 60.5% of the votes in Douglas County, the highest share of any county in Kansas. While some of the bluest counties in each state regularly send Democrats to the House and Senate, Douglas County is more even in its representation. The county sent both Democrats and Republicans to the House over the last 10 years. A Republican, however, now occupies the seat.

ALSO READ: The Best and Worst States to Be Unemployed

Kentucky

The bluest county in Kentucky is Jefferson County, where Obama won 54.8% of the county’s 2012 vote. While the county voted for Obama in the presidential election, it sent a Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. From 2009 through 2013, the county’s median household income was $46,959, lower than the national median of $53,046 over the same period. Additionally, 16.7% of Jefferson County residents lived in poverty compared to 15.4% of Americans.

Louisiana

Obama won 80.3% of the votes in Orleans County. Although voters sent a Democrat to the White House, they sent a Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. From 2009 through 2013, the county’s median household income was $37,146, much lower than the national median of $53,046 over the same period. Also, more than 27.3% of Orleans residents lived in poverty, significantly higher than the national poverty rate of 15.4%.

ALSO READ: 15 Cities With the Most High-Tech Jobs

Maine

Cumberland County is the bluest county in Maine, with 60.5% of the county’s vote going for Obama in 2012. While some of the bluest counties in each state also overwhelmingly vote for Democrats to represent them in the House and Senate, Cumberland County is more even in its representation. The county sent both Democrats and Republicans to the House over the last 10 years. A Democrat, however, now occupies the seat.

Maryland

Obama won 90.1% of the votes in Prince George’s County, the highest share of any county in Maryland. In addition to sending a Democrat to the White House, the county sent a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. As in the bluest county in many other states, Prince George’s County was roughly 21% white, versus the 74% of the U.S. population who identified as white. Like the state as a whole, the county’s median household income of $73,623 was far higher than the national median household income of $53,046. Former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley recently announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Massachusetts

Obama won 77.6% of the votes in Suffolk County, the highest share of any county in Massachusetts. Like the bluest counties in many states, Suffolk County adults overwhelmingly voted for Democrats to represent them in the House and Senate. The county is now represented by only Democrats in the U.S. Congress.

Michigan

Obama won 73.1% of the votes in Wayne County, the highest share of any county in Michigan. In addition to sending a Democrat to the White House, the county sent a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. Like other predominantly Democratic areas, the county was roughly 53% white, and residents had a median household income of $41,184. By comparison, 74% of the U.S. population was white and the national median household income was $53,046.

ALSO READ: Companies Profiting from War

Minnesota

Ramsey County is the bluest county in Minnesota, with 66.6% of the county’s vote going for Obama in 2012. As in the bluest counties in most states, Ramsey County voters have also overwhelmingly voted for Democrats to represent them in the House and Senate. The county has sent only Democrats to the House in each of the last four congressional elections.

Mississippi

Obama won 88.7% of the votes in Jefferson County, the highest share of any county in Mississippi. In addition to sending a Democrat to the White House, the county sent a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections.The county was roughly 14% white, a much smaller proportion than the U.S. population makeup of 74% whites. County residents had a median household income of $26,028, less than half the national median household income of $53,046.

ALSO READ: The Largest Employer in Each State

Missouri

Obama won 82.7% of the votes in St. Louis County, the highest share of any county in Missouri. While some of the bluest counties in each state have regularly voted for Democrats to represent them in the House and Senate, St. Louis County has been more even in its representation. The county has sent both Democrats and Republicans to the House and Senate over the last 10 years. Democrat Rep. William Clay Jr. now occupies the seat in the House.

Montana

The bluest county in Montana is Glacier County, where Obama won 64.9% of the county’s 2012 vote. While the county voted for Obama in the presidential election, it sent a Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. From 2009 through 2013, the county’s median household income was $33,519, much lower than the national median of $53,046 over the same period. In addition, more than 33.7% of Glacier County residents lived in poverty, more than double the national poverty rate of 15.4%.

Nebraska

The bluest county in Nebraska is Lancaster County, where Obama won 48.7% of the county’s 2012 vote. Despite Romney winning the county, the percentage of adults voting for Obama was the highest compared to any other county in the state. Unlike other predominantly Democratic areas, the county was more than 88% white, and residents had a median household income of $51,574. By comparison, 74% of Americans were white and the national median household income was $53,046.

ALSO READ: States Volunteering the Most (and Least)

Nevada

Obama won 56.4% of the votes in Clark County. While the county has helped elect both Democrats and Republicans to the U.S. Senate, it has sent only Democrats to the U.S. House of Representatives over the last 10 years. Unlike the bluest county in most states, Clark County adults have a relatively low college attainment rate, with 22.1% having attained at least a bachelor’s degree.

