50 Equal States

[ElectionsGuy]

I wanted to have some fun, so I started drawing states (that can cross original state boundaries) of equal population. Since 308,745,538/50 = 6,174,911, that will be roughly the size of each state, with a maximum of a 5% range above and below.

1. Everything is based on 2010 census numbers (its just a lot easier that way)
2. Has to be based on counties, not municipalities (in all but one case, NYC which might as well be its own state
3. No county splits (with one exception, LA County because its so huge. As you can see, that and Ventura County I'm still deciding how to do the last two states)
4. I tried my best to create states that have areas of similar characteristics (though in some areas its very hard based on what I've previously drawn, like the tan one in West Texas, south NM and South AZ)
5. All states are contiguos except the one with Long Island (which includes Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia as part of it). This is the one kind of ugly thing I just had to go with.



If you have ideas on how to better clean these up, let me know. I'm not going to modify them a huge amount but if something fits better, I'll change it (i.e. That Eastern Pennsylvania state can look better). Otherwise I'll get right down to the info.

[ElectionsGuy]

I'll start in the Northeast. The geographical description, population, biggest city, and 2012 presidential vote.

State #1: Massachusetts – (Berkshire + Franklin + Hampshire). Population: 6,186,958

Biggest City: Boston (617,594)

Obama: 1,789,118 (59.9%)
Romney: 1,143,401 (38.3%)

[ElectionsGuy]

State #2: Connecticut + Rhode Island + Northern NYC Suburbs. Population: 6,284,662

Biggest City: Yonkers (195,976)

Obama: 1,576,188 (58.7%)
Romney: 1,072,761 (39.9%)

[ElectionsGuy]

State #3: NYC. Population: 8,175,133

Biggest city: NYC (8,175,133)

Obama: 1,995,241 (81.2%)
Romney: 436,889 (17.8%)

[VPH]

I love this. Keep it up!!

[retromike22]

I love this. Keep it up!!

[ElectionsGuy]

State #4: Maine + New Hampshire + Vermont + Western Massachusetts + Northern/Eastern Upstate New York. Population: 6,195,190

Biggest City: Syracuse (145,170)

Obama: 1,768,565 (56.4%)
Romney: 1,299,351 (41.4%)

[ElectionsGuy]

State #5: Long Island, NY + Delaware + Eastern Shore of Maryland + Eastern Shore of Virginia (non-contiguous). Population: 6,138,263

Biggest City: Virginia Beach (437,994)

Obama: 1,427,920 (52.6%)
Romney: 1,249,428 (46.0%)

(BTW, if you have a hard time seeing specific counties on the paint map, just ask and I'll tell you which are in which state)

[ElectionsGuy]

State #6: North and Eastern New Jersey. Population: 6,067,838

Biggest City: Newark (277,140)

Obama: 1,460,832 (60.7%)
Romney: 924,081 (38.4%)

[muon2]

Nice project. Those black states (particularly in the Delta) are very intense on the map, though.

[ElectionsGuy]

State #7: Philadelphia and Suburbs + Rest of New Jersey. Population: 6,265,910

Biggest City: Philadelphia (1,526,006)

Obama: 1,851,892 (62.7%)
Romney: 1,071,831 (36.3%)

[ElectionsGuy]

Nice project. Those black states (particularly in the Delta) are very intense on the map, though.

Yeah, I shouldn't have used black on that state. If you notice, I made a yellow outline where DeSoto, MS should be because you can't recolor the counties once they're black. Hopefully we can still know what counties are in it though.

[ElectionsGuy]

State #8: NoVA + DC + DC Suburbs (MD) + Baltimore & Suburbs. Population: 6,151,716

Biggest City: Baltimore (620,961)

Obama: 2,058,643 (70.3%)
Romney: 816,555 (27.9%)

[Goldwater]

If these were the actual states, I would still be living in my birth state.

