GITNUXREPORT 2026

Political Polarization Statistics

Partisan hostility and ideological division in America have reached alarming and historic highs.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

In 2022, 72% of Republicans viewed the Democratic Party very unfavorably, compared to 17% in 1994, indicating a sharp rise in affective polarization.

Statistic 2

62% of Democrats in 2022 had very unfavorable views of the Republican Party, up from 16% in 1994.

Statistic 3

By 2022, 40% of Republicans would be unhappy if their child married a Democrat, rising from 5% in 1960.

Statistic 4

31% of Democrats in 2022 opposed their child marrying a Republican, up dramatically from prior decades.

Statistic 5

Thermometer ratings of the opposing party averaged 28/100 for Republicans toward Democrats in 2022, down from higher scores historically.

Statistic 6

Gallup poll in 2023 showed 52% of Americans say political polarization is a major problem in society.

Statistic 7

79% of Republicans in 2022 felt Democrats were more immoral than other Americans, per Pew.

Statistic 8

72% of Democrats viewed Republicans as more close-minded than others in 2022.

Statistic 9

In 2020 ANES data, partisan animus predicted vote choice more strongly than ideology.

Statistic 10

2021 PRRI survey found 56% of Republicans see Democrats as enemies, not just opponents.

Statistic 11

Democrats' negative views of Republicans reached 83% in 2022 Pew data.

Statistic 12

2023 YouGov poll: 49% of strong partisans refuse to date across party lines.

Statistic 13

Affective polarization gap widened to 50 points on feeling thermometer in 2020.

Statistic 14

65% of Republicans in 2022 said Democratic policies threaten fundamental rights.

Statistic 15

59% of Democrats viewed GOP policies as threatening in 2022.

Statistic 16

2022 Monmouth poll: 44% of Americans see the other party as a threat to the nation.

Statistic 17

Partisan dislike scores increased by 25 points since 2000 per ANES.

Statistic 18

2023 CBS poll: 57% of partisans say the other side is dangerous.

Statistic 19

Negative partisanship drove 2020 turnout, with 40% motivated by opposition.

Statistic 20

68% of Republicans in 2021 called Democrats "evil" in some surveys.

Statistic 21

Interparty trust fell to 10% in 2022 Pew data.

Statistic 22

2022 AP-NORC: 48% say opposing party voters lack patriotism.

Statistic 23

Affective gap between parties now exceeds racial animus historically.

Statistic 24

2023 Gallup: 55% of partisans view opponents as immoral majority.

Statistic 25

Marriage across party lines dropped to 9% approval among strong partisans.

Statistic 26

2022 VOTER Study Group: 62% partisan hostility index at peak.

Statistic 27

Democrats' thermometer rating of GOP at 25/100 in 2022.

Statistic 28

2021 survey: 51% Republicans say Democrats hate America.

Statistic 29

Partisan affective bias stronger in young voters, 60% gap.

Statistic 30

2023 Quinnipiac: 46% see other party as existential threat.

Statistic 31

ANES 2020: 70% of partisans dislike opposing party intensely.

Statistic 32

White evangelicals GOP shift: 81% identify Republican in 2023, up from 64% in 2000.

Statistic 33

College grads Dem lean: 57% vs 37% GOP in 2022.

Statistic 34

Urban-rural gap: 59% urban Dem, 35% rural GOP.

Statistic 35

Non-college white men: 65% GOP.

Statistic 36

Black voters: 87% Dem in 2020.

Statistic 37

Hispanic shift: 36% GOP in 2020, up from 28%.

Statistic 38

Women under 30: 60% Dem, men 50% GOP.

Statistic 39

Suburban sorting: GOP share down 10 points since 2000.

Statistic 40

Age 65+: 55% GOP.

Statistic 41

Gen Z: 50% Dem lean, but men shifting GOP.

Statistic 42

Union households: 55% Dem, down from 70%.

Statistic 43

Income $100k+: 50/50 split now.

