Grand Rapids, Michigan's 49505 zip code is a diverse and vibrant area. The city has a long history of democratic politics, with the Democratic Party traditionally having a strong presence in the local government. Grand Rapids is also home to an active and engaged citizenry who regularly participate in political activities and events. The city council is made up of nine members, seven of whom are elected at large from the entire city and two that are elected by wards. Currently, the mayor of Grand Rapids is Rosalynn Bliss (D), who has served since 2015. Other prominent local politicians include Senator Winnie Brinks (D), Representative Jon Hoadley (D), Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo (D) and Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. (D). Each of these leaders have brought progress to Grand Rapids, making it a great place to live for residents 49505 zip code.
The political climate in Zip 49505 (Grand Rapids, MI) is leaning liberal.
Kent County, MI is leaning liberal. In Kent County, MI 51.9% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election, 45.8% voted for the Republican Party, and the remaining 2.3% voted Independent.
In the last Presidential election, Kent county flipped moderately Democratic, 51.9% to 45.8%.
Kent county flipped Democratic in 2020, after voting Republican in four of the last six Presidential elections.
The BestPlaces liberal/conservative index
Zip 49505 (Grand Rapids, MI) is leaning liberal.
Grand Rapids, Michigan is leaning liberal.
Kent County, Michigan is leaning liberal.
Grand Rapids-Kentwood Metro Area is leaning conservative.
Michigan is leaning liberal.
The BestPlaces liberal/conservative index is based on recent voting in national elections, federal campaign contributions by local residents, and consumer personality profiles.
VoteWord™
Displaying 20 years of Presidential voting, visualized in one word.
Grand Rapids, Michigan: R R d r r d
How It Works:
Here at BestPlaces, we were looking at the voting patterns since the 2000 election and realized that we could express the results of each election as one letter. R if the Republican Party candidate won, D for the Democrat and I for the Independent. The six elections (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020) would be expressed as six-letter word (R R D R R).
Then we went a little further and added the dimension of magnitude. If the difference of victory was greater than 10 percent, the letter is upper case, and lower case if the difference was less than 10 percent. This allows us to see interesting voting patterns at just a glance.
Here's the VoteWord for Iowa d r d d r. In the last six elections the state has been closely contested, voting narrowly for the Republican Party candidate in 2016 and 2020 after voting for the Democratic Party in 2008 and 2012. Virginia (r r d d d D) has voted for the Democratic Party in the last three elections.
Individual Campaign Contributions in zip 49505 (Grand Rapids)
In the last 4 years (2018-2021), there were 1,144 contributions totaling $64,023 to the Democratic Party and liberal campaigns, averaging $56 per contribution.
In the last 4 years, there were 182 contributions totaling $33,252 to the Republican Party and conservative campaigns, averaging $183 per contribution.
(source: Federal Election Commission)