I think I know why Western PA has trended to the right

[old timey villain]

This is often overlooked. Sometimes regions trend over time not because of natives changing their politics, but because of transplants with different politics moving in. Forsyth County, GA for example has become even more Republican, despite becoming less southern and more diverse at the same time. I chalk it up to "blue state refugees" moving in who see the low taxes and suburban sprawl as the promised land.

[old timey villain]

This is often overlooked. Sometimes regions trend over time not because of natives changing their politics, but because of transplants with different politics moving in. Forsyth County, GA for example has become even more Republican, despite becoming less southern and more diverse at the same time. I chalk it up to "blue state refugees" moving in who see the low taxes and suburban sprawl as the promised land.

I know it's factually true, but referring to Forsyth County as diverse amuses me.

haha, well it can only get MORE diverse when it started out as 100% white

And for the record- it's over 7% Asian now which is very high for a county in the south.