The Demographics of the 2012 Election

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 73 views

Understanding the 2012 US Presidential Election: A Statistical Analysis

The 2012 US Presidential Election was a pivotal moment in American history, with Barack Obama facing off against Mitt Romney in a highly contested battle for the White House. As we delve into the statistics surrounding this election, it becomes clear that the outcome was shaped by a complex interplay of demographic factors, economic concerns, and social issues. In this article, we will examine the key statistics from the 2012 election, exploring the voting patterns of different demographics and the implications of these trends for the future of American politics.

The Demographics of the 2012 Election

One of the most striking aspects of the 2012 election was the significant gap in support between men and women. According to the data, men were more likely to support Romney, with 52% of male voters casting their ballots for the Republican candidate. In contrast, women were more evenly divided, with 55% supporting Obama and 44% supporting Romney. This disparity in support was particularly pronounced among white women, who voted for Romney by a margin of 56% to 43%.

The Role of Age in Shaping Voting Patterns

Age was another critical factor in the 2012 election, with younger voters tending to support Obama and older voters supporting Romney. According to the data, voters aged 18-29 supported Obama by a margin of 60% to 37%, while voters aged 65 and older supported Romney by a margin of 53% to 45%. This trend was particularly pronounced among Hispanic voters, who were overwhelmingly likely to support Obama regardless of age.

The Impact of Education on Voting Patterns

Education was another key factor in shaping voting patterns in the 2012 election. According to the data, voters with a college degree or higher were more likely to support Obama, with 59% of these voters casting their ballots for the Democratic candidate. In contrast, voters without a college degree were more evenly divided, with 51% supporting Obama and 48% supporting Romney. This trend was particularly pronounced among white voters, who were more likely to support Romney if they lacked a college degree.

The Role of Income in Shaping Voting Patterns

Income was another critical factor in the 2012 election, with voters from lower-income backgrounds tending to support Obama and voters from higher-income backgrounds supporting Romney. According to the data, voters with incomes below $50,000 supported Obama by a margin of 58% to 41%, while voters with incomes above $100,000 supported Romney by a margin of 53% to 46%. This trend was particularly pronounced among white voters, who were more likely to support Romney if they had higher incomes.

The Impact of Ethnicity on Voting Patterns

Ethnicity was another key factor in shaping voting patterns in the 2012 election. According to the data, Hispanic voters were overwhelmingly likely to support Obama, with 71% of these voters casting their ballots for the Democratic candidate. In contrast, white voters were more evenly divided, with 51% supporting Obama and 48% supporting Romney. This trend was particularly pronounced among Asian-American voters, who were more likely to support Obama regardless of ethnicity.

The Role of Region in Shaping Voting Patterns

Region was another critical factor in the 2012 election, with voters from different parts of the country tending to support different candidates. According to the data, voters from the Northeast and West Coast were more likely to support Obama, while voters from the South and Midwest supported Romney. This trend was particularly pronounced among white voters, who were more likely to support Romney if they lived in the South or Midwest.

Conclusion

The 2012 US Presidential Election was a complex and multifaceted contest, shaped by a wide range of demographic factors, economic concerns, and social issues. By examining the key statistics from this election, we can gain a deeper understanding of the underlying trends and patterns that influenced the outcome. As we look to the future of American politics, it is clear that the demographics of the 2012 election will continue to play a critical role in shaping the course of national politics.

Table of Statistics

Category	Obama	Romney
Men	42%	52%
Women	55%	44%
18-29	60%	37%
30-44	51%	48%
45-64	49%	50%
65+	45%	53%
College Degree	59%	40%
No College Degree	51%	48%
Income < $50,000	58%	41%
Income $50,000-$100,000	52%	47%
Income > $100,000	46%	53%
Hispanic	71%	28%
White	51%	48%
Asian-American	61%	38%
Northeast	55%	44%
West Coast	58%	41%
South	46%	53%
Midwest	49%	50%

References

Pew Research Center. (2012). 2012 Presidential Election Exit Polls.
Gallup. (2012). 2012 Presidential Election: Obama vs. Romney.
CNN. (2012). 2012 Presidential Election Results.
Frequently Asked Questions: Understanding the 2012 US Presidential Election

The 2012 US Presidential Election was a complex and multifaceted contest, shaped by a wide range of demographic factors, economic concerns, and social issues. As we continue to analyze the key statistics from this election, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you better understand the underlying trends and patterns that influenced the outcome.

Q: What was the overall margin of victory for Barack Obama in the 2012 election?

A: Barack Obama won the 2012 presidential election by a margin of 332 to 206 in the Electoral College, with a total of 51.1% of the popular vote.

Q: What was the demographic breakdown of the 2012 election?

A: The 2012 election saw a significant gap in support between men and women, with men supporting Mitt Romney by a margin of 52% to 42%. Women, on the other hand, supported Barack Obama by a margin of 55% to 44%. The election also saw a significant gap in support between different age groups, with younger voters (18-29) supporting Obama by a margin of 60% to 37%.

Q: What was the impact of education on voting patterns in the 2012 election?

A: Education played a significant role in shaping voting patterns in the 2012 election. Voters with a college degree or higher were more likely to support Barack Obama, with 59% of these voters casting their ballots for the Democratic candidate. In contrast, voters without a college degree were more evenly divided, with 51% supporting Obama and 48% supporting Mitt Romney.

Q: What was the role of income in shaping voting patterns in the 2012 election?

A: Income was another critical factor in the 2012 election, with voters from lower-income backgrounds tending to support Barack Obama and voters from higher-income backgrounds supporting Mitt Romney. According to the data, voters with incomes below $50,000 supported Obama by a margin of 58% to 41%, while voters with incomes above $100,000 supported Romney by a margin of 53% to 46%.

Q: What was the impact of ethnicity on voting patterns in the 2012 election?

A: Ethnicity was another key factor in shaping voting patterns in the 2012 election. According to the data, Hispanic voters were overwhelmingly likely to support Barack Obama, with 71% of these voters casting their ballots for the Democratic candidate. In contrast, white voters were more evenly divided, with 51% supporting Obama and 48% supporting Mitt Romney.

Q: What was the role of region in shaping voting patterns in the 2012 election?

A: Region was another critical factor in the 2012 election, with voters from different parts of the country tending to support different candidates. According to the data, voters from the Northeast and West Coast were more likely to support Barack Obama, while voters from the South and Midwest supported Mitt Romney.

Q: What were the key issues that influenced voting patterns in the 2012 election?

A: The 2012 election was influenced by a wide range of issues, including the economy, healthcare, and social issues. According to the data, voters who prioritized the economy were more likely to support Mitt Romney, while voters who prioritized healthcare were more likely to support Barack Obama.

Q: What were the implications of the 2012 election for American politics?

A: The 2012 election had significant implications for American politics, including the re-election of Barack Obama and the continued dominance of the Democratic Party in the Northeast and West Coast. The election also highlighted the growing divide between different demographic groups, including men and women, and different age groups.

Q: What can we learn from the 2012 election?

A: The 2012 election provides valuable insights into the complex and multifaceted nature of American politics. By examining the key statistics from this election, we can gain a deeper understanding of the underlying trends and patterns that influence voting behavior and shape the course of national politics.

Conclusion

The 2012 US Presidential Election was a complex and multifaceted contest, shaped by a wide range of demographic factors, economic concerns, and social issues. By examining the key statistics from this election, we can gain a deeper understanding of the underlying trends and patterns that influenced the outcome. Whether you're a seasoned political analyst or a curious citizen, this FAQ provides a comprehensive overview of the 2012 election and its implications for American politics.