New Hampshire

Obama won 61.7% of the votes in Cheshire County, and is the bluest county in New Hampshire. While some of the bluest counties in each state have overwhelmingly voted for Democrats to represent them in the House and Senate, Cheshire County has been more even in its representation. The county has sent both Democrats and Republicans to the House over the last 10 years. A Democrat now occupies the seat.

ALSO READ: The States With the Strongest and Weakest Unions

New Jersey

Obama won 77.4% of the votes in Essex County, the highest share of any county in New Jersey. Although voters sent a Democrat to the White House, they sent a Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. From 2009 through 2013, the county’s median household income was $55,095, higher than the national median of $53,046 over the same period. However, the county’s median income was far lower than the state’s $71,629.

New Mexico

Obama won 78.1% of the votes in Taos County. In addition to sending a Democrat to the White House, the county sent a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. Like predominantly Democratic areas in most states, the county was roughly 61% white whereas whites comprised 74% of the national population. County residents had a median household income of $32,637, considerably lower than the national median household income of $53,046.

New York

Obama won 91.2% of the votes in Bronx County, the highest share of any county in New York. In addition to sending a Democrat to the White House, the Bronx sent Democrats to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. Like the bluest county in 16 other states, a minority of Bronx residents identified as white — just 22%. Also, county residents had a median household income of $34,388, much lower than the national median household income of $53,046. Hillary Clinton, who was elected to the U.S. Senate from New York in 2000, and later served as the U.S. Secretary of State in Obama’s administration, is a Democratic presidential candidate for the 2016 elections.

ALSO READ: Eight Housing Markets With the Longest Road to Recovery

North Carolina

The bluest county in North Carolina is Durham County, where Obama won 75.9% of the county’s 2012 vote. While the county voted for Obama in the presidential election, it sent a Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. From 2009 through 2013, the county’s median household income was $51,853, lower than the national median of $53,046 over the same period. However, the county’s median income was higher than the state figure of $46,334. More than 18.5% of Durham County residents lived in poverty, compared to 15.4% of Americans.

North Dakota

The bluest county in North Dakota is Rolette County, where Obama won 74% of the county’s 2012 vote. While the bluest counties overwhelmingly vote for Democrats to represent them in the U.S. Congress, Rolette County has helped elect both Republicans and Democrats over the last 10 years. Like predominantly Democratic areas in many other states, the county was roughly 20% white, a fraction of the 74% of Americans who identify as white. Also, county residents had a median household income of $31,336, much lower than the national median household income of $53,046.

ALSO READ: America’s Fastest Growing Cities

Ohio

Obama won 68.8% of the votes in Cuyahoga County. As in the bluest counties in most states, Cuyahoga County has overwhelmingly voted for Democrats to represent them in the House. The county has sent only Democrats to the House over the last 10 years. Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur currently occupies the seat.

Oklahoma

The bluest county in Oklahoma is Oklahoma County, where Obama won 41.7% of the county’s 2012 vote. While most votes in the county went for Romney, Obama still won a greater percentage than any other county in the state. Like the bluest county in many other states, the county was roughly 69% white, and residents had a median household income of $45,215. By comparison, 74% of the U.S. population was white and the national median household income was $53,046.

Oregon

Multnomah County is the bluest county in Oregon, with 75.8% of the county’s vote going for Obama in 2012. As in the bluest counties in many other states, Multnomah County has overwhelmingly voted for Democrats to represent them in the House and Senate. The county has sent only Democrats to the House over the last 10 years.

ALSO READ: America’s Fastest Shrinking Cities

Pennsylvania

Obama won 85.2% of the votes in Philadelphia County. While some of the bluest counties in each state have regularly voted for Democrats to represent them in the House and Senate, Philadelphia County has been more even in its representation. The county has helped elect both Democrats and Republicans to U.S. Congress over the last 10 years. Democrat Robert Brady now occupies the seat in the House.

Rhode Island

Obama won 66.6% of the votes in Providence County, the highest share of any county in Rhode Island. In addition to sending a Democrat to the White House, the county sent a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. Unlike other predominantly Democratic areas, the county was more than 73% white, roughly in line with the 74% of the U.S. population who identify as white. Residents had a median household income of $49,297, lower than the national median household income of $53,046. Former Governor Lincoln Chafee recently entered the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. Oddly enough, Chafee spent most of his political career as a Republican.

