| Year | Won | Margin | Democratic | Republican | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | R | 1,661 | 3,531 | 5,339 | |
| 2020 | R | 1,820 | 3,568 | 5,565 | |
| 2016 | R | 1,597 | 3,160 | 5,344 | |
| 2012 | R | 2,394 | 2,964 | 5,522 | |
| 2008 | R | 2,741 | 2,826 | 5,694 | |
| 2004 | R | 2,186 | 3,541 | 5,813 | |
| 2000 | R | 1,933 | 3,452 | 5,748 | |
| 1996 | R | 2,317 | 2,449 | 5,468 | |
| 1992 | R | 2,124 | 2,728 | 6,449 | |
| 1988 | R | 2,858 | 3,631 | 6,546 | |
| 1984 | R | 2,507 | 4,348 | 6,925 | |
| 1980 | R | 2,128 | 4,392 | 7,346 | |
| 1976 | R | 3,321 | 4,011 | 7,462 | |
| 1972 | R | 2,804 | 4,518 | 7,389 | |
| 1968 | R | 2,623 | 3,831 | 6,805 | |
| 1964 | D | 4,007 | 2,987 | 7,008 | |
| 1960 | R | 3,223 | 4,403 | 7,629 | |
| 1956 | R | 2,730 | 4,475 | 7,219 | |
| 1952 | R | 2,120 | 5,534 | 7,703 | |
| 1948 | R | 2,892 | 3,385 | 6,594 | |
| 1944 | R | 2,922 | 3,696 | 6,653 | |
| 1940 | R | 3,384 | 4,649 | 8,062 | |
| 1936 | D | 4,484 | 2,324 | 7,746 | |
| 1932 | D | 4,833 | 2,527 | 7,667 | |
| 1928 | R | 3,293 | 3,755 | 7,083 | |
| 1924 | R | 346 | 3,205 | 6,228 | |
| 1920 | R | 1,101 | 5,150 | 6,416 | |
| 1916 | D | 1,678 | 1,467 | 3,254 | |
| 1912 | D | 940 | 570 | 2,306 | |
| 1908 | R | 996 | 1,786 | 2,878 | |
| 1904 | R | 451 | 2,041 | 2,681 | |
| 1900 | R | 1,077 | 1,324 | 2,462 | |
| 1896 | R | 977 | 986 | 1,987 | |
| 1892 | R | 0 | 665 | 1,621 | |
| 1888 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1884 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1876 | — | — | — | — |
Barnes County's population has shed roughly a third of its peak mid-century total as farm consolidation reshaped the economy, leaving a predominantly rural electorate that has voted Republican by growing margins in recent presidential contests.
The Republican margin in Barnes County reached its widest at sixty-three points in 1920. The margin in 2024 was thirty-five points, in line with the county's deep historical pattern.
Barnes County's loyalty is rooted in its place. Median household income of $68,038, a 90% non-Hispanic-white share, and a population of 10,773 together describe a community whose political habits are deeply settled. The county's voting pattern over the last decade is most similar to that of Richland County and Ramsey County.