[jimrtex]

I wanted to have some fun, so I started drawing states (that can cross original state boundaries) of equal population. Since 308,745,538/50 = 6,174,911, that will be roughly the size of each state, with a maximum of a 5% range above and below.

1. Everything is based on 2010 census numbers (its just a lot easier that way)
2. Has to be based on counties, not municipalities (in all but one case, NYC which might as well be its own state
3. No county splits (with one exception, LA County because its so huge. As you can see, that and Ventura County I'm still deciding how to do the last two states)
4. I tried my best to create states that have areas of similar characteristics (though in some areas its very hard based on what I've previously drawn, like the tan one in West Texas, south NM and South AZ)
5. All states are contiguos except the one with Staten Island (which includes Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia as part of it). This is the one kind of ugly thing I just had to go with.



If you have ideas on how to better clean these up, let me know. I'm not going to modify them a huge amount but if something fits better, I'll change it (i.e. That Eastern Pennsylvania state can look better). Otherwise I'll get right down to the info.

You can follow state boundaries a lot better if you have 49-state plan.  But if you are willing to loosen the equality standards a bit:

California 6,033 (6)
Washington 1.089
OreHawAska 0.956
Arizona 1,039
UtaVada 0.885
ColoWyo 0.906
NebIdaMontAkotas 0.951

The following are paired:
IowaKan 0.955
Missouri 0.970

OklaArka 1,080

The following are paired:

Texas 4.072 (4)
Louisaexico  1.068

Minnesota 0.859
Wisconsin 0.921
Illinois 2.078 (2)
Indiana 1.050
OhMiTucky 4.172 (4)
Tennessee 1.028
GeoBamaSippi 2.823 (3)
Florida 3.045 (3)
NoCaVaWeVa 3.889 (4)
Maryland (includes DC) 1.032
Pennsylvania 2.057 (2)
Massachusetts 1.060
New Jersey (+Manhattan, Staten Island): 1.901 (2)
Long Island Sound (Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Delaware, Fairfield, New Haven): 1.029
New York: 2.065 (2, one Upstate, one New York City)
New England (minus MA, and two counties of CT): 0.990

[Antonio the Sixth]

Relevant.

[Miles]

Nice project. Those black states (particularly in the Delta) are very intense on the map, though.

Yeah, I shouldn't have used black on that state. If you notice, I made a yellow outline where DeSoto, MS should be because you can't recolor the counties once they're black. Hopefully we can still know what counties are in it though.

I went in and fixed the black counties/parishes:

[Flake]

I'm wondering how those North Georgia, Mississippi/Louisiana/Arkansas mix, and West Texas vote.

[Lief 🗽]

I fully support your decisions to throw the Mississippi Delta and south Florida into dark and unending abysses.

[TNF]

Relevant.

This one is cool. I'd live in Gary but be from Mammoth.

[Gass3268]

Very good work Elections Guy! Reminds me of my map were I redistricted the country for 100 Senate seats.

[ElectionsGuy]

I'm wondering how those North Georgia, Mississippi/Louisiana/Arkansas mix, and West Texas vote.

State #9: Northern Georgia. Population: 6,178,895

Biggest City: Atlanta (420,003)

Romney: 1,332,106 (52.6%)
Obama: 1,169,546 (46.2%)

[ElectionsGuy]

State #10: Southeastern Florida. Population: 6,061,832

Biggest City: Miami (399,457)

Obama: 1,514,783 (61.2%)
Romney: 948,099 (38.3%)

[ElectionsGuy]

State #11: Southwestern and Central Florida. Population: 6,218,581

Biggest City: Tampa (335,709)

Romney: 1,495,825 (52.1%)
Obama: 1,349,558 (47.0%)

[ElectionsGuy]

State #12: Northern Florida – Escambia. Population: 6,223,278

Biggest City: Jacksonville (821,784)

Romney: 1,630,812 (54.8%)
Obama: 1,315,230 (44.2%)