Voter Participation

The Voter Participation indicator measures the proportion of voting eligible residents (i.e., over 18 years old, citizens, and, depending on the state, non-felons) who voted in the last election. It is an important indicator of community engagement, civic pride, and social capital. Community engagement and social cohesion are linked to factors such as social support systems, which impact health outcomes. Individuals who participate in elections have been found less likely to report poor/fair health; conversely, where political engagement is low, studies show that people had higher odds of reporting poor health. Also, individuals who exercise their right to vote play a role in selecting public officials and referendums that can impact local economic health, education, and health systems and public safety. Voting data is extracted from the Jefferson County Board of Registrar’s Office.

Neighborhood Indicator Value Ranksort descending
Penfield Park 20.2% 1
Maple Grove 10.1% 2
Crestwood South 9.8% 3
Roebuck 8.4% 4
Huffman 8.4% 4
Gate City 8.2% 6
Dolomite 8.2% 6
East Brownville 8.1% 8
Hillman Park 8.1% 8
Echo Highlands 8.0% 10
Grasselli Heights 7.9% 11
Killough Springs 7.8% 12
Crestline 7.7% 13
Oak Ridge Park 7.7% 13
Pine Knoll Vista 7.6% 15
Brummitt Heights 7.6% 15
East Thomas 7.6% 15
Enon Ridge 7.6% 15
Hillman 7.6% 15
Redmont Park 7.5% 20
Tarpley City 7.5% 20
Liberty Highlands 7.4% 22
Forest Park 7.4% 22
South Titusville 7.1% 24
Brown Springs 7.1% 24
Sherman Heights 6.9% 26
Crestwood North 6.9% 26
South Pratt 6.9% 26
Woodland Park 6.8% 29
Industrial Center 6.8% 29
Bridlewood 6.7% 31
East Lake 6.5% 32
Eastwood 6.5% 32
Roebuck Springs 6.5% 32
South East Lake 6.4% 35
South Woodlawn 6.3% 36
West Brownville 6.3% 36
East Avondale 6.2% 38
Spring Lake 6.1% 39
Smithfield Estates 6.1% 39
Highland Park 5.9% 41
North Avondale 5.8% 42
Central Pratt 5.8% 42
Oxmoor 5.7% 44
Thomas 5.7% 44
Overton 5.6% 46
Riley 5.5% 47
Central City 5.5% 47
North Pratt 5.4% 49
Garden Highlands 5.3% 50
Germania Park 5.3% 50
Wahouma 5.3% 50
Roosevelt 5.3% 50
West Goldwire 5.3% 50
Jones Valley 5.2% 55
Southside 5.2% 55
Glen Iris 5.1% 57
Green Acres 5.1% 57
Brownsville Heights 5.0% 59
Sandusky 5.0% 59
Airport Highlands 5.0% 59
Zion City 5.0% 59
Powderly 4.9% 63
Mason City 4.9% 63
Bush Hills 4.9% 63
Hooper City 4.9% 63
Woodlawn 4.9% 63
West End Manor 4.8% 68
Apple Valley 4.8% 68
Belview Heights 4.7% 70
Central Park 4.7% 70
Evergreen 4.7% 70
Smithfield 4.7% 70
Acipco-Finley 4.7% 70
Oakwood Place 4.6% 75
East Birmingham 4.5% 76
Fairview 4.5% 76
North East Lake 4.4% 78
Wylam 4.4% 78
Norwood 4.3% 80
Graymont 4.2% 81
College Hills 4.2% 81
Ensley Highlands 4.2% 81
Five Points South 4.2% 81
Arlington - West End 4.1% 85
Druid Hills 4.1% 85
Rising - West Princeton 4.1% 85
Ensley 4.1% 85
Tuxedo 4.0% 89
Sun Valley 3.9% 90
Fairmont 3.9% 90
Inglenook 3.9% 90
Harriman Park 3.8% 93
North Titusville 3.8% 93
Collegeville 3.8% 93
Kingston 3.6% 96
North Birmingham 3.6% 96
Oak Ridge 3.3% 98
Fountain Heights 2.8% 99

Key Citations:
1. Cummins, S., M. Stafford, S. Macintyre, M. Marmot, and A. Ellaway. “Neighbourhood environment and its association with self-rated health: evidence from Scotland and England.” Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 59, no. 3 (March 2005): 207–213.
2. Kim, Daniel, and Ichiro Kawachi. “A multilevel analysis of key forms of community- and individual-level social capital as predictors of self-rated health in the United States.” Journal of Urban Health-Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine 83, no. 5 (September 2006): 813–826.
Stretch versions: The basic version of the voter participation data will be for precincts. The “stretch” version would be to geocode the addresses and create census-tract level indicators.