Special Report
In the lead-up to the 2024 election, political polarization was a popular topic of concern among Americans. In a survey conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs in September 2023, 61% of Americans agreed they saw political polarization in the United States as a critical threat, ranking third among all listed major concerns, just behind cyberattacks on U.S. computer networks and weaking U.S. democracy.
Although Trump’s large electoral victory in 2024 — 312 electoral votes to 226 electoral votes for Harris — suggests there is more national consensus that many Americans may have thought, many communities remain highly polarized. While the average margin of victory in all counties nationwide was 42 percentage points, there are 159 counties in which the margin of victory in the 2024 election was less than 5 percentage points. In several counties, the winning candidate won by less than 1 percentage point — a matter of less than 100 votes in some cases.
Many of most purple counties are on the outer edge of larger urban areas, where inner city blue and rural red tend to mix. Of the 40 most politically polarized counties, 14 are in the South, 10 are in the Midwest, eight are in the West, and eight are in the Northeast. A closer look at the data reveals the most politically polarized counties.
To determine the most politically polarized counties, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on county-level election results for the 2024 presidential election. Counties were ranked based on the absolute difference between the percentage of adults who voted for Harris in 2024 and the percentage of adults who voted for Trump in 2024. Supplemental data on the percentage of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree and median household income are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey. Data on county-level presidential election returns are published by data analyst Tony McGovern. City-level population data is from the U.S. Census Bureau.
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 1.3 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.8%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 48.5%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 30.6%
- Median household income: $84,198
- Largest cities: New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Somerset, Mansfield Center, Bliss Corner
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 1.3 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 50.6%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 18.1%
- Median household income: $72,692
- Largest cities: King Cove, Sand Point, Akutan, Cold Bay, False Pass, Nelson Lagoon
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 1.3 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 48.0%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 25.1%
- Median household income: $89,672
- Largest cities: Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Murrieta, Temecula, Jurupa Valley, Menifee
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 1.2 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 48.3%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.6%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 34.5%
- Median household income: $72,623
- Largest cities: Mankato, Eagle Lake, Lake Crystal, Mapleton, Madison Lake, St. Clair, Amboy
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 1.2 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.2%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 50.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 11.2%
- Median household income: $46,561
- Largest cities: Louisville, Wrens, Wadley, Stapleton, Avera, Bartow, Matthews
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 1.2 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.8%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 48.6%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 33.7%
- Median household income: $73,284
- Largest cities: Stevens Point, Plover, Whiting, Amherst, Bancroft, Polonia, Park Ridge
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 1.2 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.4%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 50.6%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 37.2%
- Median household income: $79,814
- Largest cities: Geneva, Canandaigua, Victor, Phelps, Clifton Springs, Shortsville, Manchester
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 1.2 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 50.0%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 48.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 30.1%
- Median household income: $64,581
- Largest cities: Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Evansdale, Hudson, La Porte City, Elk Run Heights, Dunkerton
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 1.0 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.0%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 50.0%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 29.6%
- Median household income: $61,476
- Largest cities: Erie, Northwest Harborcreek, Corry, Edinboro, North East, Lawrence Park, Wesleyville
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 1.0 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.3%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 48.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 33.2%
- Median household income: $85,600
- Largest cities: Reno, Sparks, Sun Valley, Spanish Springs, Cold Springs, Incline Village, Lemmon Valley
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 1.0 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 48.8%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 47.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 22.3%
- Median household income: $49,533
- Largest cities: Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.9 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.1%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 50.1%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 20.2%
- Median household income: $64,536
- Largest cities: Lutcher, South Vacherie, Gramercy, Grand Point, Paulina, North Vacherie, Welcome
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.9 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 48.0%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 48.9%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 21.6%
- Median household income: $88,531
- Largest cities: Stockton, Tracy, Manteca, Lodi, Lathrop, Mountain House, Ripon
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.9 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 48.3%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.1%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 16.1%
- Median household income: $56,393
- Largest cities: El Centro, Calexico, Brawley, Imperial, Heber, Calipatria, Salton City
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.8 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 48.0%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 48.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 41.8%
- Median household income: $84,558
- Largest cities: Granby, Kremmling, Fraser, Hot Sulphur Springs, Tabernash, Winter Park, Grand Lake
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.8 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.6%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 48.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 43.3%
- Median household income: $133,792
- Largest cities: Aquia Harbour, Stafford Courthouse, Falmouth, Southern Gateway, Boswell’s Corner
