Each of these maps are from Social Explorer and use the ACS 2022 5 year estimates.
This is a map of each county in Nevada based on the percentage of the population that is white. It uses arithmetic progression as I thought that would better represent the data. Clark County sticks out compared to the rest of the state with it only being a little less than half white, due to it housing Las Vegas and cities generally being more racially diverse than rural areas. This can also be seen to a lesser extent with Washoe County and its city of Reno being less white than its neighboring counties. According to this article, white people are more likely to vote Republican than other races, meaning that Clark County is more likely to vote Democrat than the other counties.
This is a map of the percentage of the population that is Native alone within each county. While the map may not highlight it well, Mineral County has the highest percentage by far, with a 21.41% native population. This is nearly four times the percentage of the next highest, White Pine County. This seems to be due to the county housing most of the Walker River reservation, belonging to the Walker River Paiute Tribe. This article states that Native Americans are more likely to vote for Democratic candidates, although the effect of the counties with higher percentages may not greatly affect Nevada’s choice in the election due to their small populations. However, other Nevada residents may be more aware of issues affecting Native Americans due to living in proximity to them, and this may affect their votes as well.
This last map is of the percentage of the population within each county that is foreign-born. Clark County unsurprisingly has the highest percentage of 21.82% with Washoe and Esmeralda counties also having high numbers. The seeming randomness of the distribution could be explained by differing job opportunities across the counties, as some may be more desirable to people coming into the country than others. Immigrants are likely to vote for candidates with policies that would benefit them, which may create some division between the counties with higher percentages and counties with lower percentages.
1 comment:
When you discuss the map of the white population, I agree that Clark County is marked by having a smaller population of white citizens. Of course, the urbanization of Las Vegas and the cultural and economic center contributes greatly to the vast diversity in racial demography compared to other rural areas. Your point about political implications is also right on—urban areas, especially those with more racial diversity, tend to be Democratic-heavy, and it was reflected in the way Clark County voted.
Interesting map you shared on the Native American population; Mineral County was quite an outlier at that high of a percent of Native residents, but largely because of the Walker River Paiute Tribe, and it speaks to some very important demographic shifts in Nevada. While the smaller population sizes of these counties may restrict their direct influence on statewide elections, as you said, their proximity to other populations could raise awareness of issues affecting Native communities. Such awareness might have indirect influences on broader political outcomes, especially in a state with ever-diversifying demographics.
Lastly, I liked reading your comments on foreign-born populations. It isn't even close to shocking that such a large county filled with opportunity-both in industries like tourism and service-related-would have a large population of immigrants. You make a very astute point when you say that immigrants often go to candidates whose policies are aimed at benefiting their communities. Yes, the variation in immigrant populations across counties may very well underpin political priorities that vary across areas, as immigration policy-even economic opportunities for immigrants-is so hotly debated in national politics.
I find interesting the points that you have drawn between demographics and voting behavior, especially in how diversified populations may influence Nevada's political landscape. Your analysis really helps reiterate that these maps go beyond just statistical representations but go on to show the ways that local communities interface with a greater political momentum.
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