The 2024 Texas Trends survey focusing on public opinion concerning the general election and public policies was recently released. The survey was taken between June 20 and July 1, conducted in English and Spanish, with 2,257 YouGov respondents 18 years of age and older, from a diverse population. The statewide survey results were presented in five separate reports including the November 2024 election; school choice/vouchers; housing, immigration, and climate challenges.
The report was the vision of three Texas legends who began their political careers in the early 1970s. Texas political pioneers Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby, Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, and Congressman Mickey Leland launched the Texas Trends Survey when the Texas population was smaller and less diverse.
In 2021, the newly released report was part of a five-year project to study Texas’s changing population and opinions. The data included in the survey is shared with policymakers, community leaders, and the public to help decision-makers determine the best routes for Texas moving forward.
2024 Texas Voter Intention
The first report of the 2024 Texas Trends survey examines the voter intention of Texans in the November 2024 presidential, U.S. Senate, and Texas railroad commissioner races. It also explores candidate approval ratings and the impact various issues and events have on the decision making process.
Highlights included:
- A survey of likely Texas voters found former President Donald Trump leading President Joe Biden by nine points in the state, 49% to 40%, with four months to go until the November election.
- 23% of Texas voters identified immigration and border security as the most important issues influencing their presidential vote decision, followed by inflation (15%), the economy (15%), and the future of U.S. democracy (13%).
The survey was conducted between June 20 and July 1 after Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts by a Manhattan jury, and following the June 27 debate between Trump and Biden.
“Even after Trump’s conviction, and all of the concerns over Biden’s age, his poor debate performance and Kennedy’s high-profile entrance into the race, voters haven’t changed their minds about the candidates,” said Renée Cross, researcher and senior executive director of the Hobby School in a media release. “Voters know these candidates, and little seems likely to sway their opinions.”
Housing Trends Survey
The fifth report of the 2024 Texas Trends survey examines public opinion related to several housing-related issues, including housing affordability, and the financial strain Texans are experiencing from housing cost increases.
The report found that 90% of Texans consider housing affordability to be a problem in their part of Texas, with 44% considering it to be a big problem.
According to Chris Gleason, Founder and CEO of Simplicite Tax Loans, they are seeing first-hand the strain felt by the rising housing costs.
“Our San Antonio-based company, Simplicite Tax Loans, assists thousands of property owners that get in over their heads with property taxes. Nationally, we have done over $1b of business in the last 13 years,” said Gleason. “The biggest housing market trend in Texas is an increase in sales standing for sale inventory. Homes are sitting on the market longer and buyers are not clamoring to purchase the way that they have been in recent years. Obviously, higher mortgage rates have everything to do with that trend.”
Gleason adds that property taxes are adding to the financial strain homeowners are experiencing.
“From our perspective, we see the number of property owners that are looking for assistance paying their property taxes increasing year-over-year. We’ve seen a 15 – 20% annual increase in delinquent property tax volume nationwide. That’s a sign that more homeowners are starting to feel the pain of this higher interest rate economy.”
Texas Border Security
The Texas Trends report also included a survey on immigration and border security. Report six of the survey found immigration policy as a highly polarized issue in Texas. The evaluations of national and state immigration policies regarding individuals entering, living, or working in the U.S. without proper authorization varied vastly by party identification.
In conclusion, the survey found that 26% of Texans approve of President Joe Biden’s border policy, while 57% approve of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s border policy. Among Texas Democrats, 73% approve of President Joe Biden’s policy, while only 31% approve of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s border policy.
Additional Trend Survey Reports
Another important section of the report included outage experiences and preparedness after Hurricane Beryl. As Texas recovers from two mass power outage events within two months, government officials and customers are calling on new initiatives to improve the resiliency of the power grid.
Texas School Vouchers & Education Savings Accounts made up the fourth report. The survey examined the support for and opposition to legislative proposals on school vouchers and educational savings accounts (ESA). Highlights from the report showed that 65% of Texans support adopting legislation that would provide school vouchers to all parents in Texas, with 33% strongly supporting this legislation.
Read Report Six to learn about where likely Texas voters stand on immigration policy and border security-related issues, including differences of opinion when considering demographics and partisanship.
