During each election, voters in each state decide who they want to be president. In turn, these votes become seats. Some states are more right or left-leaning than others, so which are the most conservative states?
Whilst the US as a whole may be either one of the most conservative countries or one of the most liberal countries in the world, it is divided. There are several states that are incredibly conservative. These are them!
15. Texas
When you think of conservative states, it’s hard not to think of Texas. Although, it has become more liberal in certain parts, in recent years, it is still considered to be a Republican state.
For almost its entire history, Texas has for conservative candidates. From 1848 until 1952, Texas voted exclusively Democrat (when they were conservative), except for 1928. And then Republican ever since.
Texas is well known for its very lax gun laws, with it being one of the easiest states to buy firearms in. It is also one of the states with the toughest stance on crime, being one of the few states to still have the death penalty.
As with most other conservative states, Texas has incredibly low state taxes. Texas has a state tax of 6.25%, which is one of the lowest in the country, with certain counties in Texas having a 0% tax rate!
14. Indiana
In just about every election, Indiana is seen as a strong Republican state. Indeed, most Indianans are against Democratic candidates from the get-go, only voting for them in five elections in 250 years.
The state is well known for having several large military bases in it, full of servicemen and women who generally have conservative viewpoints. In recent years, many of the smaller bases have closed in favor of expanding larger ones.
Indiana is similarly well known for its low taxes. Property taxes are a mere 0.87%, sales taxes are only 7% and income taxes are a flat 3.23%, which is the lowest in the entire country! (Of those states that have an income tax)
Whilst not as lax as some other conservative states, Indiana does have fairly lax gun laws. If you wish to carry a handgun in public, you need a license, however, shotguns and long guns are the opposite!
13. Alaska
Depending on where you go, and who you ask, Alaska is either one of the most conservative, or most liberal states. It really depends one where you go. In the cities, its conservative, in the Alaska Bush, it’s mostly liberal.
In total, however, Alaska is more conservative, having voted for the conservative candidate in every election since statehood, except for Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
Since the US bought Alaska from Russia in 1867 (in the “Alaska Purchase“), Alaska has become a favorite place for military bases. This has helped make, and keep Alaska conservative (because the military is inherently conservative).
As with most other states, Alaska has a business tax. However, this is comparably lower than other states. On top of all this, Alaska has no franchise or privilege taxes that most other states do.
12. Idaho
For much of Idaho’s history, it has voted conservative, regardless of what that party may be. Since 1995, Idaho’s entire state legislator have been Republicans, with much of that power having been present since the early 1970’s.
Idaho is either one of the cheapest or most expensive states in terms of tax. If you are a high earner, the state charges 6.925% in state income tax, but if you aren’t a high earner, the state charges as little as 1.125% in income tax.
Recent years have seen Idaho’s religious population decrease. In 2008, 81% of Idaho’s population identified as Christian in some way. In 2014, this has decreased to only 67% of Idaho’s population.
Similarly to many other conservative states, Idaho is very lax in terms of its gun laws. Open carry is commonplace, as is teaching your children how to shoot, with more Idahoan children being taught how to shoot than any other state!
11. Oklahoma
For almost its entire history, Oklahoma has voted for the conservative presidential candidate. As such, the vast majority of people would agree that Oklahoma is among the most conservative states in the US.
Oklahoma ranks among the cheapest states in terms of sales tax. As of the time of writing, Oklahoma has a slaes tax of 4.5% and a state income tax of 5%, both among the cheapest in the country.
Due to this, Oklahoma has become home to some of the world’s most conservative companies such as Hobby Lobby, among others. It has also become home to several family businesses too.
Oklahoma is known for being very religious, often drawing its laws from scripture (hence why many in the state oppose so-called gay conservatives!) In fact, 82% of Oklahomans identify as Christian of some denomination.
10. South Carolina
When it comes to the most conservative states, South Carolina is among the most famous. Since it was incorporated into the union in 1788, it has almost exclusively voted for the conservative presidential candidate.
South Carolina has the lowest union membership rate of any state in the country. Only 2.2% of South Carolinians are a part of a workers’ union of some kind, compared to 24% in New York (the highest in the country).
The state has a relatively low sales tax rate, at only 6%. On top of all this, South Carolina has a relatively low state income tax, at only 3% or 7% (depending on the amount of money you earn).
As such, the state has become a magnet for small businesses. In fact, South Carolina has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the entire country, at only 3.2%, which s lower than the national average.
9. Utah
Throughout the state’s entire history, Utah has voted almost exclusively for conservative candidates, both for governor and for president. the only time they didn’t was in 1912, opposing Al Smith.
Utah is one of the few states to have a flat income tax rate, of 4.95%. For the majority of the state, sales tax is 6.10%, whereas property tax is 0.66%, all among the lowest in the country!
The state is among the most religious in the country. Utah is famous for its Mormons, comprising of 55% of the population. However, the Christian population is at around 73%, including protestant and catholic minorities.
Utah has the most restrictive firearms laws of any right-leaning state. Conceal carry requires a license, with it being restricted to the city. Oddly enough, guns in church are strictly against Utah state law.
8. Arkansas
Throughout much of its history, Arkansas has been a Democrat stronghold. However, since then, it has gotten progressively more conservative year-on-year. Today, it votes almost exclusively Republican.
