McDowell County, West Virginia: Northern Rural Secular

West Virginia · Presidential Elections 1892–2024

R+60.4

2024 Margin

R+1.9%

2020→2024 Swing

R since 2012

Voting Streak

19K

Population

McDowell County, West Virginia voted R+60.4 for Donald Trump in 2024, with Trump receiving 4,310 votes (79.45%). This represented a R+1.9% swing toward Republicans compared to 2020. The county has voted Republican in every presidential election since 2012.

Quick Stats

2024 ResultR+60.4

2020→2024 SwingR+1.9%

Voting StreakR since 2012

Elections on Record34

Demographics

Population19,111

Median Age

45.3(US: 38.4)

College (BA+)

5.7%(US: 34.6%)

Median Income

$28,235(US: $78k)

White (non-Hisp)

86.7%(US: 57.5%)

Hispanic

1.9%(US: 18.6%)

Black

11.3%(US: 12.3%)

Homeownership

75.7%(US: 64.2%)

Poverty Rate

30.9%(US: 12.4%)

Veterans

5.5%(US: 6.4%)

Non-English (CVAP)

1.5%(US: 17.1%)

Community Profile

Religious Composition

Source: Religion Census 2020

Black Protestant

7.4%(+5.2 vs US)

Evangelical

7.3%(-9.2 vs US)

Mainline Protestant

3.7%(-1.5 vs US)

Catholic

1.5%(-17.2 vs US)

LDS/Mormon

1.3%(-0.7 vs US)

Age Distribution

Median:45.3 yrs(US: 38.5)

Under 18

18.6%↓

18-29

6.2%↓

30-44

20.4%

45-64

33.2%↑

65+

21.6%↑

National average

Employment by Industry

Source: Census ACS

AgricultureVery high

13.0%

Professional Services

10.1%

Retail Trade

9.9%

ManufacturingBelow avg

5.7%

HealthcareVery low

4.8%

EducationVery low

4.0%

Political relevance:

Agriculture: Farm bill, rural RHealthcare: ACA debatesEducation: Union stronghold

+ 1 more industries

Presidential Elections

Presidential Results

Year	Democrat	Republican	Margin	Swing
2024	19.1%(1,036)	79.5%(4,310)	R+60.4	R+1.9
2020	20.4%(1,333)	78.9%(5,148)	R+58.5	R+7.4
2016	23.0%(1,438)	74.1%(4,629)	R+51.1	R+21.2
2012	34.1%(2,109)	64.0%(3,959)	R+29.9	R+38.4
2008	53.3%(3,430)	44.8%(2,882)	D+8.5	R+15.3
2004	61.7%(4,501)	37.8%(2,762)	D+23.8	R+10.4
2000	66.3%(4,845)	32.1%(2,348)	D+34.2	R+19.9
1996	73.0%(5,989)	18.9%(1,550)	D+54.1	D+2.2
1992	71.8%(7,019)	19.8%(1,941)	D+51.9	D+3.1
1988	74.2%(7,204)	25.4%(2,463)	D+48.8	D+15.7

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

Senate Elections

Senate Results

Year	Democrat	Republican	Margin	Swing
2024	17.9%(898)	82.1%(4,121)	R+64.2	R+10.4
2020	23.1%(1,363)	76.9%(4,539)	R+53.8	R+54.4
2018	50.3%(2,222)	49.7%(2,198)	D+0.5	D+8.9
2014	45.8%(1,615)	54.2%(1,909)	R+8.3	R+56.1
2012	73.9%(4,385)	26.1%(1,550)	D+47.8	D+1.8
2010	73.0%(3,282)	27.0%(1,216)	D+45.9	R+19.1
2008	82.5%(5,260)	17.5%(1,113)	D+65.1	R+5.0
2006	85.0%(3,199)	15.0%(563)	D+70.1	R+0.5
2002	85.3%(3,130)	14.7%(540)	D+70.6	R+14.4
2000	92.5%(6,370)	7.5%(519)	D+84.9	D+6.4

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

Governor Elections

Governor Results

Year	Democrat	Republican	Margin	Swing
2024	25.4%(1,189)	74.6%(3,489)	R+49.2	D+8.1
2020	21.4%(1,321)	78.6%(4,861)	R+57.3	R+73.5
2016	58.1%(3,459)	41.9%(2,493)	D+16.2	R+19.0
2012	67.6%(4,007)	32.4%(1,919)	D+35.2	R+20.0
2011	77.6%(1,747)	22.4%(504)	D+55.2	R+15.0
2008	85.1%(5,323)	14.9%(933)	D+70.2	D+7.6
2004	81.3%(5,731)	18.7%(1,320)	D+62.6	D+60.5
2000	51.0%(3,723)	49.0%(3,570)	D+2.1	R+36.5
1996	69.3%(5,653)	30.7%(2,502)	D+38.6	R+23.5
1992	81.1%(7,227)	18.9%(1,685)	D+62.2	D+18.5

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

Primary Election History

Primary Results

Year	Party	Winner	Runner-up	Nominee?
2020	Dem	Joe Biden(57.9%)	Other(15.8%)	✓
2016	Dem	Bernie Sanders(55.2%)	Hillary Clinton(30.3%)	✗
2016	GOP	Donald Trump(91.6%)	Ted Cruz(5.3%)	✓
2012	Dem	Barack Obama(52.4%)	Other(47.6%)	—
2008	Dem	Hillary Clinton(72.4%)	Barack Obama(21.8%)	✗