The suburbs broke back to the Republican side, while towns and rural areas solidified as Republican strongholds, more polarized from urban dwellers than before.

The old and young moved right, but the middle — driven perhaps by urban whites with more tolerance on social issues — moved left.

Hispanics and Asians bucked the tide in a striking way, continuing their consolidation as Democrats.

Cities shifted only slightly, and continue to be the centerpiece of the Obama majority.

’12

’04

’08

The groups are placed left or right of center depending on their level of support for their preferred party. For example, white voters in Alabama remain strongly Republican, though they moved a little left in this election.

In 2012, nearly all groups reduced their support for Obama, which is shown here with a shift to the right.

In 2008, many groups moved left, giving Barack Obama more support than they had given to John Kerry in 2004.

HOW TO READ THIS CHART

Hispanics in Colo.

Hispanics in Fla.

Hispanics in Nev.

Rural areas

Small towns

Suburbs

Small cities

Big cities

No religion

Jewish

Catholics

All Protestants

Attend church at least once week

White evangelical

$100,000+

$50,000 to $100,000

$30,000 to $50,000

Under $30,000

65+

45 to 64

30 to 44

18 to 29

Whites in Ala.

Whites in Colo.

Whites in Fla.

Asian

Hispanic

Black

White

Women

Men

Total vote

percentage points

MARGIN OF VICTORY

100

80

60

40

20

0

20

40

60

80

100

100

80

60

40

20

0

20

40

60

80

100

MORE REPUBLICAN

MORE DEMOCRATIC

Religion

Age

City

State Demographics

GROUPS

Gender

Income