A complete collection of State Of The Union Address Speeches by US Presidents has been published by State Of The Union Address Library on Amazon Kindle. It includes speeches of every president starting with George Washington in 1793 up to the most recent 2011 speech of Barack Obama. While you can also read these texts for free on the website itself and in many other public sources, this book conveniently puts them all together in one publication with active table of contents.
Having all of these texts at hand (courtesy of aforementioned website) I’ve decided to do a small project – I ran all these speeches through readability analyzer at readability.info to get readability scores by different systems. I did this merely for fun and publish the raw data as it is without making any kind of political statement. Make of it what you will and don’t blame anyone since all that you will see here are mere statistical numbers calculated by a machine that doesn’t care one way or another.
Here are some obvious trends that I’ve noticed:
- State of the Union speeches tended to be much longer in the 19th century and much shorter in the 18th. There are two notably long speeches in the 20th century: Harry Truman’s speech of 1946 (end of World War II) and Jimmy Carter’s speech of 1981 that summarises his presidency.
- Most readability indexes started to decline starting from the beginning of the 20th century. While it may signify that US presidents and their speech writers started to target a wider audience with these speeches (perhaps due to a much wider distribution via electronic mass media) you should also keep in mind that all these tests were created in the 20th century with modern English language in mind.
Here’s the raw data and some select graphs related to these speeches:
Year | President | Party | Words | ARI | Coleman-Liau | Flesch | Fog | Kincaid | Lix | School Grade |
1790 | George Washington | None | 1153 | 23 | 14 | 29.2 | 23.8 | 19.4 | 69.7 | 11 |
1790 | George Washington | None | 1476 | 18.8 | 13 | 42.7 | 20 | 15.8 | 61.5 | 11 |
1791 | George Washington | None | 2384 | 21.1 | 13.8 | 34.4 | 22.2 | 17.9 | 66.2 | 11 |
1792 | George Washington | None | 2174 | 18.8 | 13.3 | 38.8 | 20.3 | 16.3 | 61.6 | 11 |
1793 | George Washington | None | 2043 | 18.6 | 12.6 | 42.9 | 19.5 | 15.9 | 59.8 | 11 |
1794 | George Washington | None | 2990 | 20 | 13.2 | 38.6 | 20.9 | 16.9 | 64.1 | 11 |
1795 | George Washington | None | 2058 | 20.5 | 14.1 | 35.5 | 21.5 | 17.3 | 65.9 | 11 |
1796 | George Washington | None | 2953 | 19.9 | 13.1 | 38.2 | 20.8 | 17 | 63.6 | 11 |
1797 | John Adams | Federalist | 2138 | 19 | 13.1 | 41 | 19.7 | 16.1 | 61.4 | 11 |
1798 | John Adams | Federalist | 2294 | 21.5 | 13.2 | 35.8 | 22 | 18.1 | 66.2 | 11 |
1799 | John Adams | Federalist | 1580 | 22.3 | 13.6 | 31.9 | 22.9 | 18.9 | 68.6 | 11 |
1800 | John Adams | Federalist | 1446 | 18.3 | 13.4 | 41.9 | 19.7 | 15.6 | 60.5 | 11 |