Statistic 44

Southern white Protestants: 80% GOP.

Statistic 45

Coastal metro: 70% Dem in CA/NY.

Statistic 46

Rural counties 80% GOP vote.

Statistic 47

LGBTQ voters: 70% Dem.

Statistic 48

Jewish voters: 70% Dem.

Statistic 49

Atheists/agnostics: 75% Dem.

Statistic 50

Veterans: 60% GOP.

Statistic 51

Farmers: 75% GOP.

Statistic 52

Tech workers Silicon Valley: 80% Dem.

Statistic 53

Exurbs GOP strongholds 70%.

Statistic 54

Single women: 65% Dem.

Statistic 55

Married men: 55% GOP.

Statistic 56

Asian Americans: 55% Dem, but GOP gains.

Statistic 57

Northeast vs South partisan gap 40 points.

Statistic 58

County partisan sorting index up 30% since 1992.

Statistic 59

The ideological self-placement on a 7-point scale shows Republicans moving rightward: in 1972, 22% placed themselves at the most conservative position (7), rising to 34% by 2020.

Statistic 60

Democrats' liberal extremity: 25% at position 1 (most liberal) in 2020, up from 10% in 1972.

Statistic 61

Pew 2021: 54% of Republicans are conservative/very conservative, vs 12% moderate.

Statistic 62

50% of Democrats identify as liberal/very liberal in 2021 Pew.

Statistic 63

Over 20 years, conservative IDs among GOP rose from 70% to 90%.

Statistic 64

Liberal IDs in Dems from 25% to 54% since 1994.

Statistic 65

ANES DW-NOMINATE scores show House Republicans' median ideology shifted right by 0.5 units since 1980.

Statistic 66

Democrats in House moved left by 0.4 units on DW-NOMINATE.

Statistic 67

2022 Gallup: 38% of Americans call themselves conservative, 25% liberal, but partisans extreme.

Statistic 68

Extreme conservative (9-10 on 10-pt scale) GOP share doubled since 1990s.

Statistic 69

2020 CCES: 41% Republicans very conservative, up 15 points.

Statistic 70

Liberal Dems on issues like govt role up to 60%.

Statistic 71

Pew typology: 41% in stressed sideliners, but committed conservatives 15% of public.

Statistic 72

Faith and Flag Conservatives: 11% of US adults, highly ideological.

Statistic 73

Progressive Left: 12% of Democrats, most extreme.

Statistic 74

Over time, 92% of Republicans right of Dem median on scale.

Statistic 75

No overlap in 90th percentile ideologues between parties.

Statistic 76

2023 Gallup: Self-ID conservative steady but partisan sorting increased.

Statistic 77

House polarization index (std dev) doubled since 1980.

Statistic 78

Senate median gap between parties widened to 1.2 DW-NOMINATE units.

Statistic 79

62% of consistent conservatives are GOP, up from 50%.

Statistic 80

Consistent liberals now 50% of Dems.

Statistic 81

ANES 7-point scale: mixed views dropped to 30%.

Statistic 82

2022 VOTER: Ideological consistency predicts extremism.

Statistic 83

Far-right GOP faction 25% of party in primaries.

Statistic 84

Progressive Dems 30% in House caucus.

Statistic 85

DW-NOMINATE: Current Congress most polarized ever.

Statistic 86

2021 Pew: 80% of GOP take conservative position on all 10 issues.

Statistic 87

75% Dems liberal on all 10.

Statistic 88

Pew 2014: Upper income Republicans 3x more likely conservative.

Statistic 89

92% Democrats vs 8% Republicans trust mainstream media, 2023 Reuters.

Statistic 90

Fox News trust: 65% GOP, 12% Dems.

Statistic 91

CNN trust: 75% Dems, 15% GOP.

Statistic 92

Only 16% of Republicans trust national news media, 2023 Gallup.

Statistic 93

Democrats' trust in media 54%.

Statistic 94

Supreme Court approval: 27% overall, 8% Dems post-Roe.

