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Generational Political Shifts

While it has long been claimed that the average American becomes more conservative as they age, which largely has been true, the adage may soon need updating. Data[1] has begun to show that this trend is no longer holding, revealing that the current cohort of 35-year-olds is the least conservative on record, with Gen Z on track to be even less conservative. This shift, in my opinion, is likely a reason why many conservatives have become so extreme, some of whom have resorted to violence, including the unprecedented attack on our own Capitol—the first breach since the War of 1812.

Change is inherently challenging for many to accept, even when its impact is neutral. It becomes even harder for those who perceive change as a threat to their well-being. Conversely, change is readily embraced by those who see it as beneficial. Such is the nature of humans and, indeed, most of nature. Fear is a primal and powerful motivator.

However, reality is unyielding, and it presents hard truths we all must confront. Many can either adapt or risk being left behind.

State Voting Results and Mortality Rates

The following list details the average lifespan in each state alongside how each state voted in the 2020 election. This will be updated after the 2024 election, in hopes that we make decisions beneficial for our collective well-being. I aspire for every state to achieve life expectancies comparable to those of Hawaii or California.

  1. Hawaii - 81.5 years (Democratic)
  2. California - 80.8 years (Democratic)
  3. New York - 80.7 years (Democratic)
  4. Massachusetts - 80.4 years (Democratic)
  5. Connecticut - 80.3 years (Democratic)
  6. New Jersey - 80.0 years (Democratic)
  7. Washington - 79.2 years (Democratic)
  8. Minnesota - 79.1 years (Democratic)
  9. Colorado - 78.3 years (Democratic)
  10. Rhode Island - 78.2 years (Democratic)
  11. Utah - 78.1 years (Republican)
  12. Nebraska - 78.0 years (Republican)
  13. Oregon - 77.8 years (Democratic)
  14. Vermont - 77.8 years (Democratic)
  15. Wisconsin - 77.7 years (Democratic)
  16. North Dakota - 77.6 years (Republican)
  17. Iowa - 77.4 years (Republican)
  18. Idaho - 77.2 years (Republican)
  19. Virginia - 77.2 years (Democratic)
  20. South Dakota - 77.1 years (Republican)
  21. Arizona - 76.9 years (Democratic)
  22. Florida - 76.8 years (Republican)
  23. Illinois - 76.8 years (Democratic)
  24. Texas - 76.7 years (Republican)
  25. Maryland - 76.6 years (Democratic)
  26. Pennsylvania - 76.5 years (Democratic)
  27. Alaska - 76.4 years (Republican)
  28. Montana - 76.4 years (Republican)
  29. Kansas - 76.3 years (Republican)
  30. Nevada - 76.2 years (Democratic)
  31. New Hampshire - 76.2 years (Democratic)
  32. North Carolina - 76.2 years (Republican)
  33. Delaware - 76.1 years (Democratic)
  34. Michigan - 76.0 years (Democratic)
  35. Ohio - 76.0 years (Republican)
  36. Missouri - 75.9 years (Republican)
  37. Indiana - 75.8 years (Republican)
  38. Kentucky - 75.7 years (Republican)
  39. Maine - 75.6 years (Democratic)
  40. Oklahoma - 75.5 years (Republican)
  41. South Carolina - 75.5 years (Republican)
  42. Georgia - 75.4 years (Democratic)
  43. Tennessee - 75.4 years (Republican)
  44. West Virginia - 75.3 years (Republican)
  45. Arkansas - 75.1 years (Republican)
  46. Louisiana - 75.0 years (Republican)
  47. Alabama - 74.8 years (Republican)
  48. Mississippi - 74.6 years (Republican)

For an average in Democratic states of 78 years old and an average of 76 years old in Repulican states. Take it however you wish. Does it mean anything? I tend to think so, but it is also a complex and nuanced data point that deserves a much deeper look and is outside the scope of this article.

Life expectancy data was aggregated from World Population Review's 2023 report on state life expectancies (World Population Review, 2023), and political affiliations were determined based on the 2020 United States presidential election results as documented by Wikipedia (Wikipedia contributors, 2023).

References 1. Raiken, A. (2022, December 31). "Millennials are becoming less conservative as they age, new data finds." The Independent. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk


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