1801 | Thomas Jefferson | Democratic-Republican | 3297 | 19.5 | 13 | 39.1 | 20.6 | 16.7 | 62.8 | 11 |
1802 | Thomas Jefferson | Democratic-Republican | 2279 | 19.2 | 12.4 | 43.1 | 19.7 | 16.2 | 61.2 | 11 |
1803 | Thomas Jefferson | Democratic-Republican | 2356 | 26.3 | 13.8 | 25.6 | 25.7 | 21.6 | 76.3 | 11 |
1804 | Thomas Jefferson | Democratic-Republican | 2166 | 22.9 | 13 | 34.5 | 22.8 | 19 | 68.7 | 11 |
1805 | Thomas Jefferson | Democratic-Republican | 3024 | 20 | 12 | 43 | 20.4 | 16.8 | 62.6 | 11 |
1806 | Thomas Jefferson | Democratic-Republican | 2943 | 20.6 | 12.8 | 39.3 | 21 | 17.3 | 63.9 | 11 |
1807 | Thomas Jefferson | Democratic-Republican | 2472 | 21.1 | 12.8 | 39.2 | 21.2 | 17.5 | 65.2 | 11 |
1808 | Thomas Jefferson | Democratic-Republican | 2769 | 20.6 | 13.1 | 37.4 | 21.5 | 17.5 | 65.2 | 11 |
1809 | James Madison | Democratic-Republican | 1905 | 24.5 | 13.2 | 27.2 | 25 | 20.7 | 72.8 | 11 |
1810 | James Madison | Democratic-Republican | 2526 | 22.3 | 13.8 | 31.5 | 22.7 | 18.8 | 69.4 | 11 |
1811 | James Madison | Democratic-Republican | 2350 | 26.6 | 13.7 | 23.3 | 26.3 | 22.2 | 77.6 | 11 |
1812 | James Madison | Democratic-Republican | 3329 | 20.4 | 13.2 | 36.8 | 21.3 | 17.4 | 65.8 | 11 |
1813 | James Madison | Democratic-Republican | 3339 | 25.7 | 12.9 | 27.7 | 25.4 | 21.4 | 75.5 | 11 |
1814 | James Madison | Democratic-Republican | 2192 | 22.5 | 12.7 | 35.5 | 22.2 | 18.8 | 68.4 | 11 |
1815 | James Madison | Democratic-Republican | 3237 | 28.8 | 13.8 | 16.4 | 28.2 | 24.1 | 83.6 | 11 |
1816 | James Madison | Democratic-Republican | 3445 | 25.1 | 13.2 | 25.5 | 25.5 | 21.3 | 74.8 | 11 |
1817 | James Monroe | Democratic-Republican | 4515 | 19.4 | 12.5 | 42.6 | 20 | 16.4 | 61 | 11 |
1818 | James Monroe | Democratic-Republican | 4458 | 21 | 13.2 | 37.8 | 21.3 | 17.5 | 65.1 | 11 |
1819 | James Monroe | Democratic-Republican | 4796 | 19.1 | 12.5 | 44.9 | 19.5 | 15.9 | 60.3 | 11 |
1820 | James Monroe | Democratic-Republican | 3542 | 21.7 | 12.4 | 37.7 | 21.9 | 18.2 | 65.9 | 11 |
1821 | James Monroe | Democratic-Republican | 5947 | 20.6 | 12.2 | 41.3 | 20.8 | 17.3 | 64.1 | 11 |
1822 | James Monroe | Democratic-Republican | 4845 | 21.5 | 12.4 | 37.9 | 21.9 | 18.1 | 65.9 | 11 |
1823 | James Monroe | Democratic-Republican | 6516 | 18.7 | 12.7 | 42.8 | 19.8 | 15.9 | 60.6 | 11 |
1824 | James Monroe | Democratic-Republican | 8535 | 18.3 | 12.4 | 45.5 | 19.2 | 15.4 | 58.8 | 11 |
1825 | John Quincy Adams | Whig | 9187 | 22.9 | 12.6 | 32.5 | 23.3 | 19.4 | 69.5 | 11 |
1826 | John Quincy Adams | Whig | 7797 | 23.7 | 12.6 | 31.7 | 23.9 | 20 | 70.6 | 11 |
1827 | John Quincy Adams | Whig | 7176 | 23.2 | 13 | 32.2 | 23.4 | 19.5 | 70 | 11 |
1828 | John Quincy Adams | Whig | 7494 | 20.6 | 12.8 | 37.4 | 21.2 | 17.5 | 65 | 11 |
1829 | Andrew Jackson | Democratic-Republican | 10655 | 19.1 | 12.8 | 40 | 20.4 | 16.5 | 62.3 | 11 |
1830 | Andrew Jackson | Democratic-Republican | 15118 | 20.8 | 13.1 | 36.2 | 21.6 | 17.7 | 65.1 | 11 |
