Simulations/#3

Economy & JobsRegion Westn = 8

Do you think the federal government should raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour?

May 10, 2026 at 02:32 PM

New simulation

Strongly favor

44%

of simulated population

Somewhat favor

28%

of simulated population

Somewhat oppose

12%

of simulated population

Neither

of simulated population

↗ Key Insights

Generational divide: Under 18 show 100pp higher "Strongly favor" than 50–64.
Highest "Strongly favor" among Black respondents (100%), lowest among Other (0%).
Income inversely related to "Strongly favor" (-67pp low→high income).

Support by Age Group

Under 18 (n=1)

■ Strongly favor 100%

18–29 (n=1)

■ Strongly favor 100%

30–49 (n=3)

■ Strongly favor 33%■ Somewhat favor 67%

50–64 (n=1)

■ Somewhat oppose 100%

65+ (n=2)

■ Strongly favor 50%■ Strongly oppose 50%

Support by Race / Ethnicity

White (n=4)

■ Strongly favor 50%■ Somewhat oppose 25%■ Strongly oppose 25%

Black (n=1)

■ Strongly favor 100%

Hispanic (n=1)

■ Strongly favor 100%

Asian (n=1)

■ Somewhat favor 100%

Other (n=1)

■ Somewhat favor 100%

Support by Income Level

<$30k (n=2)

■ Strongly favor 100%

$30–60k (n=3)

■ Strongly favor 33%■ Somewhat favor 33%■ Somewhat oppose 33%

$60–100k (n=3)

■ Strongly favor 33%■ Somewhat favor 33%■ Strongly oppose 33%

Overall Distribution

Strongly favor44%

4 of 8 agents

Somewhat favor28%

2 of 8 agents

Somewhat oppose12%

1 of 8 agents

Neither8%

1 of 8 agents

Strongly oppose8%

1 of 8 agents

Agent Responses (8)

#	Age	Race	Income	Stance	Rationale
01	18–29	White	$30–60k	Strongly favor	A $15 minimum wage would directly benefit me and millions of low-wage workers. The cost of living in the West is extremely high and $7.25 is simply not survivable.
02	30–49	Black	$60–100k	Strongly favor	Raising the minimum wage addresses longstanding racial and economic inequities. Many Black workers are concentrated in low-wage jobs and a federal floor would make a real difference.
03	50–64	White	$30–60k	Somewhat oppose	I understand the intent but a uniform $15 floor ignores regional cost differences. Rural small businesses operate on thin margins and this would force layoffs or closures.
04	65+	Hispanic	<$30k	Strongly favor	I work two jobs and still can't afford rent. A $15 minimum wage is the bare minimum for basic dignity. I strongly support this policy.
05	30–49	Asian	$60–100k	Somewhat favor	Reducing income inequality is important for social stability. The evidence on job losses is mixed and I lean toward the wage floor providing net benefit to workers.
06	65+	White	$60–100k	Strongly oppose	Mandating wages distorts labor markets. Businesses should be free to set wages based on productivity. This will cause unemployment among the very workers it aims to help.
07	Under 18	White	<$30k	Strongly favor	As a student working part-time, I can barely cover basic expenses. A higher minimum wage would let me focus on my education rather than working 30 hours a week to survive.
08	30–49	Other	$30–60k	Somewhat favor	I earn above minimum wage but raising the floor would compress wages upward and benefit workers like me too. I think a gradual phase-in makes sense.

Simulation Methodology

Demographic Variables Used

age_groupincome_groupeduc_group

Quality Metrics

LocationRegion West

DomainEconomy & Jobs

Agents8

ATP priors sourcePew ATP 2021 (synthetic demo)

data/simulations/3__region_west__economy/