Pelham leans heavily Republican by roughly 36 points: about 32% of voters vote Democratic and 68% Republican.
About 69% of adults in Pelham typically vote, above the U.S. average of about 62%. Among adults in Pelham, ~22% vote Democratic, ~47% Republican, and ~31% don't vote. The map below shows estimated turnout by block group.
How Pelham compares
Among cities within 25 miles, Pelham leans more Republican than 32 of 63 neighbors.
Pelham runs about 33 points more Republican than North Carolina as a whole.
Politics vary noticeably by neighborhood within Pelham. The northwest side is the most Republican-leaning (R+55) and the north side is the least Republican-leaning (R+18), a spread of about 37 points.
Why Pelham leans the way it does
Density, race composition, education, and family structure all sit close to their national averages in Pelham. 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; Pelham, NC sits in the bottom tenth 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 Pelham looks the way it does
Turnout in Pelham 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 Cities
- Ruffin, NC R+49
- Whitfield, VA R+61
- Glenwood, VA R+60
- Providence, NC R+42
- Casville, NC R+34
- Bachelors Hall, VA R+55
- Leaksville Junction, VA R+39
- Danville, VA D+13
- Blanch, NC R+10
- Yanceyville, NC D+4
Cities with Similar Populations
- Memphis, MO R+57
- Muir, CA D+10
- Graford, TX R+79
- Post Oak Bend City, TX R+61
- Smithfield, KY R+51
- Outlook, WA R+28
- Argyle, NY R+34
- Whitley City, KY R+72
- Toms Brook, VA R+50
- Owensville, OH R+56
All Local Stats
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Sources and methodology
Precinct-level voting records used to fit the model come from North Carolina State Board 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.