Independence, Oregon is a small city located in Polk County, with a population of around 9,400. It is known for its strong sense of community and local businesses. The local politics in Independence are strongly focused on improving the quality of life and economic opportunities for its residents. There are numerous initiatives to attract new jobs and build a vibrant local economy. The city also strives to create an attractive environment for families and young professionals. In terms of political representation, Independence is part of Oregon’s 18th district and is currently represented by Rep. Brian Clem in the U.S House of Representatives. Additionally, there are numerous local offices such as mayor, city council members, school board and more that serve citizens across the city. All these offices provide important support for the citizens living in Independence and help ensure their voices are heard at both the state and national levels.
The political climate in Zip 97351 (Independence, OR) is leaning conservative.
Polk County, OR is leaning conservative. In Polk County, OR 47.5% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election, 49.1% voted for the Republican Party, and the remaining 3.4% voted Independent.
In the last Presidential election, Polk county remained narrowly Republican, 49.1% to 47.5%.
Polk county voted Republican in every Presidential election since 2000.
The BestPlaces liberal/conservative index
Zip 97351 (Independence, OR) is leaning conservative.
Independence, Oregon is leaning conservative.
Polk County, Oregon is leaning conservative.
Salem Metro Area is leaning liberal.
Oregon is moderately 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.
Independence, Oregon: R R r r r r
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 97351 (Independence)
In the last 4 years (2018-2021), there were 295 contributions totaling $17,456 to the Democratic Party and liberal campaigns, averaging $59 per contribution.
In the last 4 years, there were 115 contributions totaling $10,643 to the Republican Party and conservative campaigns, averaging $93 per contribution.
(source: Federal Election Commission)