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.8 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.1%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.9%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 27.9%
- Median household income: $82,374
- Largest cities: East Stroudsburg, Arlington Heights, Stroudsburg, Sierra View, Penn Estates, Indian Mountain Lake, Emerald Lakes
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.8 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.6%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 48.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 11.7%
- Median household income: $50,193
- Largest cities: Greensburg, Montpelier
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.8 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 50.0%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 39.6%
- Median household income: $81,115
- Largest cities: West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Wellington, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.7 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 48.9%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.6%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 16.6%
- Median household income: $57,459
- Largest cities: St. Gabriel, Plaquemine, White Castle, Rosedale, Crescent, Maringouin, Grosse Tete
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.7 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.4%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 48.7%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 12.9%
- Median household income: $41,784
- Largest cities: Forrest City, Hughes, Madison, Palestine, Wheatley, Caldwell, Colt
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.7 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.5%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 48.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 15.5%
- Median household income: $40,149
- Largest cities: Santa Rosa, Vaughn, Puerto de Luna, Anton Chico, Pastura, Llano del Medio, Newkirk
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.7 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.1%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 30.5%
- Median household income: $75,929
- Largest cities: Claremont, Newport, Charlestown, Plainfield
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.7 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.1%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 25.4%
- Median household income: $71,458
- Largest cities: Claremont, Dendron, Surry, Scotland
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.6 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.8%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 44.8%
- Median household income: $72,892
- Largest cities: Wilmington, Murraysville, Myrtle Grove, Ogden, Kings Grant, Porters Neck, Carolina Beach
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.6 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.5%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.0%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 24.6%
- Median household income: $64,363
- Largest cities: Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Roscoe, Rockton, South Beloit, Winnebago
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.5 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.3%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 48.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 39.8%
- Median household income: $52,791
- Largest cities: Radford
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.5 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 48.8%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 35.7%
- Median household income: $80,362
- Largest cities: North Mankato, St. Peter, Nicollet, Courtland, Lafayette
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.5 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 50.3%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.7%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 31.3%
- Median household income: $70,215
- Largest cities: Ticonderoga, Keeseville, Lake Placid, Port Henry, Mineville, Wilmington, Schroon Lake
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.5 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.3%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 48.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 32.3%
- Median household income: $66,043
- Largest cities: Topeka, Silver Lake, Auburn, Rossville, Wakarusa, Willard
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.5 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.2%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 48.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 39.0%
- Median household income: $77,664
- Largest cities: Moorhead, Dilworth, Barnesville, Hawley, Glyndon, Sabin, Ulen
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.5 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.8%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 30.5%
- Median household income: $64,403
- Largest cities: Dayton, Kettering, Huber Heights, Centerville, Riverside, Trotwood, Miamisburg
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.4 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 50.2%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 30.6%
- Median household income: $61,059
- Largest cities: Binghamton, Johnson City, Endicott, Endwell, Binghamton University, Chenango Bridge, Port Dickinson
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.4 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.8%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 20.3%
- Median household income: $51,381
- Largest cities: Wilson, Elm City, Lucama, Black Creek, Stantonsburg, Sims, Saratoga
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.4 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.8%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 13.1%
- Median household income: $43,513
- Largest cities: Brownsville, Stanton
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.3 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.0%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 45.8%
- Median household income: $43,482
- Largest cities: Starkville, Mississippi State, Maben, Sturgis
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.3 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.5%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 27.0%
- Median household income: $80,248
- Largest cities: Monroe, Brodhead, New Glarus, Brooklyn, Monticello, Albany, Juda
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.1 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.0%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.1%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 40.1%
- Median household income: $58,622
- Largest cities: Lafayette, West Lafayette, Shadeland, Battle Ground, Otterbein, Dayton, Clarks Hill
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.1 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.5%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.6%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 43.9%
- Median household income: $111,951
- Largest cities: Levittown, Bristol, Croydon, Morrisville, Quakertown, Perkasie, Fairless Hills
- Presidential election margin in 2024: 0.0 percentage points
- Adults who voted for Harris in 2024: 49.1%
- Adults who voted for Trump in 2024: 49.1%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 41.3%
- Median household income: $84,378
- Largest cities: Easton, St. Michaels, Trappe, Tilghman Island, Oxford, Cordova
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