Most Conservative States [Updated April 2023] (2024)

What states are conservative in the United States? What are conservative politics? The Republican Party is the major conservative party in the United States. Conservative politics aims for a smaller, deregulated government and desires to preserve the political philosophy and regulations articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. There is an aversion to rapid change and a strong belief that traditional morality, such as articulated in the Bible, needs to be preserved. Additionally, conservatives also emphasize the importance of free-market capitalism and free trade.

Conservative politics generally opposes liberal politics, which generally places a greater value on social justice, ensuring access to healthcare, regulating economic activity, and social equality. A few of the most liberal states in the U.S. are Hawaii, Massachusetts, and California. The Democratic Party is considered to be the liberal political party of the United States. U.S. citizens typically identify as either Democratic or Republican, or liberal or conservative.

Conservative states are those states with a predominantly conservative population that consistently elect conservative-leaning legislation. Conservative states often have low taxes, limited gun laws, high religious participation, and limited business regulations. Republican, or "red," states are the most conservative-leaning states. Wyoming is the most Republican state in the U.S.. 67% of residents in Wyoming identify as Republican or Republican-leaning. Wyoming has low taxes across the board, including no state income tax. The state has elected a Republican Party candidate for every presidential election since the 1950s, except for the 1964 election.

Most Conservative U.S. States

The following is a list of the most conservative states in the United States. These findings are based on the Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI). This index compares the average party share of the Democratic versus Republican two-party presidential votes in a state compared to the national average. For example, if the US as a whole had a 48% Republican vote and a state had a 60% Republican vote, the state would have a PVI score of R+12.

1. Wyoming

Wyoming is the most conservative state in the U.S. 46% of Wyoming residents identify as Conservative. Wyoming has low taxes across the board, including no state income tax. Wyoming has elected a Republican Party candidate for every presidential election since the 1950s, except for the 1964 election. As of 2023, the state’s PVI score was R+25, with 69.9% of the state voting for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

2. West Virginia

With an R+22 PVI score, West Virginia is the second-most conservative state in the U.S. 45% of voters identify as conservative in West Virginia. In comparison, only 17% identify as liberal. In the 2020 election, Donald Trump took 68.6% of the vote, up slightly from the 2016 election.

3. Oklahoma

Oklahoma, which is mostly conservative, has an R+20 PVI score. Oklahoma had only four blue counties in the whole state during the 2018 midterm election. 65.4% of voters voted Republican in the 2020 presidential election, and the state has voted Republican in 15 out of the last 16 elections.

4. North Dakota

Another state with an R+20 PVI, North Dakota is a Republican stronghold. While 63% of the state voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election, this number rose to 65.1% by the 2020 presidential election. This growth shows a possibly larger conservative population in future elections as well.

5. Idaho

Idaho also saw a growing percentage of Republican voters between the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. In 2016, 59.3% voted for Donald Trump while he took 63.8% of the vote in 2020. Based on the PVI, Idaho is an R+18 state. This is a state that hasn’t elected a Democratic presidential candidate since 2000, and only 29% of the time since 1900.

6. Arkansas

Arkansas also has not voted for a Democratic president since 2000, although it did so more than half the time from 1900 to now. This shows that the state has become more conservative over time. Now, it sits as an R+16 PVI score, with 62.4% of the state voting for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

7. Kentucky

Kentucky also has an R+16 PVI. The state overwhelmingly supported Donald Trump in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections with 62.5% and 62.1% of the vote respectively. Between 1900 and 1960, the state actually leaned Democratic, but it hasn’t voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1996. Kentucky is clearly a state that is becoming more conservative over time.

8. Alabama

Alabama comes in as the eighth-most conservative state in the country, with 46% of voters identifying as conservative. Alabama has a PVI of R+15; 62% of the state voted Republican in the 2020 presidential election. Alabama has voted Republican in the last eleven presidential elections, and 62.1% of voters voted Republican in the 2016 presidential election. Many residents of Alabama are also avid church-goers, which often correlates with conservative values.

9. South Dakota

With 44% of voters identifying as conservative, South Dakota is the ninth-most conservative state in the United States. In the 2016 presidential election, 61.5% of voters voted Republican, a margin of 29.8% over the 31.7% who voted Democratic. This slightly increased to 61.8% in 2020. South Dakota has not voted for a Democratic president since 1964.

