Why is Staten Island more Republican thn Nassau County

[Smash255]

Nassau County is suburban, Staten Island although being part of NYC has a very suburban feel to it.

Both Staten Island and Nassau County are majoirity white, (Nassau slightly whiter) Nassau County is a bit wealthier.  Staten Island has more registered Democrats than Republicans, Nassau has more registered Republicans (gap is closing fast).  But Nassau County has constantly been more Democrat in Presidential elections than Staten Island (from 1960 at least when the atlas starts.   I knew both were once heavily Republican & moved left during the 90's, but I thought that Staten Island, just only moved a little, while Nassau moved quite a bit & thats why it became more Democratic than Staten Island, but Staten Island has been more Republican in Presidential voting since 1960 at least
.  Why is this?
Staten Island Racial Makeup froM Wikipedia

As of the census2 of 2000, there are 443,728 people, 156,341 households, and 114,128 families residing in the borough / county. The population density is 2,929.6/km² (7,587.9/mi²). There are 163,993 housing units at an average density of 1,082.7/km² (2,804.3/mi²). The racial makeup is 77.60% White, 9.67% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 5.65% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.14% from other races, and 2.65% from two or more races. 12.07% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. 71.3% of the population are Whites not of Hispanic origins.

Nassau County racial makeup from Wikipedia
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 1,334,544 people, 447,387 households, and 347,172 families residing in the county. The population density is 1,797/km² (4,655/mi²). There are 458,151 housing units at an average density of 617/km² (1,598/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 79.30% White, 10.09% African American, 0.16% Native American, 4.73% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.57% from other races, and 2.12% from two or more races. 9.99% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Staten Island Income
The median income for a household is $55,039, and the median income for a family is $64,333. Males have a median income of $50,081 versus $35,914 for females. The per capita income for the borough is $23,905. 10.0% of the population and 7.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.2% of those under the age of 18 and 9.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Nassau County Income
The median income for a household in the county is $72,030, and the median income for a family is $81,246. Males have a median income of $52,340 versus $37,446 for females. The per capita income for the county is $32,151. 5.20% of the population and 3.50% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.80% of those under the age of 18 and 5.60% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Presidential results

2004  (9/11 impact felt by both)
Nassau (Kerry won by 5.6%)
Staten Island (Bush won by 13.7%)

2000
Nassau (Gore won by 19.4%)
Staten Island  (Gore won by 6.9%)

1996
Nassau (Clinton won by 19.6%)
Staten Island  (Clinton won by 9.7%)

1992
Nassau (Clinton won by 5.9%)
Staten Island (Bush won by 9.4%)

1988
Nassau (Bush won by 14.8%)
Staten Island (Bush won by 23.5%)

1984
Nassau (Reagan won by 23.8%)
Staten Island (Reagan won by 30.4%)

1980
Nassau (Reagan won by 21.2%)
Staten Island (Reagan won by 24.9%)

1976
Nassau (Ford won by 4.2%)
Staten Island (Ford won by 8.7%)

1972
Nassau (Nixon won by 26.8%)
Staten island (Nixon won by 48.8%)

1968
Nassau (Nixon won by 8%)
Staten Island (Nixon won by 20.1%)  Wallace's vote was  almost double in Staten ISland what it was in Nassau 9.2-4.8

1964 (Johnson won every county)
Nassau (Johnson won by 21.1%
Staten Island (Johnson won by 8.9%)  closest county in NY state

1960
Nassau (Nixon won by 6.3%)
Staten Island (Nixon won by 13.1%)

[Smash255]

Yeah, but you'd expect them in Nassau County as well, so that's not an answer to the question.
Being part of NYC might play a role...IIRC Giuliani got 87% on Staten Island when he first beat Dinkins.
But the one that's really got me baffled is the "more registered Dems than Reps" part.

Thats what pretty much got me to.   It some stances you can understand why a county with more Democrats is more Republican than a county with more Republicans, but that would tend to be a county in the south compared with a county in the northeast.  Not two counties in the northeast, both in the NYC area, with similar demographics.  Both Nassau County & Staten Island have a rather large population that came from the other boroughs (or as in my case have parents that came from NYC, both my parents grew up in Queens)

[Smash255]

Maybe differential turnout? Democratic candidates poll best in the northern part of Staten Island IIRC.

Most of Staten island's African American & hispanic population is in northern Staten Island, so that would make sense, but I don't think the hevily minority sections of Nassau County (Hempstead, uniondale, Roosevelt) have a turnout that is all that much higher than the heavily minority sections of Staten Island.

The only thing I can really think of is the white population in Nassau County is a bit more liberal than the white population in Staten island, the question is why?

[Smash255]

Nassau County is suburban, Staten Island although being part of NYC has a very suburban feel to it.

Nassau County hit its peak population in 1970 (after doubling in the 50s) and has been declining since.  Richmond County has about 50% more people than it did in 1970.   People who were escaping New York have either moved to other states or further out on Long Island, while being replaced by people simply moving out from Queens or Brooklyn.

Staten Island is also more isolated, and residents may have a consciousness of being different than NYC residents.  Nassau County was created from Queens County at the time Quuens County became part of NYC.  IOW, it is just the other side of the settlement line around 1900.

Nassau's population did hit a peak in 1970 & dropped from 1970 to 1990, but has risen since then.  The 2000 population was also higher than the 1980 population.

[Smash255]

Isn't Nassau County the home of Bill O'Reilly?

Unfortunley, yes O'Reilly is from here