Congressional composition and party power back to 1856. Economic conditions, presidential approval, and government structure for every presidential election since 1980. All variables explained with sources.
Economic data are approximate estimates compiled from FRED, BEA, and BLS annual series. Verify against primary sources before formal analysis. Congressional data reflect the Congress elected simultaneously with the president. House diversity counts from CRS; Senate non-white % from CQ Press / form_fed. Turnout rates (VEP/VAP) from Michael McDonald's United States Elections Project (USEP). Demographics: 2005–2024 from ACS 1-year estimates (2020 uses 5-year); 1980, 1990, 2000 from published decennial Census reports; intervening years linearly interpolated. Income from Census Bureau CPS Historical Income Tables H-5/H-6 (1980–2004) and ACS 1-year (2005+). Education from CPS Table A-2 anchor points (1980–2004) and ACS 1-year (2005+). Interpolated values (dimmed in charts) are approximate.
| Year | Winner | GDP Growth | CPI Infl. | Unemp. | RDI Growth | Consumer Sent. | S&P 500 | Gas Price | Fed Funds | Appr. (June) | VEP Trn. | VAP Trn. |
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Colors reflect the election winner, not the incumbent party. Economic values are annual averages for the election year. Consumer Sentiment: UMich Index (higher = more optimistic). Presidential Approval: Gallup net approval (approve − disapprove) in June of the election year. Data are estimates — verify against FRED/BEA/BLS primary series for research use.
| Year | Congress | Pres. | Sen. Maj | D Sen% | Hou. Maj | D Hou% | NW Senate% | NW House | NW Hou% | Party Control |
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Election year = the November election year; Congress takes office the following January. "NW" = non-white. Senate non-white % from CQ Press form_fed compilation. House diversity counts from Congressional Research Service reports. Seat shares exclude independent members (e.g., 2022: 48D + 3I caucusing with D → senate_majority=D).
Economic data available for presidential election years only (1980–2024). Congressional data covers every Congress from 1856 to 2024 (biennial election years).