Democrats Continue to Outnumber Republicans

The political affiliations of the American public have not changed much in decades. According to the 2021 General Social Survey, 44 percent of people aged 18 or older identify themselves as Democrats, 30 percent as Republicans, and 23 percent as independents. Here's the GSS question: "Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or what?"

Among the 44 percent of Americans who identify as a Democrat, nearly 19 percent say they are a "strong" Democrat, 14 percent are "not very strong," and 12 percent think of themselves as independent but close to a Democrat. Millennials, Gen Xers, and Boomers are about equally likely to think of themselves as Democrats, with 41 percent of Gen Xers, 44 percent of Boomers, and 45 percent of Millennials doing so.

Among the 30 percent of Americans who identify as a Republican, 13 percent say they are a "strong" Republican, 9 percent are "not very strong," and 8 percent think of themselves as independent but close to a Republican. Millennials are much less likely than older generations to identify as Republican, with only 23 percent doing so. Among Gen Xers, 38 percent call themselves a Republican. The figure is 36 percent among Boomers.

Political party identification of Americans aged 18 or older, 2000 to 2021

	Democrat	Republican	independent
2021	44.2%	30.2%	23.0%
2016	47.5	32.8	17.1
2010	45.8	32.8	18.8
2000	43.2	34.8	20.4

Source: Demo Memo analysis of the 2021 General Social Survey

Disparities in Gun Ownership

Gun ownership is common in the United States. Overall, 40 percent of Americans say they or someone in their household owns a gun, according to a 2021 survey by Pew Research Center. 

Surprisingly, the differences in gun ownership by age or education are small. By age, the range is from 35 percent among 18-to-29-year-olds to 42 percent among those aged 50 or older—a 6 percentage point difference. By education, the range is from 33 percent among those with a graduate degree to 45 percent among those with some college—a 12 percentage point gap. 

The gap in gun ownership is much larger by race, type of residence, and political affiliation...

 

PERCENTAGE WITH GUN(S) IN HOUSEHOLD

Total adults: 40%

Race and Hispanic origin

47% of non-Hispanic whites

37% of Blacks

26% of Hispanics

20% of Asians

Difference between highest and lowest: 27 percentage points

Rural-urban status

53% of rural

40% of suburban

29% of urban

Difference between highest and lowest: 24 percentage points

Political party affiliation

54% of Republicans

31% of Democrats

Difference between highest and lowest: 23 percentage points

Source: Pew Research Center, Key Facts about Americans and Guns

59% Know Someone Who Had an Abortion

Most Americans personally know someone who has had an abortion, according to a Pew Research Center survey fielded in March—prior to the leaking of the Supreme Court's draft opinion in a case challenging Roe v. Wade. "Personally know" is defined as a close friend, family member, or themselves.

There are surprisingly few differences by demographic characteristic in the share of Americans who personally know someone who has had an abortion. At least 50 percent of every demographic segment—with the exception of the youngest adults—personally know someone who has had an abortion. 

Personally know someone who has had an abortion

Total 18-plus: 59%

Aged 18 to 29: 46%

Aged 30 to 49: 60%

Aged 50 to 64: 65%

Aged 65-plus: 60%

Blacks: 67%

Hispanics: 50%

Whites: 61%

Democrats: 62%

Republicans: 57%

Catholics: 55%

Protestants: 61%

White evangelicals: 58%

No religion: 61%

Women (66 percent) are much more likely than men (51 percent) to personally know someone who has had an abortion. This pattern holds true in every demographic segment. 

Source: Pew Research Center, America's Abortion Quandary

Pessimism about Climate Change

Democrats and Republicans are in disagreement about most issues. Take climate change, for example. Only 11 percent of Republicans think "dealing with climate change should be a top priority for the president and Congress to address this year," according to a Pew Research Center survey. Among Democrats, fully 65 percent think climate change should be a top priority. Similarly, just 17 percent of Republicans say "human activity, such as the burning of fossil fuels, contributes a great deal to global climate change" versus 71 percent of Democrats.

But there's one climate issue on which the majority of Democrats and Republicans agree. Both are pessimistic that the world's nations will be able to work together to mitigate the worst consequences of climate change. 

Here's the question: "How likely is it countries around the world, including the U.S., will collectively do enough to avoid the worst impacts of climate change?" The 51 percent majority of Democrats and the 56 percent majority of Republicans agree such collective action "will not happen."

