Have you ever been itching to move to a brand new city in Texas, but apprehensive you won’t find like-minded folks?
As a proud progressive, you would like a spot where people share your values of inclusion, diversity and social justice.
Well, don’t lose hope! We’ve compiled an inventory of the 15 most liberal cities in Texas where you’ll feel right at home.
The Most Progressive Texas Cities
- Denton
- Austin
- Houston
- El Paso
- Dallas
- San Antonio
- Laredo
- Eagle Pass
- Fort Value
- Plano
- Galveston
- White Oak
- Amarillo
- Corpus Christi
- Richardson
Denton
Denton is a progressive city north of Dallas and Fort Value. Known for its thriving music scene and art culture, Denton attracts open-minded residents.
By way of politics, Denton County and town of Denton vote reliably blue. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won 66% of the vote in Denton. The town council and mayor’s office are held by Democrats. Denton residents strongly support causes like environmental protection, LGBTQ rights, and economic equality.
There’s a powerful sense of community in Denton built on progressive values like inclusion, diversity and social justice. Residents are obsessed with volunteering, activism and civic engagement. Denton can also be home to many nonprofits and advocacy groups working to make town a model for open-mindedness in Texas.
Austin
Austin is a pleasant place to live where its residents march to the beat of their very own drum and embrace ideas like environmental protection, LGBTQ rights, and social justice. You’ll find more yoga studios, craft breweries, and food trucks per capita than simply about anywhere else.
The unofficial motto ‘Keep Austin Weird’ says all of it. This progressive city celebrates creativity, individuality, and open-mindedness. No wonder Austin continues to attract young liberals and independents in droves.
In case you value things like equality, sustainability, and private freedom, you’ll feel right at home in Austin. Come for the music and food, stay for the culture. After some time, that laid-back Austin vibe just tends to rub off on you.
Houston
As Texas’s most populous city, Houston is a various, progressive place to live. With a protracted history of electing Democratic mayors, Houston consistently votes blue in presidential elections and has a high percentage of self-described liberals and progressives.
While still in a red state, Houston’s progressive spirit makes it an oasis for liberals in Texas. Its diversity and forward-thinking attitude will likely push it further left in the approaching years.
El Paso
Nestled within the westernmost corner of Texas, El Paso is a liberal oasis and one in every of the safest cities in a conservative state. With a population over 80% Hispanic, El Paso votes reliably Democratic.
The town council and mayor are all Democrats, as is their congressional representative.
El Pasoans support causes like immigration reform, environmental protection, and staff’ rights.
Dallas
Because the ninth largest city within the U.S., Dallas is a sprawling, cosmopolitan area that largely votes Democratic. The town itself has develop into increasingly progressive, even when other parts of Texas remain deeply red.
Dallas has a thriving arts and culture scene. It hosts major music and food festivals, just like the annual State Fair of Texas.
The large AT&T Performing Arts Center hosts ballet, opera, theater and more. The Nasher Sculpture Center and the Crow Collection of Asian Art offer world-class art. Overall, Dallas has an open and cultured vibe.
San Antonio
Because the second largest city in Texas, San Antonio is a various, cultural hub with many secure areas. With over 1.4 million residents, San Antonio’s liberal viewpoints have regularly develop into more outstanding.
Though still a politically moderate city, San Antonio’s diverse, progressive values, and policies are shifting regularly left of center, rating it amongst essentially the most liberal cities within the Lone Star State.
Laredo
Laredo is a border city in Webb County with a population of over 260,000. Known for its strong Hispanic culture and history, Laredo tends to vote Democrat.
The town’s values align closely with the Democratic party’s views on immigration, healthcare, education, and the economy.
Laredo’s location along the U.S.-Mexico border also impacts its liberal stance.
Eagle Pass
Eagle Pass is a small border city of about 26,000 residents along the Rio Grande River in Maverick County. Politically, Eagle Pass leans left. Within the 2020 election, voters selected Joe Biden over Donald Trump by a margin of 52% to 47%. The town council and mayor’s office have been dominated by Democrats for a long time.
While still a predominantly Catholic, socially conservative city, Eagle Pass Democrats advocate for causes like staff’ rights, healthcare access, immigration reform, and environmental protection.
Fort Value
Fort Value is a big city in north-central Texas that embraces progressive values. Known for its cultural attractions just like the Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Value Zoo, and Sundance Square, town has a steadily diversifying population.
Politically, Fort Value leans left of center. Tarrant County, which Fort Value is a component of, voted for Biden in 2020 and has elected Democratic mayors. The town council can also be majority Democrat. Residents support causes like expanding healthcare, immigration reform, and environmental protection.