ALSO READ: America’s Least Healthy Fast Food Chains

South Carolina

Obama won 78.3% of the votes in Allendale County, the highest share of any county in South Carolina. In addition to sending a Democrat to the White House, the county sent a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections.The county was roughly 24% white, a far lower proportion than the U.S. composition of 74%. Also, county residents had a median household income of $25,252, less than half the national median household income of $53,046.

South Dakota

The bluest county in South Dakota is Shannon County, where Obama won 93.4% of the county’s 2012 vote. While the bluest county in most states overwhelmingly voted for Democrats to represent them in the U.S. Congress, Shannon County’s representation has been more even. Over the last five congressional elections, Shannon County helped elect both Republicans and Democrats. The county was roughly 4% white, with a majority of residents identifying as American Indian. By contrast, 74% of Americans identified as white. Also, county residents had a median household income of just $25,648, less than half the national median household income of $53,046.

Tennessee

Obama won 62.6% of the votes in Shelby County, the highest share of any county in Tennessee. In addition to sending a Democrat to the White House, the county sent a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. As in the bluest county in many other states, Shelby County was roughly 41% white, whereas 74% of the U.S. population was white. Also, county residents had a median household income of $46,250, lower than the national median household income of $53,046. However, county households had a higher median income than the state figure of $44,298.

ALSO READ: The Healthiest (and Least Healthy) Countries in the World

Texas

Obama won 86.4% of the votes in Starr County, the highest share of any county in Texas. In addition to sending a Democrat to the White House, the county sent a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. Unlike other predominantly Democratic areas, the county was more than 94% white compared to 74% of the U.S. population that self-identified as white. Also, residents had a median household income of $24,927, less than half the national median household income of $53,046.

Utah

Despite Romney swinging Summit County, it was the bluest county in Utah, with Obama winning 46.1% of the county’s 2012 vote. This was the highest share compared to other counties in Utah. The county has helped send only Republicans to the U.S. Congress over the last five congressional elections. Unlike other predominantly Democratic areas, the county was more than 94% white, and residents had a median household income of $83,336. By comparison, 74% of the U.S. population was white and the national median household income was $53,046.

ALSO READ: The Happiest (and Most Miserable) Cities in America

Vermont

Obama won 73.7% of the votes in Windham County, the highest share of any county in Vermont. In addition to sending a Democrat to the White House, the county helped send a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. Unlike many other predominantly Democratic areas, the county was more than 95% white, versus the 74% of Americans who identify as white. Residents had a median household income of $50,234, lower than the national median household income of $53,046. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders — the only independent member of congress — is among the current candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Virginia

The bluest county in Virginia is Richmond County, where Obama won 77.1% of the county’s 2012 vote. While the county voted for Obama in the presidential election, it sent a Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. From 2009 through 2013, the county’s median household income was $40,496, lower than the national median of $53,046 over the same period. Additionally, more than 25.6% of Richmond County residents lived in poverty, compared to 15.4% of Americans.

ALSO READ: 10 Cars Americans Don’t Want to Buy

Washington

Obama won 68.8% of the votes in King County, the highest share of any county in Washington. In addition to sending a Democrat to the White House, the county helped send Democrats to the U.S. Congress in each of the last 10 years. The county was roughly 70% white, about the same composition of the U.S. population. Unlike the bluest county in many other states, county residents had a median household income of $71,811, much higher than the median household income of $53,046.

West Virginia

The bluest county in West Virginia is Jefferson County, where Obama won only 46.9% of the county’s 2012 vote. While Romney won the county, Obama’s 46.9% share was higher than in any other county in West Virginia. Unlike other predominantly Democratic areas, the county was more than 88% white, and residents had a median household income of $65,304. By comparison, 74% of the U.S. population was white and the national median household income of $53,046.

ALSO READ: The Poorest Town in Each State

Wisconsin

Obama won 71.1% of the votes in Dane County. While some of the bluest counties in each state regularly vote for Democrats to represent them in the U.S. Congress, Dane County is more even in its representation. The county has sent both Democrats and Republicans to the U.S. Congress over the last 10 years. Democrat Rep. Mark Pocan now represents the county.

Wyoming

Obama won 54.7% of the votes in Teton County, the highest share of any county in Wyoming. Although voters sent a Democrat to the White House, they sent a Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives in each of the last five congressional elections. From 2009 through 2013, the county’s median household income was $68,078, higher than the national median of $53,046 over the same period. Additionally, unlike in many other predominantly Democratic counties, 8.2% of Teton residents lived in poverty, much lower than the national poverty rate of 15.4%.

ALSO READ: 10 States With the Most Gun Violence