Helene and Milton Just Did $200 Billion in Damage. These Places Want More Climate Action From Local Politicians

24/7 Wall St. Insights

• Nationwide, 56.6% of Americans think their local officials should be doing more to address global warming.
• D.C. residents want the most local action on global warming, with 70.5% of residents supporting local officials doing more to address climate change.
• While climate change opinions tend to correlate with income, poorer counties in Alabama and Mississippi are also among the top 50 counties.
• Of the top 50 counties wanting the most local action on climate change, 34 are in the South.
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Part of what made Hurricanes Helene and Milton so destructive was recent migration to high-risk areas. Americans are overwhelmingly moving to climate-vulnerable areas throughout the Sun Belt, adding to the amount of property — and ultimately lives — that are at risk in a disaster. But as more of the country becomes vulnerable to big, billion-dollar disasters like Helene and Milton, more residents are supporting local political efforts to address climate change.

In their semi-annual survey, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication asked participants if they think “their local officials should be doing more, less, or are currently doing the right amount to address global warming”. While nationwide 56.5% of Americans think their local officials should be doing more to address global warming, large regional disparities persist throughout the country.

In the District of Columbia, 70.5% of residents believe local officials should do more to address climate change, the most of any county nationwide. Meanwhile, in Emery County in central Utah, just 38.9% of residents believe local officials should do more to address climate change, the least of any county. Of the top 50 counties supporting local climate action the most, 34 are in the South, 10 are in the Northeast, four are in West, and two are in the Midwest.

To determine the counties that believe local officials should do more to address climate change the most, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on climate change belief from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. Counties were ranked based on the percentage of surveyed residents who answered that “their local officials should be doing more” to address global warming in 2023. Supplemental data on median household income and the percentage of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and is for 2022. Data on natural hazard risk rating is from FEMA.

50. Multnomah County, OR

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 63.4%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 83.0%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 47.7%
• Median household income: $83,668
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
• County seat: Portland

49. Coahoma County, MS

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 63.4%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 72.7%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.0%
• Median household income: $36,075
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
• County seat: Clarksdale

48. Hinds County, MS

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 63.5%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 69.4%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 31.3%
• Median household income: $48,596
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Jackson

47. Cook County, IL

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 63.6%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.9%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 41.3%
• Median household income: $78,304
• FEMA disaster risk level: Very High
• County seat: Chicago

46. Fairfax City, VA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 63.6%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.6%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 60.1%
• Median household income: $128,708
• FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
• County seat: Fairfax

45. Travis County, TX

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 63.6%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 83.4%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 53.8%
• Median household income: $92,731
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
• County seat: Austin

44. Charlottesville City, VA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 63.7%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.2%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 58.9%
• Median household income: $67,177
• FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
• County seat: Charlottesville

43. Richmond County, GA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 63.7%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 71.0%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 23.6%
• Median household income: $50,605
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Augusta

42. Mercer County, NJ

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 63.8%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 80.0%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 44.2%
• Median household income: $92,697
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Trenton

41. Gadsden County, FL

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 64.0%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 75.0%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.7%
• Median household income: $45,721
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
• County seat: Quincy

40. Rockdale County, GA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 64.0%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 76.0%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 28.1%
• Median household income: $68,999
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
• County seat: Conyers

39. Westchester County, NY

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 64.0%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 78.9%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 51.8%
• Median household income: $114,651
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: White Plains

38. Portsmouth City, VA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 64.1%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 74.7%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.2%
• Median household income: $57,154
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Portsmouth

37. Hampton City, VA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 64.1%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 77.8%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 27.7%
• Median household income: $64,430
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Hampton

36. Richland County, SC

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 64.3%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 78.4%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 40.2%
• Median household income: $59,850
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Columbia

35. Kings County, NY

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 64.4%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 73.7%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 40.4%
• Median household income: $74,692
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
• County seat: Brooklyn

34. Claiborne County, MS

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 64.5%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 73.6%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 22.3%
• Median household income: $34,282
• FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
• County seat: Port Gibson

33. Arlington County, VA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 64.6%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 83.9%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 76.8%
• Median household income: $137,387
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
• County seat: Arlington

