In my opinion, choosing where to retire primarily based on the political makeup of a place is a big mistake.
There are so many other factors that should take precedence like weather, cost of living, availability of recreation/entertainment opportunities, quality healthcare, and so much more.
But I know in today’s political climate, a place’s politics do play a big role for many people.
With that in mind, I present to you this breakdown of the political leanings of various parts of Florida.
Most of the data presented here comes from BestPlaces.net, and if you'd like to dive deeper into the politics of any specific place not listed below, that's a great place to start.
Again, I can’t stress enough, I hope you don’t look at this list and rule out specific places just because of its political makeup before taking all factors into consideration.
On to the list!
Politically Neutral Areas
The criteria I used for this was any place with one party in the 50% range in the last Presidential election.
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
When I survey my readers about what part of Florida they are most interested in moving to, this part of Florida always comes out on top.
In the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater Metro Area 48.3% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 50.4% voted Republican.
The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area voted Republican in 2020, 2016 and 2004, and Democratic in 2012, 2008 and 2000.
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Port St. Lucie
Jumping over to the east coast, in the Port St. Lucie Metro Area 45.1% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 54.1% voted Republican.
The Port St. Lucie metro area voted Republican in 2020, 2016, 2012 and 2004, and Democratic in 2008 and 2000.
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Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford
In the Orlando–Kissimmee-Sanford Metro Area 55.3% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 43.4% voted Republican.
The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metro area voted Democratic in the four most recent Presidential elections, after 2000 and 2004 went Republican.
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton
Home to Florida's second best-selling community, Lakewood Ranch, the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton Metro Area saw 42.9% of the people vote Democrat in the last presidential election and 56.0% vote Republican.
The North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro area has favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
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Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach
Home to the world's first Latitude Margaritaville 55+ community, the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach Metro Area saw 41.8% of the people vote Democrat in the last presidential election and 57.0% vote Republican.
The Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach metro area has voted Republican in three most recent Presidential elections, after voting Democratic in the previous three.
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Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville
In Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville Metro Area 41.1% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 57.5% voted Republican. The Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville metro area has favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach
In the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach Metro Area 57.5% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 41.7% voted Republican. The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area has favored the Democratic in every Presidential election since 2000.
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Lakeland-Winter Haven
Located about an hour southwest of Orlando, the Lakeland-Winter Haven Metro Area saw 42.2% of people vote Democrat in the last presidential election and 56.6% vote Republican. The Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area has favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
Jacksonville
In the Jacksonville Metro Area 43.5% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 55.0% voted Republican. The Jacksonville metro area has favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
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Key West
In the Key West Metro Area 45.5% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 53.4% voted Republican.
Democrat Leaning Areas
The criteria I used for this category is any place where greater than ~60% voted Democrat in the last Presidential election.
Gainesville
In the Gainesville Metro Area 59.8% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 38.6% voted Republican.
The Gainesville metro area has favored the Democratic in every Presidential election since 2000.
Tallahassee
In the Tallahassee Metro Area 60.2% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 38.4% voted Republican. The Tallahassee metro area has favored the Democratic in every Presidential election since 2000.
Democrat Strongholds (Greater than 70% voted Democrat)
In my research, I could not find any metros that could be considered Democrat strongholds according to the methodology I used for this analysis.
Republican Leaning
The criteria I used for this is any place where greater than ~60% voted Republican in the last Presidential election.
The Villages
George W. Bush and Donald Trump have visited The Villages on multiple occasions, and based on what is often reported in the news, you might think The Villages is the most Republican place in Florida.
But according to how I'm grouping different areas for this article, it's not even classified as a Republican stronghold. Definitely “strongly leaning”, but not quite a stronghold.
In The Villages Metro Area 31.7% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 67.8% voted Republican. The Villages metro area has favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
Want to learn more about The Villages? I wrote the book on it:
Ocala
The Ocala area is home to several 55+ communities, like On Top of the World and Del Webb Stone Creek.
In the Ocala Metro Area 36.6% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 62.4% voted Republican. The Ocala metro area has favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
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Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island
Located in Southwest Florida, the Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island Metro Area saw 37.3% of the people vote Democrat in the last presidential election and 61.9% vote Republican.
The Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island metro area has favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
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Cape Coral-Fort Myers
Also in Southwest Florida, in the Cape Coral–Fort Myers Metro Area 39.9% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 59.1% voted Republican. The Cape Coral-Fort Myers metro area has favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
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Sebring
Located about 2 hours due south of Orlando, in the Sebring Metro Area 32.4% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 66.8% voted Republican. The Sebring metro area favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
Sebastian-Vero Beach
Located on Florida's east coast, about 30 miles north of Port St. Lucie, the Sebastian-Vero Beach Metro Area saw 38.7% of the people vote Democrat in the last presidential election and 60.2% vote Republican. The Sebastian-Vero Beach metro area has favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda is in Southwest Florida, about 25 miles north of Fort Myers.
In the Punta Gorda Metro Area 36.3% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 62.8% voted Republican. The Punta Gorda metro area has favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
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Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent
This is the westernmost part of the Florida Panhandle, just before you get to Alabama.
Home to the iconic U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent Metro Area saw 35.7% of residents vote Democrat in the last presidential election and 62.4% vote Republican.
The Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent metro area has favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
Republican Strongholds (Greater than 70% voted Republican)
Crestview-Fort Walton-Destin
Located about an hour west of Latitude Margaritaville Watersound in the Florida Panhandle, the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin Metro Area 27.8% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 70.2% voted Republican.
The Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin metro area has favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
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Home prices start in the $300k's.
Homosassa Springs
Homosassa Springs is part of Florida's Nature Coast, and just 10 miles from Crystal River, the Manatee Capital of the World.
In the Homosassa Springs Metro Area 29.0% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 70.0% voted Republican.
Lake City
Lake City is located about an hour west of Jacksonville, not too far south of the Florida-Georgia state line.
In Lake City Metro Area 26.9% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election, 72.0% voted for the Republican Party, and the remaining 1.0% voted Independent. The Lake City metro area has favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000
Panama City
In the Panama City Metro Area 27.2% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 71.2% voted Republican. The Panama City metro area has favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
Palatka
Palatka is located about 45 minutes southwest of St. Augustine.
In the Palatka Metro Area 28.9% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 70.1% voted Republican. The Palatka metro area has favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
Okeechobee
Okeechobee is about 45 minutes west of Port St. Lucie, and generally is not known as a retirement hotspot.
In the Okeechobee Metro Area 27.5% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election, and 71.8% voted Republican. The Okeechobee metro area has favored the Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
Wauchula
Wauchula is about an hour and a half north of Fort Myers, pretty much in the middle of nowhere, so I doubt many of you will choose to retire there, no matter how well you like the politics.
In the Wauchula Metro Area 27.0% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election and 72.0% voted Republican.
Final Thoughts
Again, I can’t stress enough that I sincerely hope you don’t base your decision on where to retire based solely on this list.
There are so many other factors that contribute to a happy retirement life that should be considered before politics weigh in.
While I welcome comments and reader input on most articles on this site, I’ve turned them off on this post to protect my sanity.
Thanks for reading!