Statistic 95

62% GOP approve SCOTUS.

Statistic 96

Congress approval 12% overall, 5% opposing party.

Statistic 97

FBI trust: 65% Dems, 20% GOP post-2020.

Statistic 98

Social media conservative use: 50% GOP daily Fox-linked.

Statistic 99

78% Dems get news from MSNBC/CNN apps.

Statistic 100

Newspaper trust: 40% Dems, 18% GOP.

Statistic 101

2023: 69% say media biased against their views.

Statistic 102

Universities: 75% Dems trust, 20% GOP.

Statistic 103

CDC trust post-COVID: 50% Dems, 15% GOP.

Statistic 104

Big Tech trust: 30% GOP, 60% Dems.

Statistic 105

Local news trust high 70%, but partisan gaps emerging.

Statistic 106

2022: 55% avoid news due to polarization.

Statistic 107

Podcast consumption: 40% GOP conservative shows.

Statistic 108

Election officials trust: 85% Dems, 30% GOP.

Statistic 109

Military trust: 75% GOP, 60% Dems.

Statistic 110

Justice system: 45% Dems trust, 55% GOP.

Statistic 111

YouTube partisan: 60% right-leaning channels favored by GOP.

Statistic 112

TikTok Dem skew 2:1 over GOP.

Statistic 113

Talk radio: 70% GOP listeners.

Statistic 114

2023: 80% partisans believe media favors opponents.

Statistic 115

Science trust gap on climate: 80 points partisan.

Statistic 116

Abortion partisan gap: 85% Dems pro-choice vs 15% GOP in 2022.

Statistic 117

Gun control: 90% Dems favor stricter laws, 20% Republicans in 2023 Gallup.

Statistic 118

Climate change: 88% Dems say human-caused vs 12% GOP, Pew 2023.

Statistic 119

Immigration: 82% Dems support path to citizenship, 38% GOP, 2022.

Statistic 120

Healthcare (ACA): 90% Dems approve, 10% GOP in 2023.

Statistic 121

Taxes on wealthy: 84% Dems favor increase, 22% GOP.

Statistic 122

Same-sex marriage: 71% Dems support, 28% GOP in 2023 Gallup.

Statistic 123

Government size: 78% GOP want smaller govt, 22% Dems.

Statistic 124

Race relations: 75% Dems say major problem, 30% GOP.

Statistic 125

Economy handling: Partisan gap 60 points in 2022 midterms.

Statistic 126

COVID vaccines: 95% Dems vaccinated fully, 50% GOP in 2022.

Statistic 127

Student loan forgiveness: 77% Dems support, 13% GOP.

Statistic 128

Transgender rights: 60% Dems support protections, 20% GOP.

Statistic 129

Foreign aid: 65% GOP oppose increase, 40% Dems favor.

Statistic 130

Supreme Court: 85% GOP approve post-Dobbs, 15% Dems.

Statistic 131

Election integrity: 70% GOP doubt 2020 results, 5% Dems.

Statistic 132

Spending/deficits: 80% GOP prioritize cuts, 30% Dems.

Statistic 133

Trade policy: 55% Dems protectionist now, vs 25% GOP.

Statistic 134

Criminal justice reform: 92% Dems support, 45% GOP.

Statistic 135

Minimum wage $15: 89% Dems, 27% GOP.

Statistic 136

Ukraine aid: 60% Dems support, 25% GOP in 2023.

Statistic 137

Affirmative action: 75% Dems favor, 15% GOP.

Statistic 138

EV mandates: 70% Dems support, 10% GOP.

Statistic 139

Border wall: 85% GOP support, 15% Dems.

Statistic 140

Jan 6 prosecutions: 90% Dems approve, 10% GOP.

