Most Liberal States 2021 – World Population Review
Blue states are states that have a more liberal population and culture, as opposed to the conservative red states. While there are many more red states than blue states, the blue states tend to have much higher populations, so they have higher numbers in indexes like the electoral college and the number of congressional representatives.
There are also neutral states, usually referred to as swing states because these states could go either Democratic or Republican in an election. Candidates typically do most of their campaigning in the swing states, including Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Colorado, Nevada, and Florida.
The most liberal state in the country is Massachusetts, where the equally progressive city of Boston is located. Next is Hawaii, followed by Vermont, Washington, New York, New Hampshire, California, Maryland, New Jersey, and Maine. This index of how liberal a state is is based on how many liberals there are compared to conservatives.
Just like some states can be more liberal than others, some cities are more liberal than others. These cities tend to have high minority populations and public expressions of LGBTQ+ acceptance. The most liberal city is San Francisco, California, followed by Washington, DC; Seattle, Washington; Oakland, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Detroit, Michigan; New York City, New York; Buffalo, New York; and Baltimore, Maryland. Notice that all of these cities are in blue states.
States can change from liberal to conservative over time due to factors like immigration, empowerment of minority groups (which tend to support liberal policies over conservative ones), and taxation. New York, for example, used to be highly conservative but is now much more progressive.
Below are the ten most liberal states in the United States. The data is based on a 2018 Gallup pull.
Massachusetts is the most liberal state in the U.S., with 35% of voters identifying as liberal. With 21% of voters identifying as conservative, Massachusetts has a liberal advantage of 14 points. Moderates are the largest group in Massachusetts, with 38% of the voting population identifying as moderate. In the 2016 presidential election, 60% of voters voted Democratic.
Massachusetts is also the home state of well-known politicians such as Elizabeth Warren, Michael Dukakis, Jill Stein, and the Kennedys. That state also has many urban areas and a highly educated population two factors that strongly contribute to a liberal environment.
Maine is the second-most liberal state in the country. 33% of voters identify as liberal; however, the liberal advantage is -2 because 35% of voters identify as conservative. In the 2016 presidential election, 47.9% of Maine voted Democratic, while 44.9% voted Republican. Maine is one of the few states where moderates do not outnumber liberals or conservatives, with 29% of voters identifying as moderate.
Vermont is the third-most liberal state in the country, with 32% of voters identifying as liberal. With 28% of voters identifying as conservative, Vermont has a liberal advantage of 4 points, the third-highest country. 56.3% of Vermont voters voted Democratic in the 2016 election, while 30.3% voted Republican. In 2012, Barack Obama won Vermont by 35.6 percentage points.
Vermont is the home of Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist with very leftists views who ran for president unsuccessfully in 2016 and is running again in 2020. He received 71% of the vote in Vermont in 2016.
With 31% of voters identifying as liberal, Washington is the fourth-most liberal state in the United States. 28% of voters identify as conservative, giving Washington a liberal advantage of 3 points. Moderates have the largest percentage of voters, with 37%. In the 2016 presidential election, 52.5% of voters voted Democratic.
New York is the fifth-most liberal state in the U.S. 30% of voters identify as liberal in New York versus 27% who identify as conservative, giving New York a 3-point liberal advantage. New York is geographically split, a majority of upstate areas vote conservative, and the larger metro areas vote liberal. In the 2016 presidential election, 59% of voters voted Democratic.
New Hampshire is the sixth-most liberal state in a tie with New York at 30%. New Hampshire is 28% conservative, giving it a slightly less liberal advantage than New York of 2 points. In the 2016 presidential election, 46.8% of voters voted Democratic, only a 0.3% lead over those who voted Republican (46.5%).
California is the seventh-most liberal state in the United States. 29% of voters identify as liberal, and 29% identify as conservative, giving California a liberal advantage of zero points. 36% of voters in California identify as moderate. As the state with the most electoral votes, Californias vote is a big deal in elections. In the 2016 presidential elections, 61.5% of voters voted Democratic, a 30% lead over the Republican vote.
Oregon is the eighth-most liberal state in the country, with 28% of voters identifying as liberal. Oregon has a liberal advantage of -4 points due to 32% of voters identifying as conservative; however, 35% of voters identify as moderate. In the 2016 presidential election, 50.1% of voters voted Democratic while 39.1% voted Republican. The most Democratic areas of the state were around Eugene and Portland.
In a tie with Oregon is Maryland, which also has 28% of voters identifying as liberal. Maryland voters are 29% conservative, giving the state a -1 point liberal advantage. The largest group of voters is moderate, at 39%. Most of Marylands liberal base is in the Washington D.C. metro area and Baltimore. In the 2016 presidential election, 60.3% of voters voted Democratic.