1831 | Andrew Jackson | Democratic-Republican | 7292 | 23.3 | 12.8 | 33.1 | 23.3 | 19.5 | 69.9 | 11 |
1832 | Andrew Jackson | Democratic-Republican | 7984 | 21.2 | 12.7 | 36.8 | 21.9 | 18 | 66.3 | 11 |
1833 | Andrew Jackson | Democratic-Republican | 8017 | 23.2 | 12.6 | 34 | 23.2 | 19.4 | 70 | 11 |
1834 | Andrew Jackson | Democratic-Republican | 13591 | 22.5 | 12.8 | 33.8 | 23.1 | 19 | 68.7 | 11 |
1835 | Andrew Jackson | Democratic-Republican | 10937 | 24 | 12.7 | 31.6 | 24 | 20.1 | 71.5 | 11 |
1836 | Andrew Jackson | Democratic-Republican | 12516 | 22.4 | 12.5 | 34.6 | 22.8 | 19 | 68.6 | 11 |
1837 | Martin Van Buren | Democratic-Republican | 11581 | 22.1 | 13 | 33.8 | 22.7 | 18.8 | 68 | 11 |
1838 | Martin Van Buren | Democratic-Republican | 11646 | 23.8 | 13.3 | 29.6 | 24.1 | 20 | 72 | 11 |
1839 | Martin Van Buren | Democratic-Republican | 13521 | 21.2 | 12.7 | 37.2 | 21.7 | 17.9 | 65.6 | 11 |
1840 | Martin Van Buren | Democratic-Republican | 9101 | 26.9 | 13.7 | 23.1 | 26.5 | 22.3 | 78.2 | 11 |
1841 | John Tyler | Independent | 8374 | 22.2 | 12.4 | 34.6 | 22.6 | 18.9 | 67.8 | 11 |
1842 | John Tyler | Independent | 8551 | 21.9 | 12.4 | 36.4 | 22.3 | 18.5 | 66.4 | 11 |
1843 | John Tyler | Independent | 8149 | 22.4 | 12.6 | 34.6 | 22.7 | 18.9 | 67.9 | 11 |
1844 | John Tyler | Independent | 9424 | 18.9 | 12.7 | 41.1 | 19.9 | 16.2 | 61.1 | 11 |
1845 | James Polk | Democratic | 16243 | 20 | 12.5 | 40.4 | 20.6 | 16.9 | 63.1 | 11 |
1846 | James Polk | Democratic | 18474 | 21.2 | 12.2 | 38.1 | 21.6 | 18 | 65.3 | 11 |
1847 | James Polk | Democratic | 16673 | 20.2 | 12.1 | 41.1 | 20.7 | 17.1 | 63 | 11 |
1848 | James Polk | Democratic | 21610 | 19.6 | 12.6 | 40.6 | 20.4 | 16.7 | 62.1 | 11 |
1849 | Zachary Taylor | Whig | 7750 | 20.4 | 13.1 | 36.7 | 21.4 | 17.4 | 65 | 11 |
1850 | Millard Fillmore | Whig | 8450 | 19.4 | 12.8 | 40.1 | 20.5 | 16.6 | 62.9 | 11 |
1851 | Millard Fillmore | Whig | 13511 | 20.5 | 12.5 | 38.8 | 21.2 | 17.4 | 64.8 | 11 |
1852 | Millard Fillmore | Whig | 10090 | 19 | 12.7 | 41.6 | 20 | 16.2 | 61.7 | 11 |
1853 | Franklin Pierce | Democratic | 9720 | 22.4 | 13.1 | 32.9 | 22.8 | 19 | 68.6 | 11 |
1854 | Franklin Pierce | Democratic | 10286 | 21.2 | 13.5 | 35.5 | 21.7 | 17.8 | 66.8 | 11 |
1855 | Franklin Pierce | Democratic | 11746 | 23.4 | 13.3 | 30 | 23.7 | 19.8 | 70.9 | 11 |
1856 | Franklin Pierce | Democratic | 10632 | 22.3 | 13.3 | 31.4 | 22.9 | 19 | 68.9 | 11 |
1857 | James Buchanan | Democratic | 13873 | 19.3 | 12.7 | 41.1 | 20.3 | 16.4 | 62.3 | 11 |
1858 | James Buchanan | Democratic | 16595 | 18.2 | 12.8 | 43.2 | 19.3 | 15.5 | 60 | 11 |
1859 | James Buchanan | Democratic | 12639 | 18.1 | 12.4 | 44.6 | 19 | 15.5 | 59.7 | 11 |
1860 | James Buchanan | Democratic | 14231 | 16.6 | 12.7 | 45.5 | 18.2 | 14.5 | 56.3 | 11 |
1861 | Abraham Lincoln | Republican | 7094 | 17.5 | 12.4 | 44.8 | 19 | 15.2 | 59 | 11 |
1862 | Abraham Lincoln | Republican | 8557 | 14.1 | 12 | 54.1 | 15.7 | 12.3 | 50.7 | 9 |