Probably/definitely WILL NOT happen

Democrats: 51%

Republicans: 56%

Probably/definitely WILL happen

Democrats: 46%

Republicans: 24%

Climate change impacts are not a problem

Democrats: 2%

Republicans: 20%

Source: Pew Research Center, For Earth Day, Key Facts about Americans' Views of Climate Change and Renewable Energy

Democrats and Republicans Have Different Priorities

Could there be bigger differences of opinion about the most important issues facing the nation than the ones between Democrats and Republicans? The answer is no—not by age, not by race, and not by education, according to a Pew Research Center survey. 

When asked which issues "should be a top priority for the president and Congress to address this year," here are the five regarded as most important by Democrats... 

Top 5 priorities, according to Democrats (percent saying issue should be a top priority)

1. Dealing with the coronavirus outbreak (80%)

2. Reducing health care costs (69%)

3. Improving the educational system (66%)

4. Dealing with global climate change (65%)

5. Strengthening the nation's economy (63%)

Only one of the Democrats' top priorities appears on the Republican top-five list. Take a look...

Top 5 priorities, according to Republicans (percent saying issue should be a top priority)

1. Strengthening the nation's economy (82%)

2. Dealing with the issue of immigration (67%)

3. Defending the country from future terrorist attacks (65%)

4. Reducing the budget deficit (63%)

5. Reducing crime (60%)

Strengthening the nation's economy is the only priority that both Democrats and Republicans rank among the most important. 

It gets worse. Two of the Democrats' top priorities are among the five lowest-priority issues for Republicans. A paltry 11 percent of Republicans think global climate change should be a priority (versus 65 percent of Democrats). Just 35 percent of Republicans think dealing with the coronavirus outbreak should be a priority (versus 80 percent of Democrats). Also among the five lowest-priority issues for Republicans are dealing with drug addiction (27 percent), dealing with the problems of poor people (25 percent), and addressing issues around race in this country (14 percent).

Conversely, two of the Republicans' top priorities are among the five lowest-priority issues for Democrats. Only 35 percent of Democrats think immigration should be a priority (versus 67 percent of Republicans). Just 31 percent of Democrats say the budget deficit should be a priority (versus 63 percent of Republicans). Also among the five lowest-priority issues for Democrats are dealing with drug addiction (32 percent), dealing with global trade issues (30 percent), and strengthening the U.S. military (22 percent). 

Source: Pew Research Center, Public's Top Priority for 2022: Strengthening the Nation's Economy

60% of the Unvaccinated Are Republicans

The growing majority of unvaccinated adults in the United States identify themselves as Republican. As of October 2021, Republicans accounted for 60 percent of unvaccinated adults, according to the KFF Covid-19 Vaccine Monitor. Democrats accounted for 17 percent and independents the rest. Six months earlier in April 2021, Republicans accounted for a smaller 42 percent of the unvaccinated. 

"The partisan divide between vaccinated and unvaccinated adults became even more evident as larger shares of the population received Covid-19 vaccines," explains the KFF report. 

Compared to their vaccinated counterparts, unvaccinated Republicans are more likely to be under age 50, less educated, and live in a county that voted for Trump. They are more likely to think the seriousness of the coronavirus is exaggerated (88 percent feel that way) compared with Republicans who are vaccinated (54 percent). Only 8 percent of Democrats think the seriousness of coronavirus is exaggerated.

Fully 96 percent of unvaccinated Republicans believe getting vaccinated is a "personal choice" rather than "everyone's responsibility to protect the health of others." Among vaccinated Republicans, 73 percent believe it is a personal choice. Only19 percent of vaccinated Democrats agree. 

Just 12 percent of unvaccinated Republicans are "somewhat/very worried" that they will get sick from Covid-19. Among vaccinated Republicans, 25 percent are worried. Among vaccinated Democrats, the figure is 46 percent. The 62 percent majority of unvaccinated Republicans are "not at all worried" about getting sick from Covid. 

Source: KFF Covid-19 Vaccine Monitor: The Increasing Importance of Partisanship in Predicting Covid-19 Vaccination Status

61% of Faith and Flag Conservatives Have Guns

Every few years, Pew Research Center probes the political beliefs of Americans, sorting the public into what it calls political typologies. The latest such survey, conducted in July 2021, finds the public distributed as follows...

Distribution of American adults by political typology, 2021 (from most liberal to most conservative)

  6% are Progressive Left

13% are Establishment Liberals

16% are Democratic Mainstays

10% are Outsider Left

15% are Stressed Sideliners

12% are Ambivalent Right

11% are Populist Right

  7% are Committed Conservatives

10% are Faith and Flag Conservatives

Take the political typology quiz and find out where you stand by clicking here.