Maryland legalized gay marriage, pushed for major gun restrictions, and imposed tax increases, among other progressive policies.
Hawaii is tied with both Maryland and Oregon has the eighth-most liberal state in the United States. 28% of voters in Hawaii identify as liberal, and 22% identify as conservative, giving Hawaii a liberal advantage of 6 points, the second-highest in the country. Moderates are the largest group in Hawaii, with 45% of voters identify as moderate, which is also the largest percentage of any state in the country. In 2016, 62.2% of Hawaii voters voted Democratic in the presidential election.
The top ten most liberal urban areas in the United States, starting with the most liberal city in America, include the following:
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Most Liberal States 2021 - World Population Review
- Liberals Gain Seat on Wisconsin Supreme Court, Adding to Firewall in Voting Cases - boltsmag.org - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Liberals Add to Edge on Top Wisconsin Court With Taylor Win (1) - Bloomberg Government News - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Liberals will try to expand their majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in a Tuesday election - channel3000.com - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Liberals expand majority in Wisconsin Supreme Court: 3 key takeaways from Tuesday's election night results - New York Post - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- The Liberals add another floor crosser. What does that mean for the parliamentary math? - iPolitics - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Davis: Thats Why Liberals Always Lose Is a Cop-Out - The Dartmouth - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu crosses floor to Liberals - The Globe and Mail - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Liberals will try to expand their majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in a Tuesday election - Madison365 - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Liberals will try to expand their majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in a Tuesday election - WQOW - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Sarnia MP crosses the floor, federal Liberals now 1 short of majority government - CityNews Toronto - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- We are fighting to win in Terrebonne, Liberals say, as government eyes majority - Toronto Star - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- We need a global leader and that is Carney: Marilyn Gladu says after crossing floor to Liberals - CTV News - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- 'We are fighting to win' in Terrebonne, Liberals say, as government eyes majority - CTV News - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Liberals ahead of Conservatives by 15 points as Canadians increasingly focus on jobs/the economy. (Nanos) - Nanos Research - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu crosses the floor to the Liberals - nationalpost.com - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- 'We are fighting to win' in Terrebonne, Liberals say, as government eyes majority - Winnipeg Sun - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- The need is there: Liberals ask why N.L. government ended Labrador Air Access pilot program - cbc.ca - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Another Conservative MP joins the Carney Liberals - iPolitics - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu crosses the floor to the Liberals - CTV News - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu crosses the floor to the Liberals - CP24 - April 8th, 2026 [April 8th, 2026]
- Liberals set to descend on Montreal to debate policy, talk campaign tactics ahead of high-stakes byelections - iPolitics - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- After next Mondays by-elections, do you believe the federal Liberals will have a majority government? - CFJC Today Kamloops - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Donald Trump Aides Slam 'Deranged Liberals' For Making Up Rumor That The President Was Hospitalized This Weekend: 'Insane Conspiracy Theories' -... - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Release the virtual care contracts: PC health critic to Liberals - Telegraph-Journal - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Toronto ridings could give federal Liberals a majority in byelection - CityNews Toronto - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Toronto byelections: Doly Begum on her decision to leave the NDP for Liberals - CityNews Toronto - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Liberals Will Ignore Trump Rescuing Downed Pilots - AM 870 The ANSWER - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- The Tories should beware the fate of Lloyd Georges Liberals - The Spectator Australia - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Up to 10 MPs in Talks to Cross Floor to Liberals, Bolstering Carneys Majority Push - thedeepdive.ca - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Liberals doomed at Victorian election if they try to become One Nation-lite, warns party boss - The Age - April 7th, 2026 [April 7th, 2026]
- Commentary: The LDS Church needs to keep its liberals in the fold for their sake and the faiths - The Salt Lake Tribune - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- The Liberals need to show their defence math - The Globe and Mail - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Why Mark Carneys Canadian liberals are going to war with the Bible - The Telegraph - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Liberals Likely To Expand Majority on Wisconsin Supreme Court, a Bellwether for November - The New York Sun - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- David Coletto: When we feel the world is unstable, we dont want to take any chances. Heres why thats good for the Liberals in three upcoming... - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Liberals and Their Didi Inside the Moral Collapse of Indias Secular Elite - HinduPost - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Rahm Emanuel tests 2028 run, vows to fight Trumps MAGA but also weak and woke liberals - Washington Times - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Secret health scare of conservative SCOTUS justice exposed as liberals fear Trump's court shake-up - MSN - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- New poll shows gap between Fords PCs and Liberals closer than ever - CityNews Toronto - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- Liberals catch up to PQ in voting intentions, according to a new Lger poll - CityNews Montreal - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- When Bharat speaks, Left-liberals cry propaganda: Decoding the Dhurandhar debate - Firstpost - April 5th, 2026 [April 5th, 2026]