32. Miami-Dade County, FL

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 64.6%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 77.0%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 32.5%
• Median household income: $64,215
• FEMA disaster risk level: Very High
• County seat: Miami

31. Holmes County, MS

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 64.7%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 72.6%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.7%
• Median household income: $28,818
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
• County seat: Lexington

30. Broward County, FL

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 64.8%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 77.0%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 34.9%
• Median household income: $70,331
• FEMA disaster risk level: Very High
• County seat: Fort Lauderdale

29. St. Louis City, MO

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 64.8%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.9%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 38.6%
• Median household income: $52,941
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: St. Louis

28. Greene County, AL

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 64.9%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 73.2%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.7%
• Median household income: $32,796
• FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
• County seat: Eutaw

27. Hertford County, NC

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 65.1%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 76.5%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.0%
• Median household income: $46,196
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
• County seat: Winton

26. Mecklenburg County, NC

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 65.3%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 78.5%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 47.8%
• Median household income: $79,265
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Charlotte

25. Mora County, NM

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 65.4%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.2%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.6%
• Median household income: $40,231
• FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
• County seat: Mora

24. San Francisco County, CA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 65.4%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 87.1%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 59.8%
• Median household income: $136,689
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
• County seat: San Francisco City and County

23. Macon County, AL

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 65.5%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 74.1%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.6%
• Median household income: $41,206
• FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
• County seat: Tuskegee

22. Humphreys County, MS

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 65.6%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 74.5%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.6%
• Median household income: $31,907
• FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
• County seat: Belzoni

21. Durham County, NC

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 65.7%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.4%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 51.9%
• Median household income: $74,927
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Durham

20. Queens County, NY

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 65.8%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 82.4%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 34.8%
• Median household income: $82,431
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
• County seat: Queens

19. Essex County, NJ

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 65.9%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.2%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 37.4%
• Median household income: $73,785
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Newark

18. Alameda County, CA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 66.1%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 86.1%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 50.9%
• Median household income: $122,488
• FEMA disaster risk level: Very High
• County seat: Oakland

17. Duval County, TX

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 66.1%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 78.1%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 7.8%
• Median household income: $50,697
• FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
• County seat: San Diego

16. Suffolk County, MA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 66.2%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 82.3%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 49.2%
• Median household income: $87,669
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Boston

15. Hudson County, NJ

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 66.2%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.2%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 46.6%
• Median household income: $86,854
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Jersey City

14. Fulton County, GA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 66.4%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 80.5%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 57.1%
• Median household income: $86,267
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Atlanta

13. Richmond City, VA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 66.8%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 83.1%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 44.1%
• Median household income: $59,606
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
• County seat: Richmond

12. Alexandria City, VA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 66.8%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 85.6%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 66.0%
• Median household income: $113,179
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
• County seat: Alexandria

11. New York County, NY

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 67.3%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 84.8%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 62.8%
• Median household income: $99,880
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
• County seat: Manhattan

10. Montgomery County, MD

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 67.5%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 84.2%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 60.0%
• Median household income: $125,583
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Rockville

9. Orleans Parish, LA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 67.8%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 82.8%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 40.7%
• Median household income: $51,116
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
• County seat: New Orleans

8. Philadelphia County, PA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 68.1%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 80.3%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 33.6%
• Median household income: $57,537
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
• County seat: Philadelphia

7. Clayton County, GA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 68.2%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 76.0%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.6%
• Median household income: $56,207
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Jonesboro

6. Prince George’s County, MD

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 68.2%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 80.0%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 35.6%
• Median household income: $97,935
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Upper Marlboro

5. Bronx County, NY

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 68.7%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.5%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.2%
• Median household income: $47,036
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
• County seat: Bronx

4. Baltimore City, MD

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 69.6%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.7%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 34.9%
• Median household income: $58,349
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Baltimore

3. Petersburg City, VA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 70.0%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 80.3%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.8%
• Median household income: $46,930
• FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
• County seat: Petersburg

2. Dekalb County, GA

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 70.2%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 84.7%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 46.7%
• Median household income: $76,044
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Decatur

1. District of Columbia, DC

• Residents who believe local officials should do more to address climate change: 70.5%
• Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 86.7%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 62.6%
• Median household income: $101,722
• FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
• County seat: Washington

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