U.S. New Poll Reveals Stark Political, Regional Divides/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A new ACP/Ipsos poll reveals growing optimism in rural areas but deepening pessimism in big cities and Hispanic communities. While concerns about inflation unite Americans, views on crime, immigration, and national direction vary significantly. Economic anxiety and political polarization continue to define the national mood.
American Polarization in Focus: Quick Looks
- Rural optimism is up, despite economic challenges and rising prices.
- Urban pessimism is growing, especially around democracy and inflation.
- Inflation is a top concern across all 15 community types surveyed.
- Crime worries have dropped in large cities, contradicting national rhetoric.
- Immigration concerns are rising, particularly in urban and Hispanic areas.
- Hispanic communities feel less hopeful, with fear and disillusionment increasing post-2024.
- Tariffs and shutdowns under Trump have deepened uncertainty for some Americans.
- Polarization and democracy are growing sources of concern in big cities.
Deep Look: New Poll Shows Americans Sharply Divided on Future and Priorities
DES MOINES, Iowa — A comprehensive new survey from the American Communities Project (ACP) and Ipsos paints a sharply divided picture of the United States, with optimism about the nation’s future increasingly dependent on where people live and who they are. While rural Americans express growing confidence, residents in major cities and heavily Hispanic communities report rising anxiety and pessimism.
The poll, which categorized U.S. counties into 15 unique community types based on demographic, economic, and social factors, found that inflation and economic hardship are the most unifying concerns across the nation. Yet the way Americans interpret these challenges — and who they trust to address them — varies widely.
Rural America: Hopeful Despite Economic Strain
In a counterintuitive finding, optimism in rural areas has increased, even as high food prices and economic strain persist. Approximately 60% of residents in “Rural Middle America” say they’re hopeful about the country’s future — a substantial jump from 43% in 2024.
Carl Gruber of Newark, Ohio, a disabled Trump supporter, sees reason for hope in the belief that U.S. manufacturing will return and that prices may fall under Trump’s policies. Though he and his wife face hardship and rely on federal food assistance, he remains cautiously optimistic.
Similarly, Kimmie Pace, an unemployed mother in northwest Georgia, says her trust in Trump gives her hope, even if the results haven’t materialized. “Trump’s in charge, and I trust him,” she says, reflecting a common theme of political faith in rural regions.
Big Cities: Pessimism Grows as Inflation, Division Deepen
Urban areas tell a different story. Only 45% of big-city residents say they feel hopeful about the future — down 10 percentage points from last year.
Robert Engel, a federal employee in San Antonio, worries about his children’s future, citing concerns about the economy, healthcare, and the broader health of democracy.
“It’s not just the economy, but the state of democracy and polarization,” he explains.
With inflation surging to 3% annually in September, driven partly by recent tariff increases under Trump, economic uncertainty has returned. The same tariffs were originally touted as a boost for American industry but have introduced widespread market instability.
Crime Less of a Concern in Cities, Contrary to Trump’s Claims
While President Trump continues to highlight urban crime as a national crisis, the survey reveals that big-city residents are increasingly less concerned about crime and gun violence.
Angel Gamboa, a retired public employee in Austin, Texas, dismisses Trump’s claims as political fearmongering. “There’s an agenda to scare Americans,” he says. Instead of crime, urban residents cite immigration and healthcare as top concerns.
This finding aligns with FBI data showing declines in violent crime across most large U.S. cities. Moreover, 65% of big-city residents report visible immigration changes in their communities — nearly twice the rate in rural evangelical areas.
Immigration: A Flashpoint Issue in Diverse Communities
In Austin, for example, Gamboa notes that day laborers who once waited for work outside stores now avoid such spaces due to fear of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
“They were showing up to help their families,” he said. “Now they’re afraid.”
This sense of disruption is felt deeply across multicultural urban centers. Immigration remains a flashpoint issue, especially as federal enforcement efforts intensify under Trump’s renewed push to control the border.
Hispanic Communities: From Hope to Fear
Perhaps the most dramatic drop in optimism comes from heavily Hispanic communities. In 2024, 78% of residents in such areas felt hopeful about their communities. Now, only 58% do.
In Kissimmee, Florida, Carmen Maldonado, a Puerto Rican and retired National Guard member, describes a growing atmosphere of “fear and hopelessness.” Many in her community feel alienated by what they see as targeted policies and rhetoric from the Trump administration.
Even more troubling is that only 55% of Hispanic respondents say they feel hopeful about their children’s futures, down from 69% just a year ago. Maldonado worries that growing anti-Hispanic sentiment, fueled by immigration crackdowns and political rhetoric, will have lasting generational consequences.
Common Thread: Economic Anxiety
Despite the wide differences in optimism, political loyalty, and community focus, nearly all Americans share concern about economic pressure. From food costs to healthcare and housing, inflation is a persistent source of stress.
“Concerns about inflation are across the board,” said Dante Chinni, founder of the ACP. “One thing that truly unites the country is economic angst.”
This economic anxiety, however, translates differently across the political spectrum. In rural areas, it fuels hope in Trump’s promises. In cities and Hispanic communities, it deepens skepticism about whether the system is working at all.
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