Not surprisingly, the great majority of those in the four most conservative groups identify as Republicans, including 97 percent of Faith and Flag Conservatives. Among the four most liberal groups, the great majority identify as Democrats, including 98 percent of the Progressive Left. The group in the middle—Stressed Sideliners—is equally likely to identify as Democrat or Republican (45 percent each). This group is the most politically disconnected and votes at relatively low rates, Pew notes.  

Faith and Flag Conservatives and The Populist Right are the two groups most likely to live in a small town/rural area, at 39 and 38 percent respectively. These are also the groups most likely to have guns in their household, with 61 percent of each group reporting household gun ownership. 

Those with Progressive Left beliefs are least likely to live in a small town or rural area (13 percent). Together with the Outsider Left group, they are least likely to have guns in their household, with only 26 percent reporting gun ownership. 

Source: Pew Research Center, Beyond Red vs. Blue: The Political Typology

Most Americans Are Worried about Climate Change

Fully 65 percent of Americans aged 18 or older are worried about climate change, according to a Gallup survey. Forty-three percent are worried "a great deal" and another 22 percent are worried "a fair amount." 

Worries about climate change are not limited to the young or the educated. The majority of every demographic segment is worried a great deal/fair amount about climate change. Take a look...

Percent who are worried a great deal/fair amount about climate change

Total: 65%

Men: 59%

Women: 70%

Aged 18 to 29: 78%

Aged 30 to 49: 67%

Aged 50 to 64: 57%

Aged 65-plus: 60%

No college: 66%

Some college: 61%

College graduate: 65%

Postgraduate: 71%

Only one segment of the population is indifferent to climate change. Just 32 percent of Republicans say they are worried a great deal/fair amount about climate change. 

Source: Gallup, Are Americans Concerned about Global Warming?

Young Republicans Least Likely to be Vaccinated

The 73 percent majority of Americans have received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine, according to a Pew Research Center survey fielded August 23-29. Democrats (86 percent) are more likely than Republicans (60 percent) to be vaccinated. Among adults by age, people 65-plus are most likely to have gotten the vaccine (86 percent) and 18-to-29-year-olds least likely (66 percent). 

According to Pew's analysis of the numbers by age and political party affiliation, young Republicans (aged 18 to 29) are least likely to be vaccinated. Only 45 percent have received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine...

Percent with at least one dose of a Covid vaccine by age and political party affiliation

	Democrat	Republican
Total 18-plus	86%	60%
Aged 18 to 29	81	45
Aged 30 to 49	82	53
Aged 50 to 64	89	56
Aged 65-plus	94	80

The unvaccinated are hurting the country, according to the 60 percent majority of Americans. But the unvaccinated disagree. When Pew asked survey respondents how well this statement describes how they feel—"people who choose not to get a Covid-19 vaccine are hurting the country"—77 percent of the vaccinated said it describes how they feel. Among the unvaccinated, 87 percent said the statement does not describe how they feel.

Source: Pew Research Center, 10 Facts about Americans and Coronavirus Vaccines

Most Favor Mask, Vaccine Mandates for Schools

The 58 percent majority of the American public somewhat/strongly favors mask mandates for students attending K-12 schools, according to an AP-NORC survey. An almost identical 59 percent support a mask mandate for teachers working in those schools. But there are deep partisan divides on this issue, which is playing out in school districts across the country...

Percent who somewhat/strongly favor mask mandates for students in K-12 schools

Total adults: 58%

Democrats: 83%

Republicans: 31%

Vaccinated: 69%

Not vaccinated: 29%

Support for a Covid vaccine mandate is almost as popular as a mask mandate, with 55 percent of adults somewhat/strongly in favor of requiring students aged 12 or older to be vaccinated to attend school in person. Fifty-nine percent of Americans support a vaccine mandate for teachers. Among Democrats, 77 percent favor a vaccine mandate for students and 81 percent for teachers. Among Republicans, the figures are 34 and 38 percent, respectively.

Source: AP-NORC, Support for Mask and Vaccine Mandates in Schools

Is Voting a Fundamental Right or a Privilege?

It depends. Overall, 57 percent of Americans aged 18 or older say voting is a "fundamental right for every U.S. citizen and should not be restricted," according to a Pew Research Center survey. Another 42 percent of adults say voting is a "privilege that comes with responsibilities and can be limited." But beliefs about voting vary by demographic characteristic and political affiliation. 

• Younger adults are most likely to say voting is a fundamental right, with the figure peaking at 64 percent among 18-to-29-year-olds. Sixty percent of 30-to-49-year-olds agree. Among people aged 50 or older, however, only 50 to 51 percent say voting is a fundamental right. 
• Among Blacks, 77 percent say voting is a fundamental right, as do 66 percent of Asians and 63 percent of Hispanics. Among non-Hispanic whites, only 51 percent say voting is a fundamental right. 
• The biggest gap is by political party affiliation. Fully 78 percent of Democrats say voting is a fundamental right versus just 32 percent of Republicans. The 67 percent majority of Republicans say voting is a privilege that can be limited. 