- How Tucker Carlsons Bizarre Gear Became the Hottest Fashion Trend for Liberals - Slate - April 1st, 2026 [April 1st, 2026]
- John Weissenberger: Liberals have perfected the practice of announcing things they will never do - National Post - April 1st, 2026 [April 1st, 2026]
- Victorian Liberals to hold another preselection after candidate who defeated Moira Deeming withdraws - The Guardian - April 1st, 2026 [April 1st, 2026]
- Michael Higgins: What have the Liberals, and the CBC, got against women? - National Post - April 1st, 2026 [April 1st, 2026]
- Government says it will not prorogue Parliament if Liberals sweep April 13 by-elections - The Globe and Mail - April 1st, 2026 [April 1st, 2026]
- GOLDSTEIN: Liberals' kid gloves treatment of China is nothing new - Toronto Sun - April 1st, 2026 [April 1st, 2026]
- Angus Taylor rebukes Andrew Hastie for call for Liberals to be open-minded on tax rises and property concessions - The Guardian - April 1st, 2026 [April 1st, 2026]
- Liberals majority on the line in Toronto by-elections, heres how to vote early - NOW Toronto - April 1st, 2026 [April 1st, 2026]
- Liberals Vote Against Four Conservative Tough-on-Crime Bills - Prince Albert Daily Herald - April 1st, 2026 [April 1st, 2026]
- Michael Higgins: What have the Liberals, and the CBC, got against women? - Yahoo News Canada - April 1st, 2026 [April 1st, 2026]
- 10 Things White Liberals Can Do Now That Another No Kings Protest Is Over - drstaceypatton1865.substack.com - April 1st, 2026 [April 1st, 2026]
- Deery: Dumping Deeming will not fix the Liberals, it will tear them apart - heraldsun.com.au - April 1st, 2026 [April 1st, 2026]
- How are the Quebec Liberals gaining ground in the polls? - CTV News - April 1st, 2026 [April 1st, 2026]
- The Liberals path back: What Wilson and Sloane must do now - AFR - April 1st, 2026 [April 1st, 2026]
- Credlin, controversy, court cases: The strange saga of Moira Deeming and the Victorian Liberals - Crikey - April 1st, 2026 [April 1st, 2026]
- Campbell: Liberals could win in November, thats why they need Deeming - heraldsun.com.au - April 1st, 2026 [April 1st, 2026]
- Liberals' fiscal watchdog nominee vows to hold government's 'feet to the fire' - CBC - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- For the good of the country, Liberals and Conservatives must work together - University of Calgary - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- Slovenias ruling liberals win slim lead over conservatives - TVP World - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- Pauline Hanson wants to work with Liberals and Nationals to defeat Labor but rules out official coalition - The Guardian - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- Liberals, NDP defeat Tory bill on parole reform at second reading - Western Standard - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- The Liberals SA implosion could happen on the federal level - The New Daily - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- In South Australia One Nation surges and the Liberals slide but the shake-up has limits - Pearls and Irritations - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- For the Liberals, the SA election will be both an end and a beginning - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- Canadas Liberals closer to a majority government after another opposition defection - AP News - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Byelections could tip Liberals to a majority will it matter in dealing with Trump? - National Post - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court justice is retiring, giving liberals chance to expand majority - Yahoo - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Canada's Liberals closer to a majority government after another opposition defection - abcnews.com - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court justice is retiring, giving liberals chance to expand majority - AP News - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- NDP MP Lori Idlout switches allegiance to the Liberals, inching Carney nearer to a majority. - stl.news - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Hundreds of Muslim organizations tell Liberals they oppose anti-hate bill - National Post - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- NDP MP Lori Idlout to cross the floor to Liberals - Toronto Star - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Liberals, Bloc force Bill C-9 Combating Hate Act through objections to removal of religious text defence continue - Catholic Saskatoon News - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Canada's Liberals closer to a majority government after another opposition defection - guardonline.com - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- New Spark poll has the Liberals opening big lead over the Conservatives, making up ground in Alberta and Saskatchewan - iPolitics - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- The National | NDP MP joining Liberals - CBC - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- In the news: Nunavut MP Idlout join Liberals, Carney edges closer to majority - Penticton Herald - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- How a byelection in Quebec could help the Liberals win a majority government - CBC - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Rebuilding the Young Liberals of Canada: Why its time for a Renaissance - iPolitics - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]