Highlands County, Florida: Deep Red Country

Florida · Presidential Elections 1924–2024

R+40.7

2024 Margin

R+6.3%

2020→2024 Swing

R since 1952

Voting Streak

101K

Population

Highlands County, Florida voted R+40.7 for Donald Trump in 2024, with Trump receiving 36,382 votes (69.92%). This represented a R+6.3% swing toward Republicans compared to 2020. The county has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1952.

Quick Stats

2024 ResultR+40.7

2020→2024 SwingR+6.3%

Voting StreakR since 1952

Elections on Record26

Demographics

Population101,235

Median Age

54.1(US: 38.4)

College (BA+)

19.7%(US: 34.6%)

Median Income

$53,679(US: $78k)

White (non-Hisp)

64.2%(US: 57.5%)

Hispanic

21.5%(US: 18.6%)

Black

9.8%(US: 12.3%)

Asian

1.4%(US: 5.7%)

Homeownership

78.9%(US: 64.2%)

Poverty Rate

15.4%(US: 12.4%)

Veterans

11.0%(US: 6.4%)

Non-English (CVAP)

16.2%(US: 17.1%)

Community Profile

Religious Composition

Source: Religion Census 2020

Evangelical

26.3%(+9.8 vs US)

Catholic

16.1%(-2.6 vs US)

Mainline Protestant

5.0%

Black Protestant

1.5%(-0.7 vs US)

LDS/Mormon

1.3%(-0.7 vs US)

Age Distribution

Median:54.1 yrs(US: 38.5)

Under 18

16.8%↓

18-29

5.6%↓

30-44

13.9%↓

45-64

27.7%↑

65+

35.9%↑

National average

Employment by Industry

Source: Census ACS

Retail Trade

12.6%

ConstructionVery high

10.6%

Professional Services

10.5%

Education

8.0%

HealthcareVery low

5.8%

ManufacturingVery low

4.3%

Political relevance:

Construction: Infrastructure focusHealthcare: ACA debatesManufacturing: Trade policy sensitive

+ 1 more industries

Presidential Elections

Presidential Results

Year	Democrat	Republican	Margin	Swing
2024	29.3%(15,227)	69.9%(36,382)	R+40.7	R+6.3
2020	32.5%(16,938)	66.8%(34,873)	R+34.4	R+2.4
2016	32.7%(14,937)	64.7%(29,565)	R+32.0	R+9.0
2012	38.0%(16,148)	61.1%(25,915)	R+23.0	R+5.0
2008	40.5%(18,135)	58.5%(26,221)	R+18.1	D+7.3
2004	37.0%(15,347)	62.4%(25,878)	R+25.4	R+8.2
2000	40.3%(14,169)	57.5%(20,207)	R+17.2	R+13.1
1996	42.3%(14,250)	46.3%(15,617)	R+4.0	D+6.0
1992	34.7%(11,237)	44.8%(14,499)	R+10.1	D+24.5
1988	32.4%(8,091)	67.0%(16,723)	R+34.6	D+4.5

Source: Official state election returns via MIT Election Data + Science Lab

Senate Elections

Senate Results

Year	Democrat	Republican	Margin	Swing
2024	31.0%(15,688)	69.0%(34,858)	R+37.9	D+8.7
2022	26.7%(10,480)	73.3%(28,777)	R+46.6	R+14.1
2018	33.8%(13,398)	66.2%(26,282)	R+32.5	R+0.5
2016	34.0%(14,498)	66.0%(28,123)	R+32.0	R+28.8
2012	48.4%(19,110)	51.6%(20,354)	R+3.1	D+55.0
2010	20.9%(4,360)	79.1%(16,489)	R+58.2	R+70.5
2006	56.1%(16,710)	43.9%(13,053)	D+12.3	D+25.3
2004	43.5%(17,196)	56.5%(22,326)	R+13.0	R+1.7
2000	44.4%(15,102)	55.6%(18,934)	R+11.3	R+21.1
1998	54.9%(14,083)	45.1%(11,551)	D+9.9	D+60.8

Source: Official state election returns via MIT Election Data + Science Lab

Governor Elections

Governor Results

Year	Democrat	Republican	Margin	Swing
2022	25.3%(9,994)	74.7%(29,518)	R+49.4	R+14.8
2018	32.7%(12,783)	67.3%(26,285)	R+34.6	R+8.5
2014	37.0%(11,070)	63.0%(18,888)	R+26.1	R+4.8
2010	39.4%(11,143)	60.6%(17,171)	R+21.3	D+0.8
2006	39.0%(11,128)	61.0%(17,426)	R+22.1	D+10.6
2002	33.7%(10,030)	66.3%(19,737)	R+32.6	R+11.1
1998	39.2%(10,186)	60.8%(15,781)	R+21.6	R+13.0
1994	45.7%(12,323)	54.3%(14,617)	R+8.5	R+13.0
1990	52.2%(12,270)	47.8%(11,227)	D+4.4	D+23.2
1986	40.6%(8,506)	59.4%(12,431)	R+18.8	R+36.0

Source: Official state election returns via MIT Election Data + Science Lab

Primary Election History

Primary Results

Year	Party	Winner	Runner-up	Nominee?
2024	GOP	Donald Trump(88.0%)	Nikki Haley(8.1%)	✓
2020	Dem	Joe Biden(62.9%)	Bernie Sanders(16.4%)	✓
2016	Dem	Hillary Clinton(61.4%)	Bernie Sanders(34.0%)	✓
2016	GOP	Donald Trump(50.0%)	Marco Rubio(21.0%)	✓
2008	Dem	Hillary Clinton(53.9%)	Barack Obama(22.3%)	✗