Why are Caldwell + Bastrop counties more GOP than the rest of the Austin MSA?

[krb08]

These counties were previously less red than Hays and Williamson as recently as the 2004 election. But as those counties have gotten bluer and bluer, Caldwell and Bastrop have stayed where they've always been. Why are they consistently Republican and not getting bluer while the others are, despite being more favorable to the Dems as recently as 15 years ago?

[Del Tachi]

Was a time not too long ago when Southern suburbs were more GOP than Southern rurals; Austin MSA being no exception.

[krb08]

Was a time not too long ago when Southern suburbs were more GOP than Southern rurals; Austin MSA being no exception.

Are Caldwell and Bastrop rural though? Honest question, I don't know anything about them. They're in the Austin MSA so I assumed they're more suburban.

[DINGO Joe]

Was a time not too long ago when Southern suburbs were more GOP than Southern rurals; Austin MSA being no exception.

Are Caldwell and Bastrop rural though? Honest question, I don't know anything about them. They're in the Austin MSA so I assumed they're more suburban.

Caldwell is pretty Rural, Bastrop a little more of a hybrid.  What matters is college education.  Williamson 40% Hays 37% Bastrop 20% Caldwell 14%.

[krb08]

Was a time not too long ago when Southern suburbs were more GOP than Southern rurals; Austin MSA being no exception.

Are Caldwell and Bastrop rural though? Honest question, I don't know anything about them. They're in the Austin MSA so I assumed they're more suburban.

Caldwell is pretty Rural, Bastrop a little more of a hybrid.  What matters is college education.  Williamson 40% Hays 37% Bastrop 20% Caldwell 14%.

That helps explain it, thanks. It was always weird to me they were more Democratic than Williamson County as recently as the 2012 election.

[lfromnj]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_35_in_Texas

Pretty simple lol.

[lfromnj]

Was a time not too long ago when Southern suburbs were more GOP than Southern rurals; Austin MSA being no exception.

Yup as recently as 12. Obviously now Hays is all but Safe D and Williamson is like Lean to Tilt R.