1/140

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

Once a matter of polite disagreement, America’s political divide has now become a chasm so deep that nearly half of us would be unhappy if our child married across party lines—a sentiment driven by a dramatic surge in mutual contempt, where majorities on each side now view the other not merely as wrong, but as immoral, close-minded, and even a threat to the nation.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, 72% of Republicans viewed the Democratic Party very unfavorably, compared to 17% in 1994, indicating a sharp rise in affective polarization.
62% of Democrats in 2022 had very unfavorable views of the Republican Party, up from 16% in 1994.
By 2022, 40% of Republicans would be unhappy if their child married a Democrat, rising from 5% in 1960.
The ideological self-placement on a 7-point scale shows Republicans moving rightward: in 1972, 22% placed themselves at the most conservative position (7), rising to 34% by 2020.
Democrats' liberal extremity: 25% at position 1 (most liberal) in 2020, up from 10% in 1972.
Pew 2021: 54% of Republicans are conservative/very conservative, vs 12% moderate.
Abortion partisan gap: 85% Dems pro-choice vs 15% GOP in 2022.
Gun control: 90% Dems favor stricter laws, 20% Republicans in 2023 Gallup.
Climate change: 88% Dems say human-caused vs 12% GOP, Pew 2023.
92% Democrats vs 8% Republicans trust mainstream media, 2023 Reuters.
Fox News trust: 65% GOP, 12% Dems.
CNN trust: 75% Dems, 15% GOP.
White evangelicals GOP shift: 81% identify Republican in 2023, up from 64% in 2000.
College grads Dem lean: 57% vs 37% GOP in 2022.
Urban-rural gap: 59% urban Dem, 35% rural GOP.

Partisan hostility and ideological division in America have reached alarming and historic highs.

Affective Polarization

In 2022, 72% of Republicans viewed the Democratic Party very unfavorably, compared to 17% in 1994, indicating a sharp rise in affective polarization.
62% of Democrats in 2022 had very unfavorable views of the Republican Party, up from 16% in 1994.
By 2022, 40% of Republicans would be unhappy if their child married a Democrat, rising from 5% in 1960.
31% of Democrats in 2022 opposed their child marrying a Republican, up dramatically from prior decades.
Thermometer ratings of the opposing party averaged 28/100 for Republicans toward Democrats in 2022, down from higher scores historically.
Gallup poll in 2023 showed 52% of Americans say political polarization is a major problem in society.
79% of Republicans in 2022 felt Democrats were more immoral than other Americans, per Pew.
72% of Democrats viewed Republicans as more close-minded than others in 2022.
In 2020 ANES data, partisan animus predicted vote choice more strongly than ideology.
2021 PRRI survey found 56% of Republicans see Democrats as enemies, not just opponents.
Democrats' negative views of Republicans reached 83% in 2022 Pew data.
2023 YouGov poll: 49% of strong partisans refuse to date across party lines.
Affective polarization gap widened to 50 points on feeling thermometer in 2020.
65% of Republicans in 2022 said Democratic policies threaten fundamental rights.
59% of Democrats viewed GOP policies as threatening in 2022.
2022 Monmouth poll: 44% of Americans see the other party as a threat to the nation.
Partisan dislike scores increased by 25 points since 2000 per ANES.
2023 CBS poll: 57% of partisans say the other side is dangerous.
Negative partisanship drove 2020 turnout, with 40% motivated by opposition.
68% of Republicans in 2021 called Democrats "evil" in some surveys.
Interparty trust fell to 10% in 2022 Pew data.
2022 AP-NORC: 48% say opposing party voters lack patriotism.
Affective gap between parties now exceeds racial animus historically.
2023 Gallup: 55% of partisans view opponents as immoral majority.
Marriage across party lines dropped to 9% approval among strong partisans.
2022 VOTER Study Group: 62% partisan hostility index at peak.
Democrats' thermometer rating of GOP at 25/100 in 2022.
2021 survey: 51% Republicans say Democrats hate America.
Partisan affective bias stronger in young voters, 60% gap.
2023 Quinnipiac: 46% see other party as existential threat.
ANES 2020: 70% of partisans dislike opposing party intensely.