Source: Pew Research Center, Wide Partisan Divide on whether Voting Is a Fundamental Right or a Privilege with Responsibilities

64% Are Confident in Science, Down from 70% in 1975

America's confidence in science has slipped over the past half century, according to a Gallup survey. While the 64 percent majority in 2021 reported having "quite a lot/a great deal" of confidence in science, this figure is below the 70 percent who expressed such confidence in 1975—the last time Gallup asked the question. It took Gallup nearly 50 years to pose the question a second time—perhaps because Gallup's researchers assumed having such confidence as we progressed into the 21st century was a no brainer. Looks like that assumption was incorrect. 

Where is the erosion occurring? Among Republicans. Here is the percentage of adults in 1975 and 2021 with "quite a lot/a great deal" of confidence in science by political party affiliation...

Percent with "quite a lot/a great deal" of confidence in science, 1975

Democrats: 67%

Republicans: 72%

Percentage point gap: Republicans +5

Percent with "quite a lot/a great deal" of confidence in science, 2021

Democrats: 79%

Republicans: 45%

Percentage point gap: Democrats +34

In 1975, Republicans were 5 percentage points more likely than Democrats to have "quite a lot/a great deal" of confidence in science. In 2021, Republicans were 34 percentage points less likely than Democrats to have confidence in science. 

Gallup notes: "The current 34-point gap in confidence in science is among the largest Gallup measured for any of the institutions in this year's poll, exceeded only by a 49-point party divide in ratings of the presidency and 45 points in ratings of the police." 

Gallup, Democratic, Republican Confidence in Science Diverges

QAnon Tenets Believed by 15-20% of Americans

An alarmingly large share of the public believes in each of the three tenets of the QAnon conspiracy theory, according to a PRRI survey...

1. Fifteen percent of Americans believe "the government, media, and financial worlds in the U.S. are controlled by a group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles who run a global child sex trafficking operation." Among Republicans, 23 percent believe this to be true.
2. Fifteen percent of Americans agree with the statement, "because things have gotten so far off track, true American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to save our country." Among Republicans, the figure is 28 percent.
3. Twenty percent of Americans believe "there is a storm coming soon that will sweep away the elites in power and restore the rightful leaders." Among Republicans, 28 percent are believers.

Perhaps most worrisome is the belief that violence may be necessary. Fully 42 of those who watch far-right news sources believe true American patriots may have to resort to violence to save our country. Among Fox News viewers, the figure is 27 percent. Among white evangelical protestants, 24 percent. 

Source: PRRI, Understanding QAnon's Connection to American Politics, Religion, and Media Consumption

Who Favors Proof of Vaccination?

The majority of American adults are in favor of businesses requiring proof of vaccination before people can participate in certain activities over the next few months, according to a Gallup survey. Overall, 57 percent favor requiring proof of vaccination for air travel and 55 percent for attending events with large crowds. 

There is a deep partisan split on whether businesses should require proof of vaccination, however. The majority of Democrats favor proof of vaccination for all of the selected activities, while only about a quarter or fewer Republicans feel the same way.

Percent who favor businesses requiring proof of vaccination before participation in activity

	total	Democrats	Republicans
Air travel	57%	85%	28%
Events with large crowds	55	82	25
Where you work*	45	69	16
Hotel stay	44	66	22
Dine in restaurant	40	62	19

*This question was asked only of those who are employed. 

Source: Gallup, U.S. Support for Vaccination Proof Varies by Activity

The Growing Partisan Divide on Climate Change

Since 2016, the public's attitudes toward global warming have frozen, according to Gallup. But that doesn't mean things haven't changed. "This stability masks growing divergence between Republicans and Democrats," Gallup reports.

Overall, the 59 percent majority of Americans say the effects of global warming have already begun, identical to the share who said so in 2016. But Democrats are more likely and Republicans less likely to feel this way...

Percent who say the effects of global warming have already begun

	2020	2016	change
Total 18-plus	59%	59%	0
Democrats	82	77	+5
Republicans	29	40	-11

The gap between Democrats and Republicans on this issue grew from an already large 37 percentage points in 2016 to an enormous 53 percentage points in 2021. 

The pattern is the same when Americans are asked whether global warming will pose a serious threat in their lifetime. A growing share of Democrats say it will—67 percent in 2021, up from 58 percent in 2016. Only 11 percent of Republicans feel this way, down from 20 percent in 2016. 

