McKean County leans heavily Republican by roughly 44 points: about 28% of voters vote Democratic and 72% Republican.
About 67% of adults in McKean County typically vote, near the U.S. average of about 62%. Among adults in McKean County, ~19% vote Democratic, ~48% Republican, and ~33% don't vote. The map below shows estimated turnout by block group.
How McKean County compares
Among counties within 50 miles, McKean County leans more Republican than 6 of 8 neighbors.
McKean County runs about 41 points more Republican than Pennsylvania as a whole.
Politics vary noticeably by city within McKean County. The northeast side is the most Republican-leaning (R+58) and the northwest side is the least Republican-leaning (R+34), a spread of about 25 points.
Why McKean County leans the way it does
Density, race composition, education, and family structure all sit close to their national averages in McKean County. The lean here lands roughly where demographic data alone would predict.
Homeownership and voter turnout
Places with homeowner-heavy households tend to turn out at a higher rate; McKean County, PA sits above the national average on this measure.
Why turnout in McKean County looks the way it does
Turnout in McKean County sits close to the national pattern. Routine healthcare access, homeownership, education, and food security all land near their national averages here. Learn more about the findings and methodology on the political spectrum map.
Nearby Counties
- Cattaraugus County, NY R+29
- Cameron County, PA R+47
- Elk County, PA R+42
- Potter County, PA R+58
- Warren County, PA R+41
- Allegany County, NY R+39
- Forest County, PA R+24
- Chautauqua County, NY R+16
- Jefferson County, PA R+55
- Clearfield County, PA R+46
Counties with Similar Populations
- Tazewell County, VA R+58
- LaGrange County, IN R+63
- Delaware County, OK R+58
- Amador County, CA R+35
- Fayette County, WV R+46
- Ottawa County, OH R+30
- Rio Arriba County, NM D+20
- Orleans County, NY R+32
- Wyoming County, NY R+39
- Pike County, MS D+8
Sources and methodology
Precinct-level voting records used to fit the model come from Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of 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.