MORNING GLORY: 'Blue Blight' is spreading fast and only voters can stop it
“Blue Blight” – A Quiet Spread of Decline Across the American Midwest and West
By Maine News Now Staff
The phrase “blue blight” has entered political and economic conversations as a shorthand for the growing troubles seen in states that lean Democratic—what some analysts call “blue” states. While the term is still new, it has begun to appear in a variety of reports that link shifts in public education, manufacturing jobs, and higher‑education enrollment to the political climate of these states.
A Historical Lens
The article that introduced the phrase noted that the Dutch Elm Disease that devastated Ohio in the 1930s was once a new and frightening concept to many Americans. The disease arrived in Cleveland in the early 1930s, and by the end of the 1970s, the Elm trees that had defined the city’s courthouse square were largely gone. The disease still poses a threat to remaining Elm populations, a reminder that once a problem becomes widespread, it can be difficult to reverse.
That analogy is used to frame the current debate over the health of “blue” states. According to a 2024 piece by Douglas Belkin and Roshan Fernandez, higher‑education enrollment in these states has dropped faster than in their Republican‑leaning counterparts.
Enrollment Declines
Data from the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCE) for 2017‑2022 show that blue states—defined for the period as those that voted for Vice‑President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election—have seen a noticeably steeper decline in college and university enrollment. In contrast, six states that have experienced enrollment growth are all red: Georgia, Kentucky, Arizona, Indiana, Utah, and one other.
The article points out that while some deeply red states such as Alaska and Iowa have struggled, the overall trend in the 2024‑year cycle still favors Republican‑leaning states for higher‑education growth.
Manufacturing and Refineries
California, once a manufacturing powerhouse, exemplifies the manufacturing decline that has been cited as a symptom of “blue blight.” In 1978, when the state had a population of roughly 22 million, there were about 2 million manufacturing jobs. Today the population has almost doubled to about 40 million, yet the number of manufacturing positions has fallen to 1.2 million—a loss of nearly 800,000 jobs.
The decline is not limited to manufacturing. California’s refinery count has dropped from 23 in 2000 to just 11 now, while its refining output has fallen by about a million barrels a day over the last four decades. The result: California motorists face higher fuel prices—several dollars per gallon more than their peers in states such as Indiana, where gasoline costs remain comparatively lower.
Student Mobility and the “Getting Hammered” Podcast
Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus, hosts of the “Getting Hammered” podcast, noted that the trend of declining enrollment in blue states is prompting students to consider more southern destinations. Their speculation, based on data from the NCE, is that students are weighing job prospects and cost of living in the surrounding region when choosing a campus.
According to the podcast, students may increasingly move southward—into Florida or Texas—rather than north into New York or other blue states, as the latter offer fewer employment opportunities and higher living costs.
The Bigger Picture
The term “blue blight” is gaining traction in political commentary, especially as it intersects with state-level policy. Critics argue that high taxes and regulatory burdens in blue states contribute to the decline in economic opportunity and public service quality. Proponents of the policy positions argue that higher taxes fund essential services, and that the declines are part of broader economic cycles rather than a direct result of political ideology.
Whether the term will become a permanent fixture in political discourse remains to be seen, but the data behind it—declining enrollment, shrinking manufacturing work, and falling refinery output—are hard to ignore.
Looking Ahead
State voters hold the power to shape the trajectory of their communities. As the narrative of “blue blight” unfolds, it is clear that the political choices made today will influence whether these states can reverse trends in education, manufacturing, and economic competitiveness. The conversation is far from over, but the facts presented by recent studies and reports give voters a clear picture of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
