Economy tops NC voters' concerns, doubts about federal help and 'Beautiful Bill': Emerson College Poll ...Middle East

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- North Carolinians are expressing concern about the current state of the economy, and many say they’re feeling the pinch more than they did a year ago.

That’s one of several takeaways from a recent Emerson College Polling survey, which asked residents across North Carolina how they feel about today’s most pressing issues.

Top concern: It's the economy

When asked about the most important issue facing the U.S., the economy (including jobs, inflation, and taxes) topped the list, with 38% of respondents pointing to it as their biggest worry.

Second? Threats to democracy at 19%, followed by immigration at 10% and healthcare at 10%. Issues like crime at 8%, housing affordability at 4%, and abortion access at 1.5% ranked lower.

Finances feel worse for many

A striking 40% of those surveyed said they’re worse off financially than they were a year ago. Just 28% said they’re doing better, while nearly a third, at 32%, reported no change.

This dissatisfaction may also explain the skeptical views on recent policy efforts.

"Big Beautiful Bill" faces mixed reviews

When asked about the controversial “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” only 30.5% said they believe it will have a positive impact on their lives. Nearly 36% felt it would hurt them, while another 23% weren’t sure what kind of effect it would have.

Just 10% felt it wouldn’t make any difference at all.

Hurricane response?

The federal response to last year’s historic and devastating Hurricane Helene didn’t exactly win high marks. A majority gave it lukewarm or poor ratings:

37% said it was “not so good” 21% called it “poor” Only 37% considered the response “good”

Split on Trump and deportation

Opinions on President Donald Trump’s deportation policy were sharply divided.

45% approved 44% disapproved 11% were neutral

And in the 2024 Presidential Election?

North Carolina voters slightly favored Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris:

Trump: 41% Harris: 38% Did not vote: 20%

Who was surveyed?

The poll reached a broad range of voters across gender, age, and educational lines from 1,000 people across the State of North Carolina:

Women made up 55% of respondents The majority, 66%, were white, followed by Black voters at 24%, and Hispanic or Latino at 4.5% The largest age group: 50 to 59-year-olds at 21% 69% took the survey online, while 29% responded via mobile

Education:

31% had some college or an associate's degree 26% had a high school diploma or less 22% were college grads, and 14% had postgraduate degrees

Why it matters

Emerson College Polling, widely respected for its nonpartisan, scientific methods, continues to track how public attitudes shift over time, especially in key swing states like North Carolina.

With 2026 midterms on the horizon and economic anxiety still high, these insights could help shape how politicians campaign and how voters decide what matters most.

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