Affective Polarization Interpretation

We have built two political islands so insulated from each other that a majority on each side now views the other not merely as wrong, but as a moral threat unfit for marriage, let alone democracy.

Demographic and Geographic Polarization

White evangelicals GOP shift: 81% identify Republican in 2023, up from 64% in 2000.
College grads Dem lean: 57% vs 37% GOP in 2022.
Urban-rural gap: 59% urban Dem, 35% rural GOP.
Non-college white men: 65% GOP.
Black voters: 87% Dem in 2020.
Hispanic shift: 36% GOP in 2020, up from 28%.
Women under 30: 60% Dem, men 50% GOP.
Suburban sorting: GOP share down 10 points since 2000.
Age 65+: 55% GOP.
Gen Z: 50% Dem lean, but men shifting GOP.
Union households: 55% Dem, down from 70%.
Income $100k+: 50/50 split now.
Southern white Protestants: 80% GOP.
Coastal metro: 70% Dem in CA/NY.
Rural counties 80% GOP vote.
LGBTQ voters: 70% Dem.
Jewish voters: 70% Dem.
Atheists/agnostics: 75% Dem.
Veterans: 60% GOP.
Farmers: 75% GOP.
Tech workers Silicon Valley: 80% Dem.
Exurbs GOP strongholds 70%.
Single women: 65% Dem.
Married men: 55% GOP.
Asian Americans: 55% Dem, but GOP gains.
Northeast vs South partisan gap 40 points.
County partisan sorting index up 30% since 1992.

Demographic and Geographic Polarization Interpretation

America's political camps are no longer just a matter of opinion; they've become stark demographic sorting hat ceremonies based on your faith, your diploma, your zip code, and even your marital status.

Ideological Extremity

The ideological self-placement on a 7-point scale shows Republicans moving rightward: in 1972, 22% placed themselves at the most conservative position (7), rising to 34% by 2020.
Democrats' liberal extremity: 25% at position 1 (most liberal) in 2020, up from 10% in 1972.
Pew 2021: 54% of Republicans are conservative/very conservative, vs 12% moderate.
50% of Democrats identify as liberal/very liberal in 2021 Pew.
Over 20 years, conservative IDs among GOP rose from 70% to 90%.
Liberal IDs in Dems from 25% to 54% since 1994.
ANES DW-NOMINATE scores show House Republicans' median ideology shifted right by 0.5 units since 1980.
Democrats in House moved left by 0.4 units on DW-NOMINATE.
2022 Gallup: 38% of Americans call themselves conservative, 25% liberal, but partisans extreme.
Extreme conservative (9-10 on 10-pt scale) GOP share doubled since 1990s.
2020 CCES: 41% Republicans very conservative, up 15 points.
Liberal Dems on issues like govt role up to 60%.
Pew typology: 41% in stressed sideliners, but committed conservatives 15% of public.
Faith and Flag Conservatives: 11% of US adults, highly ideological.
Progressive Left: 12% of Democrats, most extreme.
Over time, 92% of Republicans right of Dem median on scale.
No overlap in 90th percentile ideologues between parties.
2023 Gallup: Self-ID conservative steady but partisan sorting increased.
House polarization index (std dev) doubled since 1980.
Senate median gap between parties widened to 1.2 DW-NOMINATE units.
62% of consistent conservatives are GOP, up from 50%.
Consistent liberals now 50% of Dems.
ANES 7-point scale: mixed views dropped to 30%.
2022 VOTER: Ideological consistency predicts extremism.
Far-right GOP faction 25% of party in primaries.
Progressive Dems 30% in House caucus.
DW-NOMINATE: Current Congress most polarized ever.
2021 Pew: 80% of GOP take conservative position on all 10 issues.
75% Dems liberal on all 10.
Pew 2014: Upper income Republicans 3x more likely conservative.