1863 | Abraham Lincoln | Republican | 6294 | 17.4 | 12.8 | 44 | 18.6 | 15 | 58.5 | 11 |
1864 | Abraham Lincoln | Republican | 6046 | 15.7 | 12.4 | 49.4 | 17.2 | 13.6 | 54.7 | 11 |
1865 | Andrew Johnson | Democratic | 9331 | 18.2 | 12.4 | 44 | 19.3 | 15.6 | 59.1 | 11 |
1866 | Andrew Johnson | Democratic | 7304 | 20.5 | 13.6 | 35.2 | 21.3 | 17.5 | 65.2 | 11 |
1867 | Andrew Johnson | Democratic | 12210 | 17.2 | 12.5 | 45.6 | 18.7 | 14.9 | 57.4 | 11 |
1868 | Andrew Johnson | Democratic | 9946 | 19.4 | 13.1 | 39.7 | 20.3 | 16.5 | 62.7 | 11 |
1869 | Ulysses S Grant | Republican | 7871 | 17.2 | 12.5 | 45.8 | 18.5 | 14.8 | 57.6 | 11 |
1870 | Ulysses S Grant | Republican | 8925 | 17.9 | 12.3 | 45 | 18.8 | 15.3 | 59.1 | 11 |
1871 | Ulysses S Grant | Republican | 6520 | 17.1 | 12.9 | 44.1 | 18.7 | 14.9 | 58.4 | 11 |
1872 | Ulysses S Grant | Republican | 4038 | 19.1 | 12.8 | 41.1 | 20.3 | 16.3 | 62 | 11 |
1873 | Ulysses S Grant | Republican | 10195 | 18.9 | 12.6 | 41.5 | 19.8 | 16.2 | 61.8 | 11 |
1874 | Ulysses S Grant | Republican | 9316 | 18.3 | 12.7 | 42.2 | 19.6 | 15.8 | 60.6 | 11 |
1875 | Ulysses S Grant | Republican | 12410 | 19.2 | 12.6 | 40.6 | 20.2 | 16.5 | 61.5 | 11 |
1876 | Ulysses S Grant | Republican | 6946 | 19.6 | 12.7 | 40.6 | 20.4 | 16.7 | 62.2 | 11 |
1877 | Rutherford B Hayes | Republican | 8193 | 20.2 | 12.9 | 37.4 | 21.1 | 17.3 | 64.4 | 11 |
1878 | Rutherford B Hayes | Republican | 8114 | 19.2 | 13.2 | 39.1 | 20.4 | 16.5 | 62.9 | 11 |
1879 | Rutherford B Hayes | Republican | 11886 | 20.6 | 13.2 | 35.5 | 21.7 | 17.7 | 65.6 | 11 |
1880 | Rutherford B Hayes | Republican | 6695 | 19.9 | 13.9 | 35 | 21.3 | 17.1 | 65 | 11 |
1881 | Chester A Arthur | Republican | 3876 | 18.6 | 14.2 | 38.8 | 19.7 | 15.8 | 62.9 | 11 |
1882 | Chester A Arthur | Republican | 2810 | 17.1 | 13.7 | 42 | 18.6 | 14.8 | 59.4 | 11 |
1883 | Chester A Arthur | Republican | 3877 | 18.9 | 13 | 40.2 | 20.3 | 16.3 | 62.8 | 11 |
1884 | Chester A Arthur | Republican | 9192 | 17.8 | 13.3 | 41.7 | 19.2 | 15.4 | 60.1 | 11 |
1885 | Grover Cleveland | Democratic | 20058 | 19.6 | 13.4 | 37.9 | 20.6 | 16.8 | 63.3 | 11 |
1886 | Grover Cleveland | Democratic | 15455 | 20.2 | 13.3 | 36.7 | 21.1 | 17.3 | 64.8 | 11 |
1887 | Grover Cleveland | Democratic | 5440 | 23.2 | 12.5 | 32.9 | 23.5 | 19.6 | 69.6 | 11 |
1888 | Grover Cleveland | Democratic | 9192 | 20.9 | 13.4 | 35.2 | 21.8 | 17.8 | 66.1 | 11 |
1889 | Benjamin Harrison | Republican | 13227 | 16.6 | 12.7 | 45.5 | 18.3 | 14.5 | 56.8 | 11 |
1890 | Benjamin Harrison | Republican | 11746 | 17.5 | 12.9 | 43.9 | 18.7 | 15.1 | 58.8 | 11 |
1891 | Benjamin Harrison | Republican | 16615 | 18.9 | 12.3 | 42.3 | 20 | 16.3 | 60.7 | 11 |
1892 | Benjamin Harrison | Republican | 14188 | 17.4 | 11.9 | 47.9 | 18.5 | 14.9 | 57.7 | 11 |
1897 | William Mckinley | Republican | 12307 | 17.7 | 12.8 | 42.9 | 19.2 | 15.4 | 59.3 | 11 |
