The Geography of Political Money
Political donations are not distributed evenly. Analysis of 32,666 ZIP codes reveals that affluent areas generate a disproportionate share of giving.
Top 20 ZIP Codes by Political Giving
| Rank | ZIP Code | Location | Total Given |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20005 | Washington, District of Columbia | $408.4M |
| 2 | 20003 | Washington, District of Columbia | $368.0M |
| 3 | 78734 | Austin, Texas | $256.9M |
| 4 | 20036 | Washington, District of Columbia | $235.5M |
| 5 | 82331 | Saratoga, Wyoming | $197.1M |
| 6 | 20001 | Washington, District of Columbia | $155.3M |
| 7 | 20006 | Washington, District of Columbia | $151.9M |
| 8 | 33480 | Palm Beach, Florida | $151.0M |
| 9 | 89145 | Las Vegas, Nevada | $123.4M |
| 10 | 60044 | Lake Buff, Illinois | $116.4M |
| 11 | 19004 | Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania | $99.4M |
| 12 | 94607 | Oakland, California | $99.2M |
| 13 | 33131 | Miami, Florida | $88.4M |
| 14 | 33606 | Tampa, Florida | $87.6M |
| 15 | 33401 | West Palm Beach, Florida | $83.7M |
| 16 | 60611 | Chicago, Illinois | $74.6M |
| 17 | 20011 | Washington, District of Columbia | $73.1M |
| 18 | 10022 | New York, New York | $69.8M |
| 19 | 94111 | San Francisco, California | $67.7M |
| 20 | 19809 | Wilmington, Delaware | $61.1M |
What Makes a ZIP Code Politically Active?
- High median household income
- Concentration of professionals -- lawyers, executives, finance professionals
- Urban and suburban locations
- Proximity to political power -- near D.C. and state capitals
Methodology
ZIP code data is derived from FEC individual contribution records for the 2024 cycle.