Finding the "center" of the U.S. (vs, residential)
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By center, I mean not red or blue. Not republican or democrat. Not far right or far left. An area without bleeding heart liberals or bible thumping conservatives. A place without people who vote for their party regardless of the idiot on the ballot. I guess I'm talking about swing states like Iowa but are there cities and metro areas out there that are close to the center politically? Also, which cities do you think are too far to the left or right?
I think Iowa is the center of the country, the politicians go hard for support there.
I know this is unrelated but Portland, OR is geographically the closest city to the center of the country when you factor in Alaska & Hawaii, it sounds so weird.
I think Iowa is the center of the country, the politicians go hard for support there.
I know this is unrelated but Portland, OR is geographically the closest city to the center of the country when you factor in Alaska & Hawaii, it sounds so weird.
Interesting factoid! I think the center of the 48 is somewhere in KS. not sure
I believe incl. Alaska, it is North Dakota. I think I saw that on "Millionaire" so it must be true!
The politcal center would have to be a state that has close Presidential elections, and swings back and forth between Red/Blue. Missouri, Indiana, or Ohio, perhaps?
The center of US population is in Phelps County, Missouri. Politically though Phelps looks to be fairly Republican.
Hamilton County, Iowa is in a place with a Cook Partisan Voting Index of zero and in the last 5 elections neither Presidential candidate won by more than 5%. It's a bit more Democratic than Republican by the looks of it. Webster City (a bit over 8,000) is about as big as they get.Rockingham County, New Hampshire is somewhat similar. Derry (34,000) is their biggest town.
The main "swing states" I believe are Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Mexico, and Ohio. In many cases these are states divided by a highly conservative and a highly liberal area, so more like "bipolar" or "ambivalent" than moderate. I think parts of central Iowa do seem to actually be moderate or somewhat moderate. In the last 45 years Columbus, Ohio seems to have had three Republican and two Democratic mayors. Current one is Democratic. They're in a place with a Cook Partisan Voting Index of D+1. (Slightly Democratic) Dayton is in a county that doesn't seem to strongly go one way or other.
Last edited by Thomas R.; 08-26-2009 at 10:45 PM..
I guess you could say Virginia is in the "center" now after voting repub for 40 years. Florida imho is way too divided (North vs South) to be to the center.
You can never be "too far" to the left (just kidding ), but San Francisco and Washington D.C. could be decribed that way. Most cities tend to lean left, just in different degrees so I'm not sure you could find a city that was "too far" to the right either.
By center, I mean not red or blue. Not republican or democrat. Not far right or far left. An area without bleeding heart liberals or bible thumping conservatives. A place without people who vote for their party regardless of the idiot on the ballot. I guess I'm talking about swing states like Iowa but are there cities and metro areas out there that are close to the center politically? Also, which cities do you think are too far to the left or right?
So... you're basically looking for people who don't give a crap?
I've never been impressed with the idea of being a "moderate." Pick a side and go for it! One side is right and one is wrong, and you've got a 50/50 shot. Make a decision.
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), but San Francisco and Washington D.C. could be decribed that way. Most cities tend to lean left, just in different degrees so I'm not sure you could find a city that was "too far" to the right either.