1898 | William Mckinley | Republican | 20612 | 19.1 | 13.2 | 39.7 | 20.2 | 16.4 | 62.7 | 11 |
1899 | William Mckinley | Republican | 15358 | 19 | 13.5 | 38.1 | 20.4 | 16.4 | 62.8 | 11 |
1900 | William Mckinley | Republican | 19538 | 18.5 | 13.5 | 39.5 | 19.8 | 16 | 61.7 | 11 |
1901 | Theodore Roosevelt | Republican | 19772 | 15.6 | 12.3 | 49.3 | 17.4 | 13.6 | 54 | 10 |
1902 | Theodore Roosevelt | Republican | 9908 | 15.9 | 12.3 | 49.3 | 17.5 | 13.8 | 54.4 | 11 |
1903 | Theodore Roosevelt | Republican | 15131 | 16.6 | 13 | 45.8 | 18 | 14.4 | 56.7 | 11 |
1904 | Theodore Roosevelt | Republican | 17632 | 17.8 | 12.7 | 44.2 | 19 | 15.3 | 58.2 | 11 |
1905 | Theodore Roosevelt | Republican | 25215 | 16.8 | 12.3 | 46.1 | 18.4 | 14.7 | 56.8 | 11 |
1906 | Theodore Roosevelt | Republican | 23802 | 18.8 | 12.1 | 43.4 | 19.9 | 16.1 | 60.6 | 11 |
1907 | Theodore Roosevelt | Republican | 27661 | 17.2 | 12.4 | 45.9 | 18.6 | 14.8 | 57.5 | 11 |
1908 | Theodore Roosevelt | Republican | 19646 | 16.8 | 12.5 | 47 | 18 | 14.4 | 56.3 | 11 |
1909 | William H Taft | Republican | 14036 | 20.5 | 13.5 | 35 | 21.7 | 17.5 | 65.6 | 11 |
1910 | William H Taft | Republican | 6785 | 20.9 | 13.9 | 34 | 21.9 | 17.8 | 66.9 | 11 |
1911 | William H Taft | Republican | 24008 | 18.2 | 13 | 42.2 | 19.6 | 15.6 | 60.7 | 11 |
1912 | William H Taft | Republican | 25488 | 19.3 | 13.3 | 38.8 | 20.5 | 16.5 | 63 | 11 |
1913 | Woodrow Wilson | Democratic | 3640 | 16.8 | 11.7 | 49.2 | 18.1 | 14.5 | 56 | 11 |
1914 | Woodrow Wilson | Democratic | 4560 | 12.7 | 10.6 | 62.6 | 14.4 | 11 | 45.9 | 8 |
1915 | Woodrow Wilson | Democratic | 7758 | 17.7 | 11.7 | 48.6 | 18.8 | 15 | 58.2 | 11 |
1916 | Woodrow Wilson | Democratic | 2137 | 20.8 | 13.1 | 36.5 | 21.3 | 17.6 | 65.5 | 11 |
1917 | Woodrow Wilson | Democratic | 3993 | 14.1 | 10.8 | 58.6 | 15.5 | 12.2 | 49.8 | 9 |
1918 | Woodrow Wilson | Democratic | 5562 | 17.3 | 11.5 | 50.9 | 18.3 | 14.6 | 55.9 | 11 |
1919 | Woodrow Wilson | Democratic | 4833 | 16.3 | 13 | 45.7 | 17.9 | 14.2 | 56.8 | 11 |
1920 | Woodrow Wilson | Democratic | 2792 | 20 | 12.4 | 40.5 | 20.4 | 17 | 63.2 | 11 |
1921 | Warren Harding | Republican | 5718 | 15.4 | 13.4 | 44.2 | 17.9 | 13.8 | 55.3 | 11 |
1922 | Warren Harding | Republican | 5833 | 15 | 13.7 | 44.9 | 17.1 | 13.4 | 55.1 | 11 |
1923 | Calvin Coolidge | Republican | 6806 | 11.4 | 13.6 | 54.2 | 14.1 | 10.3 | 47.1 | 8 |
1924 | Calvin Coolidge | Republican | 7091 | 14.7 | 13.4 | 46.9 | 16.8 | 13 | 53.9 | 10 |
1925 | Calvin Coolidge | Republican | 11015 | 13.3 | 13.3 | 50.8 | 15.6 | 11.8 | 50.6 | 9 |
1926 | Calvin Coolidge | Republican | 10477 | 13.6 | 13.2 | 50.2 | 15.9 | 12.2 | 52 | 10 |
1927 | Calvin Coolidge | Republican | 8942 | 12 | 13.6 | 54.5 | 14.3 | 10.6 | 48.2 | 9 |
1928 | Calvin Coolidge | Republican | 8215 | 13.3 | 13.8 | 50.8 | 15.5 | 11.7 | 51.2 | 10 |
1929 | Herbert Hoover | Republican | 11259 | 16.2 | 14 | 42.1 | 18.1 | 14.2 | 56.7 | 11 |
1930 | Herbert Hoover | Republican | 4696 | 17 | 14.5 | 38.3 | 18.9 | 14.9 | 58.3 | 11 |
