Skip to content
The American Political Almanac
RECONSTRUCTION & THE GILDED AGETHE SYSTEM OF 1896THE NEW DEAL ORDERTHE LONG REALIGNMENTPOLARIZED ERA1868RRRRD1888RDRRR1908RDDRR1928RDDDD1948DRRDD1968RRDRR1988RDDRR2008DDRD2024R

County record · fips 51125 · Virginia

NelsonVA

Republican ×3 since 2016reported 1872–2024 · 39 elections

The Long Record

39 elections against the Virginia and national vote
2024 result
R+7.6
won by Republicans
Record since first cycle
31–8
Dem–Rep two-party wins
Voted with the winner
23/39
59% of its elections
Closest election
2004
D+0.1
this countyVirginianational (official)dot colour = two-party winner · hollow = tie or unknown total · click a dot to open that election

The Biggest Swings

Cycle-over-cycle change in the two-party margin, in points
ElectionSwingToward
1976+61.5 ptsDemocrats
1932+39.3 ptsDemocrats
1904+38.2 ptsDemocrats
1972-38.0 ptsRepublicans
1968-29.8 ptsRepublicans

Who Lives Here

Census & ACS county profile, 2024
Population
14,732
College (BA+)
36%
Median income
$72,589
2024 dollars
Non-white
20%
Rural
100%
Age 65+
30%

Interpolated between Census/ACS anchors; income CPI-deflated to 2024. Demographics begin in 2000 — earlier cycles have returns only.

Neighbouring counties

Albemarle, VA · Amherst, VA · Appomattox, VA · Augusta, VA · Buckingham, VA · Rockbridge, VA