Most large cities in the United States and many other developed countries tend to be liberal or left-leaning politically. This urban-rural political divide is a well-established pattern that has been observed for decades.
Several factors contribute to the liberal leanings of large cities:
- Exposure to diversity: Living in close proximity to people from different backgrounds can increase empathy and support for inclusive policies.
- Education: Urban areas typically have higher concentrations of college-educated residents, who are more likely to hold liberal views.
- Economic structure: Cities often have knowledge-based economies that attract younger, more educated workers who tend to be more liberal.
- Resources: Urban living requires more cooperation and shared public services, which aligns with liberal policy preferences.
While large U.S. cities tend to lean Democratic, there are some notable exceptions that have significant Republican populations or leadership.
Here are some of the largest U.S. cities that can be considered relatively conservative or Republican-leaning:
Jacksonville, Florida: With a population over 900,000, Jacksonville is one of the largest cities in the U.S. that has shown consistent Republican support in recent years1.
Fort Worth, Texas: As part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Fort Worth stands out as more conservative than its neighbor Dallas. It’s considered the largest city that voted for Trump in recent elections
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: With a population over 680,000, Oklahoma City is known for its conservative leanings. In the 2020 election, 56% of Oklahoma County (which includes Oklahoma City) voted Republican.
Mesa, Arizona: Often cited as one of the most conservative large cities in America, Mesa has a population over 500,000.
Tulsa, Oklahoma: Another large Oklahoma city with strong Republican support. Tulsa County gave 62% of its votes to the Republican candidate in recent elections.
While not necessarily Republican-controlled, these large cities have significant conservative populations, especially in their suburban areas:
Dallas, Texas: While the city itself leans Democratic, the greater Dallas area has a strong conservative presence.
Atlanta, Georgia: Similar to Dallas, Atlanta’s suburbs tend to be more conservative than the city center.
Phoenix, Arizona: The greater Phoenix area shows a more balanced political landscape, with the city leaning slightly Democratic but surrounded by more conservative suburbs.
It’s important to note that political leanings in cities can change over time, and even in predominantly Democratic cities, there are often Republican enclaves, especially in less densely populated areas. Additionally, the definition of “large city” can vary, and smaller cities (population 100,000-250,000) are more likely to have Republican majorities than major metropolitan areas.