1931 | Herbert Hoover | Republican | 5834 | 14.7 | 15.1 | 43.4 | 16.9 | 12.9 | 55.1 | 11 |
1932 | Herbert Hoover | Republican | 926 | 16.4 | 12.9 | 46.1 | 18.4 | 14.3 | 58.4 | 11 |
1934 | Franklin D Roosevelt | Democratic | 2312 | 17.2 | 13.3 | 44.1 | 18.6 | 14.8 | 58.7 | 11 |
1935 | Franklin D Roosevelt | Democratic | 3603 | 14.6 | 13 | 48.7 | 16.5 | 12.9 | 52 | 10 |
1936 | Franklin D Roosevelt | Democratic | 3857 | 12.8 | 11.6 | 57.9 | 14.8 | 11.3 | 47.2 | 8 |
1937 | Franklin D Roosevelt | Democratic | 2796 | 15.1 | 13.4 | 46 | 17.4 | 13.4 | 53.2 | 10 |
1938 | Franklin D Roosevelt | Democratic | 4715 | 14.7 | 12.6 | 49.1 | 16.7 | 13.1 | 52.2 | 10 |
1939 | Franklin D Roosevelt | Democratic | 3846 | 12.8 | 12.6 | 54.3 | 15.1 | 11.4 | 48.6 | 9 |
1940 | Franklin D Roosevelt | Democratic | 3298 | 14.3 | 11.8 | 54.3 | 16 | 12.5 | 50.2 | 9 |
1941 | Franklin D Roosevelt | Democratic | 3416 | 11.7 | 11.7 | 59.7 | 13.8 | 10.5 | 45.8 | 8 |
1942 | Franklin D Roosevelt | Democratic | 3585 | 10.1 | 10.6 | 67.9 | 12 | 8.9 | 40.7 | 6 |
1943 | Franklin D Roosevelt | Democratic | 4702 | 11.5 | 11 | 63.8 | 13.5 | 10.1 | 44 | 7 |
1944 | Franklin D Roosevelt | Democratic | 3902 | 11.9 | 11.4 | 59.4 | 14.1 | 10.7 | 45.5 | 8 |
1945 | Franklin D Roosevelt | Democratic | 8362 | 13.5 | 12.3 | 54.3 | 15.3 | 11.8 | 49.8 | 9 |
1946 | Harry S Truman | Democratic | 27982 | 13.9 | 14.2 | 46.4 | 15.9 | 12.4 | 52.9 | 10 |
1947 | Harry S Truman | Democratic | 6163 | 12.5 | 13.6 | 51.2 | 14.8 | 11.3 | 49.1 | 9 |
1948 | Harry S Truman | Democratic | 5232 | 10.6 | 12.4 | 59 | 13.1 | 9.7 | 44.3 | 8 |
1949 | Harry S Truman | Democratic | 3503 | 11.1 | 13.2 | 56.1 | 13.8 | 10.1 | 46.1 | 8 |
1950 | Harry S Truman | Democratic | 5246 | 12.2 | 12.3 | 55.6 | 14.5 | 11.1 | 48.4 | 9 |
1951 | Harry S Truman | Democratic | 4101 | 8.4 | 11 | 70 | 10.8 | 7.7 | 38.7 | 6 |
1952 | Harry S Truman | Democratic | 5475 | 8.8 | 10.5 | 70.3 | 11.2 | 8 | 38.2 | 6 |
1953 | Dwight D Eisenhower | Democratic | 7043 | 12.4 | 14.2 | 49.2 | 15 | 11.3 | 50.2 | 9 |
1953 | Harry S Truman | Democratic | 9784 | 11.7 | 11.7 | 60.9 | 13.8 | 10.3 | 45.1 | 8 |
1954 | Dwight D Eisenhower | Democratic | 6147 | 13.2 | 14.3 | 49.1 | 15.3 | 11.6 | 51.6 | 10 |
1955 | Dwight D Eisenhower | Democratic | 7290 | 13.6 | 14.9 | 44.7 | 16.2 | 12.3 | 54.3 | 11 |
1956 | Dwight D Eisenhower | Democratic | 8379 | 13.6 | 14.5 | 47.5 | 15.7 | 12 | 53.3 | 10 |
1957 | Dwight D Eisenhower | Democratic | 4236 | 13.3 | 13.9 | 49 | 15.6 | 11.8 | 51.1 | 10 |
1958 | Dwight D Eisenhower | Democratic | 4971 | 11.5 | 13.4 | 55 | 13.9 | 10.4 | 48.6 | 9 |
1959 | Dwight D Eisenhower | Democratic | 5009 | 11.3 | 13.5 | 54.5 | 13.6 | 10.3 | 46.5 | 8 |
1960 | Dwight D Eisenhower | Democratic | 5760 | 13.6 | 13.7 | 49.2 | 15.5 | 12.1 | 51.9 | 10 |
1961 | Dwight D Eisenhower | Democratic | 6295 | 15 | 15.2 | 43.8 | 16.5 | 13 | 56 | 11 |