10. Tennessee

Tennessee is the tenth-most conservative state in the United States. It has a PVI of R+14, with 60.7% voting for the Republican presidential candidate in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. Since 1950, Tennessee has only voted for a Democratic presidential candidate four times.

While there are very conservative states in the U.S., there are many very conservative cities, too. Some of these cities fall within the borders of already conservative states, while other cities are outliers in their home states. Here are the ten most conservative cities in the United States: Mesa, Arizona; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Virginia Beach, VA; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Jacksonville, Florida; Arlington, Texas; Anaheim, California; Omaha, Nebraska; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Aurora, Colorado.

Most Conservative States [Updated April 2023] (2024)

FAQs

What US states are the most conservative? ›

Wyoming is the most Republican state in the U.S.. 67% of residents in Wyoming identify as Republican or Republican-leaning. Wyoming has low taxes across the board, including no state income tax.

What's the most conservative city in America? ›

The most conservative city in the USA is Jackson. Located in Mississippi's southwestern region, this capital city is home to a voting population of roughly 150,000 people. Of the area's voters, roughly 72% identify as Conservative, and the 2020 Presidential Election poll results reflect this leaning.

Is Tennessee a liberal state? ›

Tennessee's politics are currently dominated by the Republican Party. Republicans currently hold both of the state's U.S. Senate seats, a majority of Congressional seats, and the state legislature.

Is Alaska a conservative state? ›

Although in its early years of statehood, Alaska was a Democratic state, since the early 1970s it has been characterized as Republican-leaning. Local political communities have often worked on issues related to land use development, fishing, tourism, and individual rights.

What state is most Republican? ›

However, it is important to note that Washington D.C. (while not a state) has 3 electoral votes and 76% of residents identify as Democrats, while 6% identify as Republicans. Wyoming was the most Republican state, with 59% of residents identifying as Republican, and only 25% of residents identifying as Democratic.

What is the most liberal state? ›

Most Liberal States [Updated April 2023]
  1. Massachusetts. Massachusetts is the most liberal state in the U.S., with 35% of voters identifying as liberal. ...
  2. Hawaii. Hawaii is the second-most liberal state in the United States. ...
  3. Rhode Island. ...
  4. California. ...
  5. New York. ...
  6. Vermont. ...
  7. Maryland. ...
  8. New Jersey.

What is the most liberal city in the world? ›

Amsterdam: A History of the World's Most Liberal City (Hardcover)

What House is the most conservative Democrats? ›

The modern Blue Dog Coalition remains the most conservative grouping of Democrats in the House, broadly adopting socially liberal and fiscally conservative policies and promoting fiscal restraint. Blue Dogs are mostly elected in Republican-leaning districts. The caucus currently has nine members.

What is the best liberal city to live in? ›

  • #8. Bluemont, Virginia. ...
  • #7. Mid-City, California. ...
  • #6. University South, California. ...
  • #5. Great Neck Gardens, New York. ...
  • #4. Brookline, Massachusetts. - Population: 59,223. ...
  • #3. Ocean Park, California. - Population: 12,072. ...
  • #2. Radnor/Fort Myer Heights, Virginia. - Population: 11,927. ...
  • #1. Ardmore, Pennsylvania. - Population: 13,567.
Nov 21, 2022

Is Kansas City red or blue? ›

In the last 100 years, only four Republicans have served as mayor. Kansas City is heavily Democratic in the south and east, but tends to be more Republican-leaning in the north.

Is South Carolina a conservative state? ›

The state of South Carolina was preceded by the Crown Colony of South Carolina, a constitutional monarchy which was overthrown during the American Revolution. Presently, South Carolina's government is formed as a representative democracy. South Carolina is a largely conservative, Republican state.

Is Virginia a conservative state? ›

Political orientation varies by region, with the larger cities and suburban areas generally voting Democratic and the rural areas voting Republican. The southern, rural regions have remained rural and conservative.

Is Wyoming a conservative state? ›

No. The U.S. state of Wyoming is known for its reliably conservative politics and heavy support for the Republican Party, particularly in federal elections. Democratic voters, in the minority, are concentrated in more urban areas such as Teton County.

