Changing Demographics of Registered Voters in the U.S. Over the Past Three Decades
The demographic composition of registered voters in the United States has undergone significant changes over the past three decades, reflecting broader shifts in the population. A recent analysis shows that registered voters have become more educated, more racially and ethnically diverse, older, and more religiously diverse since 1996.
One of the key findings is the increasing racial and ethnic diversity among registered voters. Currently, 67% of registered voters are White, 13% are Hispanic, 11% are Black, and 4% are Asian. This marks a significant change from 1996 when 85% of voters were White. Both parties have become more diverse, but the Democratic Party has seen a more pronounced shift in its composition.
In terms of age, the electorate has grown older, with about six-in-ten voters now aged 50 and older. This trend is more evident in the Republican Party, where two-thirds of voters are 50 and older, compared to slightly more than half in the Democratic Party.
Education levels among registered voters have also changed, with the share of voters with a bachelor’s degree or more increasing significantly since 1996. The Democratic Party has seen a more substantial increase in the share of college-educated voters compared to the Republican Party.
Religiously, the electorate has become less Christian and less religious overall. Two-thirds of voters identify with a Christian denomination, while about a quarter are religiously unaffiliated. The Republican coalition remains overwhelmingly Christian, while the Democratic coalition has seen a significant increase in the share of religiously unaffiliated voters.
Ideologically, there are more voters who identify as conservative than liberal, with about a quarter saying they are liberal and 37% saying they are conservative. The Republican coalition is predominantly conservative, while the Democratic coalition is more ideologically mixed.
Overall, these demographic shifts in the registered voter population highlight the evolving landscape of American politics and the changing composition of both political parties.
