26544 is a Republican stronghold. About 23% of voters here vote Democratic and 77% Republican.
About 66% of adults in 26544 typically vote, near the U.S. average of about 62%. Among adults in 26544, ~15% vote Democratic, ~51% Republican, and ~34% don't vote. The map below shows estimated turnout by block group.
How 26544 compares
Among zip codes within 15 miles, 26544 leans more Republican than 17 of 30 neighbors.
26544 runs about 11 points more Republican than West Virginia as a whole.
Politics vary noticeably by block within 26544. The south side is the most Republican-leaning (R+59) and the north side is the least Republican-leaning (R+37), a spread of about 22 points.
Why 26544 leans the way it does
Density, race composition, education, and family structure all sit close to their national averages in 26544. The lean here lands roughly where demographic data alone would predict.
Walkability and Republican lean
Places with a low walkability score tend to lean Republican; 26544, WV sits in the bottom quarter nationally on this measure. A walkable street grid does not change how people vote; it mostly reflects how urban a place is.
Why turnout in 26544 looks the way it does
Homeowners vote more often than renters. About 96% of households in 26544 own their home, about 15 points above the West Virginia average of 81%. Learn more about the findings and methodology on the political spectrum map.
Nearby Zip Codes
Zip Codes with Similar Populations
Sources and methodology
Precinct-level voting records used to fit the model come from West Virginia Secretary of State, Elections, distributed by the Voting and Election Science Team. Demographic inputs come from the U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-year estimates and the 2020 Decennial Census). Health and environmental inputs come from the CDC (PLACES and the Environmental Justice Index). Land cover comes from the USGS and EPA. Election-day and lead-up weather come from PRISM 4km daily grids and the NOAA Global Historical Climatology Network. Mail-voting and election-administration patterns come from the MIT Election Lab's Survey of the Performance of American Elections. Block-group crime detail comes from CrimeGrade. Internet data and modeling support provided by ISPreports.org.
Modeling and analysis by the BestNeighborhood data science team. Full methodology and findings: political spectrum map.
Methodology reviewed by the BestNeighborhood data team. Last updated May 2026.