Is Texas a conservative state? ›

Texas is a majority Republican state with Republicans controlling every statewide office. Texas Republicans have majorities in the State House and Senate, an entirely Republican Texas Supreme Court, control of both Senate seats in the US Congress. Texas is America's most-populous Republican state.

Is Oklahoma a conservative state? ›

Oklahoma is currently categorized politically as conservative. The state has a history of Democratic state government dominance. Oklahoma came into being as a state at the height of the era of Jim Crow Laws and had a Ku Klux Klan presence in the 1920s.

What is the most Democratic state? ›

Most Democratic States
  1. Hawaii. With a PVI of D+18, Hawaii is the most democratic state in the United States. ...
  2. Vermont. Vermont is the second-most Democratic state in the U.S. with a PVI of D+15. ...
  3. California. ...
  4. Maryland. ...
  5. Massachusetts. ...
  6. New York. ...
  7. Rhode Island. ...
  8. Illinois.

What is the bluest state? ›

Here are the 10 "Bluest" states by PVI:
  • Vermont - D+16.
  • Massachusetts - D+15.
  • Maryland - D+14.
  • Hawaii - D+14.
  • California - D+13.
  • New York - D+10.
  • Washington - D+8.
  • Rhode Island - D+8.

What percent of American are Republican? ›

U.S. Political Party Identification, 1988-2022

In 2022, 41% of U.S. adults identified as independents, 28% as Republicans and 28% as Democrats. More Americans usually identify as Democrats than as Republicans.

What is the least conservative state? ›

A new report from the Center for Legislative Accountability (CLA) has ranked all 50 states from most to least conservative, with Alabama leading as the most conservative state in the U.S. and Massachusetts as the least conservative.

What's the most liberal town in America? ›

1. Washington D.C. The most liberal city in the United States is Washington, D.C., the nation's proud capital city. Located in the District of Columbia, this area is home to roughly 670,000 people and is often viewed as its state as opposed to a traditional city.

Is Colorado a liberal or Republican state? ›

Once considered a purple state that used to be somewhat Republican, Colorado has been trending Democratic since the early part of the 21st century due to changing demographics and a rising number of the large unaffiliated bloc of voters leaning Democratic.

What is voted most recognized city in America? ›

1. New York City. The Big Apple is easily the most famous city in the US.

Which party is more liberal? ›

As of 2021, about one quarter of the American public self-identifies as liberal, making it the smallest of the mainstream ideological groups. The Democratic Party represents liberals in the United States, with 50% of Democrats identifying as liberal, compared to only 4% of Republicans.

What do most liberals believe in? ›

The fundamental liberal ideals of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the separation of church and state, the right to due process and equality under the law are widely accepted as a common foundation of liberalism.

Which Congress is the most conservative? ›

The Freedom Caucus, also known as the House Freedom Caucus, is a congressional caucus consisting of Republican members of the United States House of Representatives. It is generally considered to be the most conservative and farthest-right bloc within the House Republican Conference.

Who is the most conservative person in Congress? ›

1. Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) Flake, the incoming Senator from Arizona, earned the distinction of being the most conservative member of the House of Representatives during the 112th Congress.

Who are progressive Democrats? ›

The Progressive Democrats were described as consrvative liberals, liberal, and classical liberal. The party's economic policies were based on neoliberalism. They supported the freedom of private enterprise and the lowering of taxes.

What is the cheapest liberal town? ›

Oberlin College

The most affordable liberal college town is Oberlin, Ohio. Home to Oberlin College since 1833, Oberlin is an energetic and politically active place well known for its Progressive student population.

What is the calmest city? ›

Coming in first place is Bergen, Norway, ranked highly for its very low levels of traffic congestion (13%), low levels of light and noise pollution (25), and a high average life expectancy of 83 years.

Is North Carolina a red or blue state? ›

In the three presidential elections since 2008, Indiana and North Carolina went back to supporting Republicans. Virginia has continued voting for the Democratic presidential nominees (as well as increasingly electing Democrats at the state level), leading to its being reclassified as a blue state in recent years.

What are the red states 2023? ›

The states that are considered “Red” states (i.e. solidly Republican) are Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Is Wyoming red or blue? ›

As a state with a strong Republican tradition, Wyoming tends to favor the Republican Party in presidential elections. It has consistently voted for Republican candidates in recent decades and is considered a reliably red state.

