Principal Cities: Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Stamford.
Population: 737,616
Sex: The sex breakdown in this district was 48.58% Male, 51.42% Female. Though it’s not listed as required on the district profile, I thought this was an important demographic to cover given the difference in population (2.84% more women), as there are significant differences in voting habits among the opposite sexes. According to Pew Research, women are considerably more likely than men to be voting Democrat than Republican, giving Jim Himes the edge in this district in reference to this demographic trend.
Racial: The racial breakdown in Connecticut’s 4th district is as follows, 74.23% White, 12% Black, 5.03% Asian, 0.17% Native American, 0.012% Pacific Islander, 17.46% Hispanic. The amount of white people in the district is important to note, since white people are 10% more Republican than Democrat according to the national average. Since white individuals are the dominant race in Connecticut’s 4th district, the district has a possibility of trending more moderate, particularly on some financial issues which can be seen through some of Representative Himes voting patterns and through other demographic sections which will be covered later.
Religious: I unfortunately could not find any statistics on religion in Connecticut’s 4th district on the Census Bureau's website or through google search. :(
Median Household Income: The average household income in Connecticut’s 4th district was $94,547 as of 2017 as compared to the US average household income of $61,372, making it considerably more wealthy than the average American household. This is one of the portions of the district that would lend it to possible Republican sympathies. Pew voter breakdowns show that Americans with a household income of over $75,000 were 4% more Republican than Democrat. This sympathy shows through as this district was the last Republican stronghold to fall in Connecticut, Himes having to beat 10 term Republican incumbent Christopher Shays in 2008. Himes has contended with this higher income demographic by being more moderate in reference to financial issues, pandering to some of the districts largest employers by doing so.
Median Age: The median age of individuals within Connecticut’s 4th district was 40 years old, marking them solidly as largely being made up of Gen X. According to Pew Research, Gen X identifies as 5% more Democrat, putting this district as a solid Democrat advantage in this regard.
Urban vs. Rural: The Urban/Rural breakdown in the 4th was 95.9% urban 4.1% rural. This gives Democrats ostensibly a huge leg up. Pew Research trends show that people living in urban areas are two times more likely to vote Democrat than Republican. This particularly shined true in Jim Himes first election when he won overall by sweeping the three largest cities within the district, Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford, winning as much as 80 percent of the vote in Bridgeport itself in 2008.
Major Industries: Finance and insurance, which has largest percentage of employed people in the district at 43,426 individuals. Not only are these industries the largest employers within his district but they also are Jim Himes’ most significant donors, the Representative attracting around $442k in donations from securities, investment, and insurance industries.
Democratic:
Active: 141,355
Inactive: 9,427
Total: 150,782
Percentage: 36.17%
Republican:
Republican:
Active: 98,663
Inactive: 5,106
Total: 103,769
Percentage: 24.89%
Minor Parties:
Minor Parties:
Active: 3,737
Inactive: 312
Total: 4,049
Percentage: 0.97%
Unaffiliated:
Unaffiliated:
Active: 146,218
Inactive: 12,043
Total:158,261
Percentage: 37.97%
And lastly, the outright breakdown in party affiliation shows a clear Democrat advantage, with the Dems bringing in 42,692 more affiliates than Republicans. This also comes through in the 2016 Presidential election in which Clinton won 60% to Trump’s 37% of the vote.
It’s been a pleasure ladies and gentlemen to give everyone a new point of view as we continue to dig into the nitty and gritty of Connecticut’s 4th District and Representative Himes.
As always, good night, and good luck!
-Aaron
No comments:
Post a Comment