Knowledgeable North Carolinians: I have a question about Yadkin County

[bluestateguy]

Why is it so Republican? And why for so long? Looking back at old election returns from Dave Leip's election website: http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ I found that Yadkin County has been Republican since the Civil War. They voted for W.M. Taft in 1912, even when he came in third nationwide; they never voted for FDR either.

I'm assuming this county was loyal to the Union during the Civil War, but what was so unique about this county that it chose to be pro-Union? What are it's distinguishing historical characteristics?

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. Isolation mostly, I would guess

[wageslave71]

2. It's very rural

and mostly undeveloped. I'm not familiar with Yadkin in particular, but I would guess they are overwhelmingly anti-abortion, anti-gay, and pro-gun. Like most rural areas of the state these issues trump any others. That would explain the most recent GOP leanings. I am aware of a pretty large number of Hispanics in Yadkin, mostly due to the agricultural work there and low cost of living (my guesses).

[moose65]

3. I agree

I grew up in Wilkes, which is one county over from Yadkin. I've got lots of relatives who live in Yadkin. It is rural, agricultural, and (sad to say) mostly backward, but there are signs of change. In the last few years the area has become the location of a number of vineyards, and attitudes about alcohol have changed a lot. Yadkin used to be one of the few "dry" counties remaining in NC, but no more. Yadkinville recently approved mixed drink sales as well as beer and wine. Also, the county is becoming a suburb of Winston-Salem, which is just across the river in Forsyth County. The influx of new residents from urban areas in Forsyth will change the demographics some. Large Hispanic population due to agriculture, but this has always been the case. Even when I was growing up 30 years ago, Yadkin had large numbers of migrant workers who worked in the tobacco fields.

[MedleyMisty]

4. I grew up in Surry County

Which is right next to it. Our electric company was named Surry-Yadkin.

I really don't know about the history, but currently I'd say it's probably because it's not the richest area. Like I know the two richest kids in my high school would be nothing compared to most DU posters - although I did find online that the rich girl's parents had each donated $2,000 to Bush.

Most all our parents worked in mills. Then the mills went to Mexico. A lot of people were really angry about NAFTA.

But the wine thing does seem to be sort of revitalizing the economy. Mount Airy has really grown since I left and came to Charlotte.

So I think basically it's being poor and ignorant and white. And you can't blame or hate people for any of those, really. All you can do is work towards economic justice and good education for everyone and getting rid of racism.