Defying National Trends, Some Republican Counties Prioritize Climate Change

24/7 Wall St. Insights

Nationwide, 56.5% of Americans say a candidate’s views on global warming are important to their vote.
In Alameda County in northern California, 73.5% of residents believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote, the most of any county nationwide.
In Calhoun County in West Virginia, just 37.5% of residents believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote, the least of any county.
While climate change concern is largely a Democrat cause, there are some Republican counties that rank among the top 50 most concerned counties.
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Twice a year, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication conducts the most comprehensive survey on climate change knowledge and opinion in the United States. Out of 30 questions, one of the most contentious is about how important a candidate’s views on global warming are to participants’ voting decisions.

In their survey, Yale asked participants, “How important are a candidate’s views on global warming to your vote?” with answer choices ranging from “not at all important” to “very important”. While nationwide 56.5% of Americans say a candidate’s views on global warming are important to their vote, large regional disparities persist throughout the country.

In Alameda County in northern California, 73.5% of residents believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote, the most of any county nationwide. Meanwhile, in Calhoun County in central West Virginia, just 37.5% of residents believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote, the least of any county. On average, 60.2% of residents in the Northeast believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote, compared to 59.7% of residents in the West, 55.1% in the South, and 52.0% in the Midwest.

While climate change concern is largely correlated with party affiliation, there are several counties that cross the red-blue divide. Of the 50 counties where the most Americans believe their candidate’s views on climate change are important, 45 voted Democrat in 2020. In Montour County in Pennsylvania, however, while 69.5% of residents believe a candidate’s views on global warming are important to their vote, 59.8% of residents voted Republican in 2020. In Lamb County in Texas, while 66.2% of residents report that a candidate’s views on global warming are important, 79.8% of residents voted Republican in 2020.

To determine the counties that believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote 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 a candidate’s views on global warming are “somewhat” or “very important” to their vote 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. Pima County, AZ

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 64.2%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 78.5%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 35.0%
Median household income: $64,323
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Tucson

49. Columbia County, NY

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 64.3%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 76.1%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 36.4%
Median household income: $81,741
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
County seat: Hudson

48. Charlottesville City, VA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 64.5%
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

47. Petersburg City, VA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 64.6%
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

46. Arlington County, VA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 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

45. Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, AK

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 64.6%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.7%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 27.5%
Median household income: $62,344
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: N/A

44. Westchester County, NY

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 64.7%
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

43. Denton County, TX

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 64.9%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 72.7%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 47.9%
Median household income: $104,180
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
County seat: Denton

42. Hampshire County, MA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 65.0%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.1%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 50.4%
Median household income: $84,025
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
County seat: Northampton

41. Dukes County, MA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 65.0%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.3%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 43.2%
Median household income: $93,225
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: Edgartown

40. Benton County, OR

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 65.0%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.0%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 53.8%
Median household income: $72,882
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Corvallis

39. Cumberland County, ME

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 65.1%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 76.9%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 50.6%
Median household income: $87,710
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Portland

38. Cook County, IL

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 65.1%
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

37. Sitka City And Borough, AK

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 65.2%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 80.4%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 34.2%
Median household income: $95,261
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: Sitka

36. Denver County, CO

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 65.2%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 83.2%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 54.2%
Median household income: $85,853
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Denver

35. Union County, NJ

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 65.3%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 78.8%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 38.3%
Median household income: $95,000
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Elizabeth

34. Travis County, TX

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 65.5%
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

33. Mecklenburg County, NC

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 65.6%
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

32. Skagway Municipality, AK

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 65.6%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.3%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 27.8%
Median household income: $79,583
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: Skagway

31. Hood River County, OR

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 65.7%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 80.6%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 38.3%
Median household income: $80,254
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
County seat: Hood River

30. Chester County, PA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 65.7%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 79.0%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 56.1%
Median household income: $118,574
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: West Chester

29. Mercer County, NJ

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 66.0%
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

28. Lamb County, TX

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 66.2%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 57.9%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.9%
Median household income: $54,519
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
County seat: Littlefield

27. Dekalb County, GA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 66.2%
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

26. Hillsborough County, FL

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 66.5%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 75.9%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 36.2%
Median household income: $70,612
FEMA disaster risk level: Very High
County seat: Tampa

25. Albany County, NY

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 66.7%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 78.6%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 44.4%
Median household income: $78,829
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Low
County seat: Albany

24. Chittenden County, VT

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 66.7%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 77.0%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 55.7%
Median household income: $89,494
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: Burlington

23. Alexandria City, VA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 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

22. Richmond City, VA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 67.4%
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

21. Duval County, TX

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 67.9%
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

20. Essex County, MA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 68.0%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 75.3%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 41.7%
Median household income: $94,378
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively Moderate
County seat: Lawrence

19. Nassau County, NY

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 68.2%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 77.4%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 48.2%
Median household income: $137,709
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
County seat: Mineola

18. King County, WA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 69.1%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 83.9%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 54.8%
Median household income: $116,340
FEMA disaster risk level: Very High
County seat: Seattle

17. Orleans Parish, LA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 69.3%
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

16. San Francisco County, CA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 69.3%
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

15. Montour County, PA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 69.5%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 63.3%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 36.4%
Median household income: $72,626
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: Danville

14. Queens County, NY

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 69.6%
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

13. Tompkins County, NY

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 69.7%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 81.6%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 57.5%
Median household income: $69,995
FEMA disaster risk level: Very Low
County seat: Ithaca

12. Multnomah County, OR

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 69.9%
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

11. Essex County, NJ

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 70.4%
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

10. San Mateo County, CA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 70.7%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 84.8%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 52.9%
Median household income: $149,907
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
County seat: Redwood City

9. District of Columbia, DC

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 71.0%
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

8. Montgomery County, MD

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 71.0%
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

7. Dallas County, TX

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 71.5%
Residents who believe that global warming is happening: 76.6%
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 33.9%
Median household income: $70,732
FEMA disaster risk level: Relatively High
County seat: Dallas

6. Suffolk County, MA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 71.7%
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

5. Bronx County, NY

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 71.8%
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. New York County, NY

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 72.3%
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

3. Philadelphia County, PA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 72.4%
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

2. Hudson County, NJ

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 72.8%
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

1. Alameda County, CA

Residents who believe a candidate’s views on climate change are important to their vote: 73.5%
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

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