Trump gains support in highly educated counties in 2024 election

In the 2024 election, Donald Trump gained support in many counties, especially those with highly educated populations. The median shift in these counties was 4.8 percentage points toward Trump, contrasting with Vice President Kamala Harris's struggle to match Joe Biden's 2020 numbers. Nationwide, 85.2% of counties voted for Trump, with a median vote margin shift of 3.2 percentage points to the right. Harris underperformed in three out of four counties compared to Biden, indicating a significant reshaping of the electoral map. Trump's gains were notable in counties with advanced degree holders, where he increased his vote count while Harris lost support. For example, Nassau County, New York, voted Republican for the first time since 1988, reflecting broader trends influenced by economic concerns.