Phelps County leans heavily Republican by roughly 34 points: about 33% of voters vote Democratic and 67% Republican.
About 66% of adults in Phelps County typically vote, near the U.S. average of about 62%. Among adults in Phelps County, ~22% vote Democratic, ~44% Republican, and ~34% don't vote. The map below shows estimated turnout by block group.
How Phelps County compares
Among counties within 50 miles, Phelps County leans more Republican than 1 of 9 neighbors.
Phelps County runs about 15 points more Republican than Missouri as a whole.
Politics vary noticeably by city within Phelps County. The northwest side is the most Republican-leaning (R+59) and the north side is the least Republican-leaning (R+26), a spread of about 33 points.
Why Phelps County leans the way it does
Density, race composition, education, and family structure all sit close to their national averages in Phelps County. The lean here lands roughly where demographic data alone would predict.
Frequent mental distress and voter turnout
Places with a low frequent-mental-distress rate tend to turn out at a higher rate; Phelps County, MO sits in the bottom quarter nationally on this measure. Reported mental distress does not drive turnout; it reflects economic and health conditions tied to voting.
Why turnout in Phelps County looks the way it does
Turnout in Phelps 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
- Maries County, MO R+66
- Dent County, MO R+65
- Crawford County, MO R+61
- Pulaski County, MO R+36
- Osage County, MO R+70
- Gasconade County, MO R+58
- Texas County, MO R+67
- Miller County, MO R+64
- Cole County, MO R+29
- Washington County, MO R+63
Counties with Similar Populations
- Stephenson County, IL R+14
- Beaufort County, NC R+24
- McDowell County, NC R+50
- Warren County, MS D+6
- Bryan County, GA R+35
- Stokes County, NC R+57
- Jefferson County, PA R+55
- Barren County, KY R+50
- Henderson County, KY R+33
- Wood County, TX R+68
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Sources and methodology
Precinct-level voting records used to fit the model come from Missouri 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.