Passing legislation to deal with climate change will be a tough sell, warns Gallup, because "Republicans signing on to such legislation are likely to face blowback from the Republican base."

Source: Gallup, Global Warming Attitudes Frozen Since 2016

Houston, We Have a Problem

"Because things have gotten so far off track in this country, we need a leader who is willing to break some rules if that's what it takes to set things right." Do you agree or disagree? 

A substantial 44 percent of Americans "mostly" or "completely" agree with the statement, according to PRRI's 2020 American Values Survey. The survey was fielded last September, well before the January 6 Trump insurrection. Here is the percentage who agree by political affiliation...

We need a leader who is willing to break some rules if that's what it takes to set things right (percent mostly/completely agreeing)

57% of Republicans

43% of independents

36% of Democrats

With so many Americans willing to take a wrecking ball to law and order, the Trump insurrection was inevitable.

Source: PRRI, 2020 American Values Survey

Most Voters Now Feel Hopeful

The 56 percent majority of all American voters now feel "hopeful" about the state of the United States, according to a Pew Research Center survey fielded November 12-17. Before the election in June 2020, a smaller 47 percent of registered voters felt hopeful. 

Not everyone feels more hopeful now than they did before the election. Hope has increased greatly among those who voted for Biden. Trump voters are much less likely to feel hopeful...

Percent of Biden voters who feel hopeful about the state of the nation

June: 42%

November: 72%

Change: +30 percentage points

Percent of Trump voters who feel hopeful about the state of the nation

June 53%

November: 39%

Change: –14 percentage points

Source: Pew Research Center, Most Voters are 'Fearful' and 'Angry' about the State of the U.S., but a Majority Now Are 'Hopeful,' Too

Has God Granted America a Special Role?

Four years ago, the 57 percent majority of Americans agreed with the statement: "God has granted America a special role in human history." Back in 2016, fully 76 percent of Republicans and 53 percent of Democrats agreed, according to PRRI's American Values Survey. 

Most Americans don't feel that way anymore. Four years of the Trump presidency have caused many to lose faith. Either they've decided God has nothing to do with the current state of affairs, or they've decided the U.S. has no special role to play. Only 40 percent of the public now agrees with the statement. Among Democrats, the share who agree fell by more than 20 percentage points to 32 percent. Among Republicans, the share agreeing fell 12 percentage points to 64 percent—still the great majority. 

Source: PRRI, 2020 American Values Survey

Who Do You Believe about the Coronavirus Pandemic?

Nearly half of the American public (49 percent) has "a lot" of trust in Dr. Anthony Fauci to provide accurate information about the coronavirus pandemic, according to the PRRI 2020 American Values Survey. The only other source that garners slightly more trust (51 percent) is university research centers. Just 14 percent of the public has a lot of trust in Donald Trump to provide accurate information about the pandemic. But there are big differences in trust by political ideology. Here are the percentages with "a lot" of trust in each source...

• Dr. Anthony Fauci: 73 percent of Democrats and 31 percent of Republicans 
• University research centers: 65 percent of Democrats and 37 percent of Republicans
• State and local health organizations: 60 percent of Democrats and 24 percent of Republicans
• Joe Biden: 58 percent of Democrats and 4 percent of Republicans
• CDC: 57 percent of Democrats and 40 percent of Republicans
• Donald Trump: 1 percent of Democrats and 39 percent of Republicans

Republicans who say Fox News is their most trusted source of television news are much more likely to trust Donald Trump to keep them informed about the pandemic. Fully 58 percent of Fox News Republicans, as PRRI calls them, have a lot of trust in Donald Trump as a source of information about coronavirus. In fact, Donald Trump is their most trusted source—far ahead of university research centers (32 percent), Dr. Fauci (23 percent), and state and local health organizations (15 percent). 

Source: PRRI, 2020 American Values Survey

Democrats, Republicans Far Apart on Importance of Coronavirus

The 62 percent majority of voters say the coronavirus outbreak is very important to their vote in the 2020 presidential election, according to a Pew Research Center survey. Coronavirus is not the most important issue, however. More important than coronavirus is the economy (79 percent of voters say the economy is very important to their vote), health care (68 percent), and Supreme Court appointments (64 percent). Of course, Democrats and Republicans have different opinions about the importance of coronavirus...

Percent of voters who say the coronavirus outbreak is very important to their vote

Democrats: 82%

Republicans: 39%

Note: Pew fielded this survey before the President became infected with Covid-19. How the White House outbreak affects voting priorities remains to be seen. 

Source: Pew Research Center, Important Issues in the 2020 Election