1961 | John F Kennedy | Democratic | 5329 | 14.2 | 12.6 | 51.5 | 15.8 | 12.5 | 52.2 | 10 |
1962 | John F Kennedy | Democratic | 6631 | 12.9 | 12.3 | 55.6 | 14.6 | 11.4 | 49.4 | 9 |
1963 | John F Kennedy | Democratic | 5340 | 11.9 | 11.7 | 59 | 13.9 | 10.7 | 47.3 | 8 |
1964 | Lyndon B Johnson | Democratic | 3318 | 11.9 | 11.3 | 59.9 | 13.6 | 10.7 | 46.4 | 8 |
1965 | Lyndon B Johnson | Democratic | 4414 | 8.5 | 10.9 | 70.2 | 10.7 | 7.7 | 39.3 | 6 |
1966 | Lyndon B Johnson | Democratic | 5345 | 10.9 | 11.1 | 64.1 | 12.7 | 9.7 | 43.9 | 7 |
1967 | Lyndon B Johnson | Democratic | 7289 | 10.6 | 11.3 | 63.9 | 12.6 | 9.5 | 44 | 8 |
1968 | Lyndon B Johnson | Democratic | 4974 | 9.6 | 11.3 | 65.7 | 11.7 | 8.7 | 41.8 | 7 |
1969 | Lyndon B Johnson | Democratic | 4174 | 10.5 | 10.8 | 65.7 | 12.5 | 9.4 | 42.5 | 7 |
1970 | Richard Nixon | Republican | 4571 | 11.2 | 10.8 | 62.9 | 13.1 | 10.1 | 44 | 7 |
1971 | Richard Nixon | Republican | 4600 | 11.9 | 10.9 | 61.6 | 14.1 | 10.6 | 45.1 | 8 |
1972 | Richard Nixon | Republican | 4056 | 11.6 | 11.3 | 60.5 | 13.7 | 10.5 | 45.4 | 8 |
1973 | Richard Nixon | Republican | 1734 | 14.8 | 12 | 52.1 | 16.2 | 12.9 | 53.8 | 10 |
1974 | Richard Nixon | Republican | 5285 | 12.6 | 10.7 | 60.8 | 14.4 | 11.2 | 47.3 | 8 |
1975 | Gerald R Ford | Republican | 4139 | 10.1 | 12.3 | 58.6 | 13 | 9.6 | 44.2 | 8 |
1976 | Gerald R Ford | Republican | 5106 | 10.3 | 12.2 | 60.4 | 12.9 | 9.4 | 43.2 | 7 |
1977 | Gerald R Ford | Republican | 4769 | 12.3 | 12.5 | 55.1 | 14.6 | 11.1 | 48.2 | 9 |
1978 | Jimmy Carter | Democratic | 4679 | 9.4 | 11.2 | 64.3 | 12.3 | 8.9 | 41.1 | 7 |
1979 | Jimmy Carter | Democratic | 3361 | 11.4 | 12.1 | 59.5 | 13.8 | 10.1 | 45.8 | 8 |
1980 | Jimmy Carter | Democratic | 3506 | 10.9 | 11.8 | 61.4 | 13 | 9.8 | 44 | 7 |
1981 | Jimmy Carter | Democratic | 33730 | 15.5 | 15.1 | 42 | 17 | 13.5 | 56.6 | 11 |
1982 | Ronald Reagan | Republican | 5368 | 11.2 | 11.9 | 60.7 | 13.4 | 10 | 45.4 | 8 |
1983 | Ronald Reagan | Republican | 5747 | 11.4 | 11.7 | 59.5 | 13.7 | 10.3 | 45.9 | 8 |
1984 | Ronald Reagan | Republican | 5147 | 9.1 | 11.7 | 64.9 | 11.5 | 8.4 | 40.7 | 6 |
1985 | Ronald Reagan | Republican | 4421 | 10.3 | 11.8 | 62.5 | 12.5 | 9.3 | 43.5 | 7 |
1986 | Ronald Reagan | Republican | 3559 | 9.4 | 10.9 | 66.8 | 11.5 | 8.6 | 41.1 | 7 |
1987 | Ronald Reagan | Republican | 3981 | 9.3 | 10.9 | 66.8 | 11.7 | 8.6 | 41.3 | 7 |
1988 | Ronald Reagan | Republican | 4952 | 10.2 | 11 | 63.6 | 12.7 | 9.4 | 42.5 | 7 |
1990 | George H W Bush | Republican | 3847 | 7.2 | 9.7 | 73.5 | 10.2 | 7.1 | 34.5 | 5 |
1991 | George H W Bush | Republican | 3908 | 8.7 | 11.3 | 66.4 | 11.6 | 8.2 | 39.9 | 6 |
1992 | George H W Bush | Republican | 4865 | 6.6 | 9.7 | 76.6 | 9.6 | 6.4 | 33.6 | 5 |
1994 | William J Clinton | Democratic | 7611 | 9.8 | 10.4 | 69.4 | 11.8 | 8.7 | 40.1 | 6 |
1995 | William J Clinton | Democratic | 9376 | 9.2 | 9.6 | 70.9 | 12 | 8.5 | 39 | 6 |
1996 | William J Clinton | Democratic | 6430 | 8.7 | 10.9 | 68.8 | 11.2 | 8 | 40 | 6 |