Fort Value is an oasis of blue in a red state, with politics that match its cultural flair and variety. For liberals seeking to move to Texas, it may possibly be the proper selection.
Plano
A suburb and one in every of the safest neighborhoods of Dallas, Plano is a progressive oasis in a sea of red. Home to many major corporations, town has a highly educated population and was ranked the 2nd safest city in America by Area of interest.
Plano’s political leanings are evident in its diversity and culture. Nearly 1/3 of residents are foreign-born, and also you’ll find authentic cuisine from across the globe. An inclusive community, Plano has a thriving LGBTQ scene and hosts one in every of the most important Pride festivals in Texas.
The town prioritizes green space, with over 4,000 acres of parks. Residents enjoy outdoor activities year-round, from swimming in the summertime to ice skating within the winter. For entertainment, try the historic downtown, catch a show on the Courtyard Theater, or cheer on the local hockey team.
While not as liberal as Austin, Plano’s progressive policies and variety give it a decidedly Democratic slant in an otherwise red state. For left-leaning Texans, this Dallas suburb could possibly be a really perfect place to call home.
Galveston
Galveston is a beautiful, low-cost beach town in Texas with a energetic cultural scene and historical districts. As an island city, Galveston’s liberal and progressive values are inspired by its diversity and connection to the ocean.
With over 32 miles of beach to enjoy, residents are likely to appreciate environmental causes and sustainability. Galvestonians value protecting local wildlife, wetlands and natural habitats.
The historic Strand District and East End Historical District feature well-preserved architecture from the nineteenth century, attracting artisans, musicians and business owners. This creative class contributes to town’s open-minded and forward-thinking spirit.
White Oak
White Oak is one in every of the more progressive cities in Texas. Situated just quarter-hour north of Dallas, this suburb of over 50,000 residents leans heavily Democratic.
The town has voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election since 1992. It has a really high percentage of college-educated residents and younger families in comparison with other parts of the state. The town council and college board even have a majority of liberal-leaning members.
White Oak is understood for its strong support of environmental causes and initiatives like recycling, renewable energy, and green space preservation. The town has an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags to cut back waste and a “Dark Skies” policy to limit light pollution.
While still in Texas, White Oak has more in common politically and culturally with progressive cities on the West Coast. For liberals living in a historically red state, this Dallas suburb is a spot they will call home.
Amarillo
Once considered a conservative stronghold, Amarillo’s political opinions have regularly shifted left through the years. This city within the Texas Panhandle is home to over 200,000 residents and has develop into more progressive and open-minded.
Amarillo’s residents are likely to support causes like renewable energy, immigration reform, and LGBTQ rights. The town has a thriving arts and music scene, and hosts events just like the Tri-State Fair and Rodeo and the outdoor music festival Hodgepodge.
Corpus Christi
As a port city on the Gulf of Mexico, Corpus Christi is a great place to retire with a culture influenced by Texas’s Hispanic heritage. The town’s population is over 60% Hispanic, and also you’ll find plenty of authentic Mexican cuisine, cultural events, and art.
Corpus Christi can also be a preferred beach destination, with miles of coastline along the Gulf and beaches like McGee Beach and Cole Park. In case you’re on the lookout for nightlife, head to the downtown area near the harbor, where you’ll find live music venues, bars, and clubs that stay open late.
The town has a comparatively high percentage of Democratic voters and progressive values. You’re more more likely to find like-minded liberals in Corpus Christi than in lots of other parts of Texas.
Richardson
As an affluent suburb north of Dallas, Richardson is a liberal oasis in a sea of red. With a highly educated population and a median household income well above the national average, Richardson votes overwhelmingly Democratic. Within the 2020 election, Richardson went for Biden over Trump by a margin of nearly 2 to 1.
With a progressive-minded populace and policies promoting diversity, education, sustainability and gun safety, Richardson well deserves its rating amongst essentially the most liberal cities in deep-red Texas.
Final Thoughts
Texas isn’t quite as conservative as its status suggests. While much of the state could also be red, there are pockets of blue throughout, especially in a few of the key cities. In case you’re seeking to relocate to a more progressive area of the Lone Star State, any of those cities would make an ideal selection.
The culture, diversity, and open-mindedness in places like Austin, Houston, and Dallas prove that Texas liberals are a passionate bunch doing necessary work. So don’t write off Texas just yet. There’s more to this state than meets the attention, and with open arms, these liberal cities welcome people of all backgrounds to hitch them.