Affluent San Antonio-area Towns Bucked National Voting Trends in 2020
When it comes to governmental elections, local precincts can reflect national tendencies. Not so for certain San Antonio neighborhoods that challenged the trend in 2020. The affluent suburbs, nestled in Bexar County, followed an unexpected voting pattern, raising the question – will the upcoming electoral cycle witness a similar trend?
A Peek into Prevailing Voting Trends
Typically, influential research institutions, such as the Pew Research Center, see a mirrored reflection of national voting patterns in the suburban counties surrounding large cities. Notable factors affecting voter choices include income level and age. In past analysis, wealthier demographics lean Democrat while middle-class demographics trend Republican.
The age factor also plays a crucial role; voters nearing their fifties favored former President Donald Trump, while voters in their early to mid-forties predominantly supported President Joe Biden. This age-based trend remarkably falls in line with the findings of the Pew Research Center.
Alamo Height – A Noteworthy Exception
One suburb that eschewed the national trend in 2020 is Alamo Heights. This well-off neighborhood became a hotbed for political debate and, in an unusual twist, tilted towards Biden supporters over Trump. As we inch closer to the current electoral cycle, the question arises – will Alamo Heights uphold its contrarian stand or align more closely with national trends?
Senior Citizens Outweigh Young Voters
Political science professor, David Crockett, points out a 10 – 15% disparity in voter turnout between senior citizens and younger generations born from the 1990s. Even though recent reports highlight millennials and Gen Z outpacing boomers as the largest eligible voting block in the United States, the jury is still out on whether a surge in youth turnout will influence the state or significantly impact the county.
High Flyer Suburbs Backing Trump in 2020
Fair Oaks Ranch, with an average income of $220,817, showed a stronghold of Trump support in 2020. Despite boasting three times the average income of both the state and its local county, this trend did not align with national patterns of wealthy demographics leaning Democrat.
Other affluent areas such as Hill Country Village, Shavano Park, and Hollywood Park also demonstrated a stronger inclination towards the Trump vote in 2020. These neighborhoods share both above-average incomes and an older median age group.
Upscale Suburbs Backing Biden in 2020
While several wealthy suburbs supported Trump, others such as Olmos Park and Castle Hills championed Biden in the last election. These communities, with average household incomes well above state and county averages, bucked the trend of affluent areas supporting Republican candidates.
Alamo Heights and Terrell Hills, despite boasting average household incomes significantly higher than both the state and its county, unexpectedly found a stronger support base for Biden than Trump in 2020. This interesting divergence from national trends is a key focal point for pundits observing the upcoming electoral cycle.
As we look ahead to the next round of elections, examining past patterns in these small but influential communities will provide insight into how national voting trends may be affected. Can we expect another curveball from these affluent San Antonio suburbs? Only time will tell.
