Gallup: Record 45% of Americans Identify as Political Independents in 2025
Gallup’s 2025 national polling shows 45% of U.S. adults now identify as political independents, the highest share since the organization began tracking the question in 1991 and above the previous 43% peaks in 2014, 2023 and 2024. Formal party ID is tied, with 27% calling themselves Democrats and 27% Republicans, but when independents’ leanings are included, 47% of Americans align with Democrats or Democratic‑leaning independents versus 42% with Republicans or Republican‑leaning independents, ending a three‑year GOP edge in combined affiliation. The shift is strongest among younger adults: 56% of Gen Z adults identify as independents, compared with 47% of millennials at a comparable age in 2012 and 40% of Gen X in 1992. Within the independent bloc, 20% lean Democratic, 15% lean Republican and 10% do not lean either way, reflecting a three‑point drop in GOP leaners and a three‑point rise in Democratic leaners from 2024. Gallup’s findings, based on more than 13,000 interviews conducted throughout 2025, suggest growing disenchantment with both major parties even as Democrats regain a modest advantage in the broader partisan landscape.
📌 Key Facts
- Gallup reports a record 45% of U.S. adults identified as political independents in 2025, surpassing previous highs of 43%.
- Self‑identified Democrats and Republicans are tied at 27% each, but including leaners yields 47% Democratic/D‑leaning vs. 42% Republican/R‑leaning.
- Among independents, 20% lean Democratic, 15% lean Republican and 10% do not lean, a three‑point swing toward Democrats compared with 2024.
- An estimated 56% of Gen Z adults identify as independents, vs. 47% of millennials in 2012 and 40% of Gen X in 1992.
- The survey aggregates more than 13,000 interviews with U.S. adults conducted by Gallup during 2025.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2023, 29% of Black adults identified as political independents, up from 11% during the 2016-2019 period, while the U.S. Black population is approximately 12% of the total population.
Democrats Lose Ground With Black and Hispanic Adults — Gallup
In 2023, 35% of Hispanic adults identified as political independents, up from 27% during the 2016-2019 period, while the U.S. Hispanic population is approximately 19% of the total population.
Democrats Lose Ground With Black and Hispanic Adults — Gallup
Independent political identification among White adults remained stable at around 41-42% from 2016-2023, while the U.S. White population is approximately 59% of the total population.
Democrats Lose Ground With Black and Hispanic Adults — Gallup
In 2025, among young Americans aged 18-29, 43% identified as political independents, driven by deep bipartisan frustration and negative views of both major parties.
Harvard Youth Poll - 51st Edition Fall 2025 — Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School
Economic insecurity contributes to the rise in political independents among young Americans, with 43% of 18-29 year-olds reporting they are struggling or just getting by financially.
Harvard Youth Poll - 51st Edition Fall 2025 — Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School
📊 Analysis & Commentary (3)
"A Nate Silver commentary arguing that polls sometimes underestimate Democrats — especially when independents are misclassified or turnout models are off — and urging nuance about claims that polls have a consistent partisan bias."
"A Nate Silver pollster‑ratings update arguing that recent shifts in public sentiment (notably a rise in independents) and methodological differences across firms require recalibrated pollster weights and careful interpretation of polls like Gallup’s record‑high independent finding."
"A lament that the moderate, policy‑focused liberal center in American politics has collapsed—evidenced by record levels of independent identification—and an argument that Democrats must refocus on material, centrist policies to rebuild a stable governing coalition."
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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