Carrollton, TX

Carrollton’s political climate has shifted noticeably over the past decade, and if you’ve lived here as long as I have, you’ve felt it. The Cook PVI now sits at D+13, meaning the city leans about 13 points more Democratic than the national average—a stark contrast to the reliably conservative suburbs I grew up in. In the 2024 election, Dallas County as a whole went for Biden by a similar margin, and Carrollton’s precincts followed suit, with many voting over 60% Democratic. That’s a far cry from the 1990s and early 2000s, when this area was a solid red stronghold. The trajectory is clear: the old guard of fiscal conservatism and limited government is being replaced by a younger, more diverse population that’s increasingly comfortable with progressive policies.

How it compares

Drive ten miles north to Frisco or Plano, and you’ll find a completely different story. Frisco’s Collin County precincts voted +12 Republican in 2024, and Plano’s western neighborhoods still lean red. Even Lewisville, just west of Carrollton, has a more balanced split, with several precincts voting within 5 points of the national average. But Carrollton sits squarely in the blue bubble of Dallas County, surrounded by cities like Addison and Farmers Branch that have similar D+10 to D+15 leanings. The contrast is jarring: you can cross the county line into Denton County and feel the political atmosphere shift—more “Keep the Government Out” signs, fewer “In This House We Believe” yard signs. It’s a reminder that Carrollton’s politics are increasingly out of step with the broader North Texas suburban ethos of low taxes and personal liberty.

What this means for residents

For those of us who value limited government and personal freedoms, the local trends are concerning. The city council has pushed through zoning changes that prioritize dense, multi-family housing over single-family neighborhoods—a move that many see as government overreach into property rights. School board meetings in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD have become battlegrounds over curriculum transparency and parental rights, with progressive board members often voting to limit public input. Property taxes remain high, hovering around 2.3% of assessed value, and there’s little appetite among local leaders for the kind of tax relief you’d see in nearby Coppell or Southlake. If you’re a conservative, you’ll find yourself increasingly on the defensive, watching policies that once seemed unthinkable—like sanctuary city ordinances and diversity, equity, and inclusion mandates in city hiring—become routine.

Cultural and policy distinctions

One thing that hasn’t changed is the city’s strong sense of community, but even that’s being tested. The annual Carrollton Festival at the Square used to be a non-political gathering; now you’ll see booths from activist groups pushing everything from defunding the police to climate action plans. The city’s “Welcoming Carrollton” initiative, which officially designates the city as a sanctuary for immigrants, has been a flashpoint—supporters call it compassionate, but critics see it as a direct challenge to federal law and public safety. On the bright side, the local police department still maintains a professional, non-political stance, and crime rates remain low compared to Dallas proper. But if you’re looking for a place where your vote for limited government actually counts, you might want to look north to Little Elm or Celina. Carrollton’s future is blue, and for those of us who remember when it wasn’t, that’s a tough pill to swallow.