Is North Carolina a mostly Republican state? ›

North Carolina has voted for the Republican candidate in all but one presidential election since 1980; the one exception was in 2008, when a plurality of North Carolinians voted for Barack Obama.

Is Georgia a conservative state? ›

However, the state of Georgia does currently continue to maintain a Republican lean, with Republicans controlling every statewide office sans its Senate seats, having Republican majorities in the State House and Senate, as well as a complete Republican pick on the Georgia Supreme Court, and a PVI rating of R+3.

Is the weather better in North or South Carolina? ›

Of the two states, NC is actually bigger than SC, but SC is closer to the equator, giving it a warmer climate. With its warmer weather, South Carolina has a better year-round beach scene. White sand beaches are plentiful in both states, but SC has more communities near the coast.

Is Pennsylvania a conservative state? ›

On the state level, Pennsylvania has been a traditionally liberal Republican state, with a dominant state Republican Party that is much more oriented towards social spending than more conservative state Republican Parties in other regions of the United States.

Is Arkansas a conservative state? ›

Republicans had won all statewide offices and all congressional seats in 2014, and won both Senate seats for the first time since Reconstruction. Republicans have consistently captured over 60% of the vote in statewide elections since 2012.

Is West Virginia more Republican? ›

Before 2000, West Virginia had voted almost exclusively Democratic since 1932, only voting Republican amidst national landslides in 1956, 1972, and 1984. However, starting with the 2000 election, West Virginia began a sharp realignment from mostly supporting Democrats to mostly supporting Republicans.

Is Montana a Republican state? ›

Donald Trump ran unopposed in the Republican primary, and thus received all of the state's 27 delegates to the 2020 Republican National Convention.

Is Missouri a liberal state? ›

Missouri is no longer thought of as a perennial swing state. Since 1964, the only three Democrats it has backed have been Southerners: Lyndon B. Johnson, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton.

Is North Dakota a conservative state? ›

The political leanings of the state since its creation have been largely conservative.

Is Louisiana a conservative state? ›

Every statewide office, with the exception of governor, is held by a Republican, and both chambers of the state legislature are majority Republican.

Is California a conservative state? ›

Beginning with the 1992 presidential election, California has become increasingly Democratic. The state has voted Democratic in every presidential election since then, usually by lopsided margins, and starting in 2008, Democrats have consistently gotten at least 60% of the vote.

Is New Hampshire a red state? ›

Voters predominantly selected Republicans for national office during the 19th and 20th centuries until 1992. Since then, the state has been considered a swing state. Since 2006, control of the state legislature and New Hampshire's congressional seats have switched back and forth between Republicans and Democrats.

Is Mississippi a conservative state? ›

Most of these states are red states, meaning they tend to vote Republican in presidential elections. Mississippi has the highest rate of conservative identification, with 50% of its population self-identifying as conservative and only 12% identifying as liberal.

What's the least conservative state? ›

A new report from the Center for Legislative Accountability (CLA) has ranked all 50 states from most to least conservative, with Alabama leading as the most conservative state in the U.S. and Massachusetts as the least conservative.

Is Texas a red or blue state? ›

A gradual trend towards increasing social liberalism in the Democratic Party, however, has turned the state (apart from Hispanic South Texas, the Trans-Pecos, and several large cities) into generally a Republican stronghold. Since 1980, Texas has voted for the Republican nominee in every presidential election.

Which branch is the strongest in a Republican gov? ›

In a republican form of government, Madison asserts, the legislative branch is the strongest, and therefore must be divided into different branches, be as little connected with each other as possible, and render them by different modes of election.

What is the most left wing Congress? ›

The CPC represents the most left-leaning faction of the Democratic Party. It was founded in 1991 and has grown since then, becoming the largest Democratic caucus in the House of Representatives.

Which are swing states? ›

In American politics, the term swing state (also known as battleground state or purple state) refers to any state that could reasonably be won by either the Democratic or Republican candidate in a statewide election, most often referring to presidential elections, by a swing in votes.

Which part of California is most likely to be Republican? ›

The county with the highest percentage of registered Republicans was Modoc County, with registered Republicans comprising half of the registered voters.

What part of California is more Republican? ›

The central/south coast started out as the most Republican region but has slowly trended in a Democratic direction. For a while this brought its voting in line with the interior region, which started out more Democratic but has also changed less over time, leaving it slightly Republican overall.

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