Arkansas has one of the highest tax rates of any right-leaning state, with 6.5% sales tax. Depending on how much you earn, you may have to pay 0% or up to 7% in state income tax.
Just as with most other southern states, Arkansas is one of the most religious states in the US. 79% of its residents consider themselves Christian, with many others considering themselves agnostic.
Arkansas has some of the laxest gun laws in the country. Assuming that you own the firearm legally, you can carry it on your person wherever you go. However, Arkansas does not impose a stand your ground law.
7. Tennessee
For much of Tennessee’s history, it has been one of the most conservative states in the US. In almost every election since 1790, Tennessee has voted for the conservative candidate.
Tennessee is well known for having no state income tax, but does have still a comparatively low 7% sales tax. On top of all that, Tennessee has the lowest property tax in the US, at 0.74%.
Even as atheism is becoming more widespread, Tennessee has actually become more religious, with over 50% of Tennesseans identifying as Christian, mostly protestant denominations.
On top of all this, Tennessee is has a very conservative culture, with 43% of Tennesseans identifying as conservative. Tennessee also has very little union power, with only 5.5% of Tennessee workers being a part of one.
6. West Virginia
Although it has waned in recent years, West Virginia is still very much a Republican stronghold. For much of its history, West Virginia has voted almost exclusively conservative.
West Virginia is among the mid-tier of low state taxes. West Virginia has a 6% sales tax, 4.5%-6.5% state income tax and 0.59% property tax, all among some of the cheapest in the US.
Of those surveyed, 78% of West Virginians are practicing Christians, mostly protestant of some degree, although there is a large Catholic minority. In the beginning, religion was the driving force behind much of West Virginia’s laws.
As with most other conservative-leaning states, West Virginia has open carry, which is incredibly common. On top of this, West Virginia is also a “stand your ground” state.
5. Wyoming
Before the 1980’s, Wyoming was one of the most liberal states in the Union. However, since then, Wyoming has become one of the most conservative states in the Union, voting for Republicans in every election since 1980.
Whilst California may have more millionaires and billionaires and celebrities in total, Wyoming has the most per capita. Some of these are among the most famous celebrity conservatives in the US.
This is partly due to Wyoming having not state income tax, which only a few states do not have. The state’s sales tax rate is a measly 4%, which is the ninth lowest in the country.
Wyoming is one of the least populous states in the Union, having incredibly sparse parts of the state. Here, there is a lot of mining or fields and forests for hunting, indeed, Wyoming is one of the best states for both activities!
4. Louisiana
For much of its history, Louisiana has voted conservative, making it among the most conservative states in the US. Despite this, Democrats still try to win seats here.
In recent years, the state has become a favorite of small businesses. The state has implemented low sales taxes (at only 4.45%) and low state income tax (at only 2%, 4% or 6% depending on your income).
Due to this, Louisiana has one of the lowest unemployment rates of any state in the US. This has resulted in 43% of Louisianans identifying as conservative, compared to 15% who identify as liberal.
Louisiana is well know for its very lax gun laws. The state doesn’t require that you register your firearms with them, nor does it require a concealed carry permit, as long as you own the firearm legally.
3. South Dakota
Since the mid-1970’s, South Dakota has moved slowly to the right in every election season. Today, 44% of South Dakota’s population identifies as conservative, compared to 13% identifying as liberal.
South Dakota is one of the few states to have no state income or inheritance taxes. Where most other states would increase sales taxes astronomically, in South Dakota, it’s actually been decreasing, to only 4.5% as of the time of writing.
For several years, South Dakota has been ranked among the US’s most business-friendly states. For years, South Dakota has ran business growth programs, aimed at growing South Dakota’s economy through job creation.
South Dakota also has one of the highest denominations of Christians in the US. 86% of all the people in South Dakota identify as Christian, with several more being of Native American religions.
2. Alabama
For almost all of Alabama’s history, they have elected a conservative candidate for president. The only they did not was in 1912, when Catholic Al Smith entered the race.
Most people generally agree that Alabama is among the most conservative states in the US. This is a sentiment shared by those in Alabama too, with over 55% of native Alabamans identfying as conservative.
Alabama is known for being very religious, with almost everybody in the state following some form of religion. 86% of Alabama’s population identifies as Christian, mostly being Protestant of some denomination.
The state also levies relatively low income taxes, at only 2%, 4% or 5%. Alabama also has a relatively low sales tax, at only 4%, however, the state does levy extra taxes on certain items.
1. Mississippi
I have to admit, when you think of conservative states, you don’t really think of Mississippi. Regardless, since it was admitted into the Union in 1817, it has been a firmly conservative-leaning state.
According to research, 59% of Mississippians are deeply religious. The state is one of only a handful of conservative-leaning states to not have a single atheist conservative serving in Washington in either house.
Mississippi is one of the few right-leaning states that has a state income tax. This state tax rate is 5%, which is below the national average of 6%. The state also has relatively low sales taxes, at around 7%.
The state has one of the laxest gun laws in the entire country. Mississippi is one of the few states that doesn’t require a conceal and carry permit, meaning that as long as you own the gun legally, you can carry it with you.
Which are you favorite conservative states? Tell me in the comments!
Featured image courtesy of Jonathan Cutrer via Flickr.