Downtown leans heavily Democratic by roughly 36 points: about 68% of voters vote Democratic and 32% Republican.
About 42% of adults in Downtown typically vote, below the U.S. average of about 62%. Among adults in Downtown, ~29% vote Democratic, ~13% Republican, and ~58% don't vote. The map below shows estimated turnout by block group.
How Downtown compares
Among neighborhoods within 5 miles, Downtown is the most Democratic-leaning.
Downtown runs about 18 points more Democratic than Washington as a whole.
Why Downtown leans the way it does
Density, race composition, education, and family structure all sit close to their national averages in Downtown. The lean here lands roughly where demographic data alone would predict.
Paved land cover and Democratic lean
Places with extensive paved surfaces tend to lean Democratic; Downtown, Kent, WA sits in the top tenth nationally on this measure. Paved ground does not change how people vote; it mostly reflects how urban and built-up a place is.
Why turnout in Downtown looks the way it does
Renters vote less often than owners. About 77% of households in Downtown rent, about 52 points above the U.S. average of 25%. High-crime urban areas turn out at lower rates, and Downtown sits in the top 15% on a violent-crime measure. Learn more about the findings and methodology on the political spectrum map.
Nearby Neighborhoods
- Zenith, Des Moines, WA D+29
- Lea Hill, Auburn, WA D+17
- North Hill, Des Moines, WA D+23
- Fairwood Greens, Fairwood, WA D+31
- Maple Heights-Lake Desire, Renton, WA D+17
- Highlands Park, Renton, WA D+37
- Twin Lakes, Federal Way, WA D+28
- Rainier Beach, Seattle, WA D+59
- Highline, Seattle, WA D+37
- Kennydale, Renton, WA D+30
Neighborhoods with Similar Populations
- Oakhurst, Decatur, GA D+77
- East Phillips, Minneapolis, MN D+63
- Gresham-Southwest, Gresham, OR D+10
- Davidson, Kansas City, MO D+11
- Victoria Gardens, Rancho Cucamonga, CA D+11
- Vineyard, Escondido, CA D+9
- Old Town, Eureka, CA D+38
- Kenawood-Rockwood, Lexington, KY D+9
- Sierra Montana, Surprise, AZ R+20
- Dexter Falls, Columbus, OH D+21
Sources and methodology
Precinct-level voting records used to fit the model come from Washington 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.