The Perils of Profiling Trump Supporters, Part II

Trump supporters have been portrayed as victims of globalization and the decline of US manufacturing, stuck in low-paid jobs offering little in the way of job security or earning potential.  Angry and desperate, the story goes, they flocked to that champion of the scorned and neglected, Donald J. Trump, who would kick out the corrupt elites, restore  hope, heal  pride, and make America great again.

This narrative rests on the assumption that economic woes go a long way to explaining Trump’s support. Let’s test that assumption.

Compare this map:

2015_Unemployment Rate by US County

…with this map:

2016 Presidential Election Results by County

It looks to me that much of Trump Country – the dark red areas – has been enjoying low unemployment rates in the recent past.  Thus, whatever the economic woes afflicting Trump supporters, trouble finding work doesn’t appear to have been a significant factor in their decision to vote for the man.

Next: job security, work satisfaction, and inequality in Trump Country.

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