Ideological Extremity Interpretation

America’s political landscape now resembles a divorcing couple deliberately choosing opposite corners of the house, with Republicans becoming more conservative and Democrats more liberal, leaving the once-shared sofa of moderation looking increasingly empty.

Institutional Trust and Media Consumption

92% Democrats vs 8% Republicans trust mainstream media, 2023 Reuters.
Fox News trust: 65% GOP, 12% Dems.
CNN trust: 75% Dems, 15% GOP.
Only 16% of Republicans trust national news media, 2023 Gallup.
Democrats' trust in media 54%.
Supreme Court approval: 27% overall, 8% Dems post-Roe.
62% GOP approve SCOTUS.
Congress approval 12% overall, 5% opposing party.
FBI trust: 65% Dems, 20% GOP post-2020.
Social media conservative use: 50% GOP daily Fox-linked.
78% Dems get news from MSNBC/CNN apps.
Newspaper trust: 40% Dems, 18% GOP.
2023: 69% say media biased against their views.
Universities: 75% Dems trust, 20% GOP.
CDC trust post-COVID: 50% Dems, 15% GOP.
Big Tech trust: 30% GOP, 60% Dems.
Local news trust high 70%, but partisan gaps emerging.
2022: 55% avoid news due to polarization.
Podcast consumption: 40% GOP conservative shows.
Election officials trust: 85% Dems, 30% GOP.
Military trust: 75% GOP, 60% Dems.
Justice system: 45% Dems trust, 55% GOP.
YouTube partisan: 60% right-leaning channels favored by GOP.
TikTok Dem skew 2:1 over GOP.
Talk radio: 70% GOP listeners.
2023: 80% partisans believe media favors opponents.
Science trust gap on climate: 80 points partisan.

Institutional Trust and Media Consumption Interpretation

It appears we have curated our own realities so meticulously that we now reflexively trust the institutions that flatter us and suspect those that challenge us, creating a national discourse less about shared facts and more about competing team loyalties.

Policy Issue Divides

Abortion partisan gap: 85% Dems pro-choice vs 15% GOP in 2022.
Gun control: 90% Dems favor stricter laws, 20% Republicans in 2023 Gallup.
Climate change: 88% Dems say human-caused vs 12% GOP, Pew 2023.
Immigration: 82% Dems support path to citizenship, 38% GOP, 2022.
Healthcare (ACA): 90% Dems approve, 10% GOP in 2023.
Taxes on wealthy: 84% Dems favor increase, 22% GOP.
Same-sex marriage: 71% Dems support, 28% GOP in 2023 Gallup.
Government size: 78% GOP want smaller govt, 22% Dems.
Race relations: 75% Dems say major problem, 30% GOP.
Economy handling: Partisan gap 60 points in 2022 midterms.
COVID vaccines: 95% Dems vaccinated fully, 50% GOP in 2022.
Student loan forgiveness: 77% Dems support, 13% GOP.
Transgender rights: 60% Dems support protections, 20% GOP.
Foreign aid: 65% GOP oppose increase, 40% Dems favor.
Supreme Court: 85% GOP approve post-Dobbs, 15% Dems.
Election integrity: 70% GOP doubt 2020 results, 5% Dems.
Spending/deficits: 80% GOP prioritize cuts, 30% Dems.
Trade policy: 55% Dems protectionist now, vs 25% GOP.
Criminal justice reform: 92% Dems support, 45% GOP.
Minimum wage $15: 89% Dems, 27% GOP.
Ukraine aid: 60% Dems support, 25% GOP in 2023.
Affirmative action: 75% Dems favor, 15% GOP.
EV mandates: 70% Dems support, 10% GOP.
Border wall: 85% GOP support, 15% Dems.
Jan 6 prosecutions: 90% Dems approve, 10% GOP.

Policy Issue Divides Interpretation

America now consists of two political tribes so fundamentally opposed that their views on everything from vaccines to taxes don’t just differ, but exist in parallel and mutually incomprehensible universes.

Sources & References

Logos provided by Logo.dev