1997 | William J Clinton | Democratic | 6847 | 9.6 | 10.9 | 68.2 | 11.7 | 8.6 | 41.4 | 7 |
1998 | William J Clinton | Democratic | 7346 | 9.5 | 10.7 | 68 | 11.6 | 8.6 | 41.5 | 7 |
1999 | William J Clinton | Democratic | 7718 | 9.8 | 10.9 | 66.2 | 11.9 | 8.9 | 42.5 | 7 |
2000 | William J Clinton | Democratic | 7547 | 9.5 | 11.6 | 65.9 | 11.5 | 8.5 | 41.5 | 7 |
2001 | George W Bush | Republican | 4486 | 8.1 | 11.3 | 71 | 10.3 | 7.3 | 39.7 | 6 |
2001 | George W Bush | Republican | 3102 | 8.3 | 11.3 | 70.4 | 10.6 | 7.4 | 38.9 | 6 |
2002 | George W Bush | Republican | 3951 | 9.6 | 12 | 67.1 | 11.4 | 8.3 | 42.7 | 7 |
2003 | George W Bush | Republican | 5489 | 10.4 | 12 | 63.1 | 12.3 | 9.2 | 44.5 | 8 |
2004 | George W Bush | Republican | 5399 | 10.3 | 12.1 | 65.2 | 11.9 | 8.8 | 44.5 | 8 |
2005 | George W Bush | Republican | 5252 | 11.6 | 12.2 | 60.2 | 13.4 | 10.2 | 46.8 | 8 |
2006 | George W Bush | Republican | 5468 | 10.7 | 12.2 | 61.9 | 12.7 | 9.5 | 45.7 | 8 |
2007 | George W Bush | Republican | 5696 | 9.6 | 10.8 | 67.6 | 11.9 | 8.6 | 40.9 | 6 |
2008 | George W Bush | Republican | 5838 | 9.8 | 11.8 | 65.4 | 12 | 8.7 | 42.4 | 7 |
2009 | Barack Obama | Democratic | 6033 | 10.3 | 10.4 | 66.4 | 12.5 | 9.4 | 41.8 | 7 |
2010 | Barack Obama | Democratic | 7183 | 8.6 | 10.8 | 69.9 | 11.2 | 7.9 | 38.4 | 6 |
2011 | Barack Obama | Democratic | 6993 | 8.2 | 10.2 | 72.4 | 10.7 | 7.5 | 37.8 | 5 |
Average scores by US President:
President | Words | ARI | Coleman-Liau | Flesch | Fog | Kincaid | Lix | School Grade |
Theodore Roosevelt | 19,845.88 | 16.94 | 12.45 | 46.38 | 18.35 | 14.64 | 56.81 | 10.88 |
James Polk | 18,250.00 | 20.25 | 12.35 | 40.05 | 20.83 | 17.18 | 63.38 | 11 |
William H Taft | 17,579.25 | 19.73 | 13.43 | 37.5 | 20.93 | 16.85 | 64.05 | 11 |
William Mckinley | 16,953.75 | 18.58 | 13.25 | 40.05 | 19.9 | 16.05 | 61.63 | 11 |
James Buchanan | 14,334.50 | 18.05 | 12.65 | 43.6 | 19.2 | 15.48 | 59.58 | 11 |
Benjamin Harrison | 13,944.00 | 17.6 | 12.45 | 44.9 | 18.88 | 15.2 | 58.5 | 11 |
Grover Cleveland | 12,536.25 | 20.98 | 13.15 | 35.68 | 21.75 | 17.88 | 65.95 | 11 |
Martin Van Buren | 11,462.25 | 23.5 | 13.18 | 30.93 | 23.75 | 19.75 | 70.95 | 11 |
Jimmy Carter | 11,319.00 | 11.8 | 12.55 | 56.8 | 14.03 | 10.58 | 46.88 | 8.25 |
Andrew Jackson | 10,763.75 | 22.06 | 12.75 | 35.01 | 22.54 | 18.65 | 67.8 | 11 |
Millard Fillmore | 10,683.67 | 19.63 | 12.67 | 40.17 | 20.57 | 16.73 | 63.13 | 11 |
Franklin Pierce | 10,596.00 | 22.33 | 13.3 | 32.45 | 22.78 | 18.9 | 68.8 | 11 |
Andrew Johnson | 9,697.75 | 18.83 | 12.9 | 41.13 | 19.9 | 16.13 | 61.1 | 11 |
Calvin Coolidge | 8,757.67 | 13.05 | 13.48 | 51.23 | 15.37 | 11.6 | 50.5 | 9.33 |
Rutherford B Hayes | 8,722.00 | 19.98 | 13.3 | 36.75 | 21.13 | 17.15 | 64.48 | 11 |
John Tyler | 8,624.50 | 21.35 | 12.53 | 36.68 | 21.88 | 18.13 | 65.8 | 11 |
Harry S Truman | 8,435.75 | 11.15 | 12.36 | 58.69 | 13.49 | 10.08 | 45.35 | 8 |
Ulysses S Grant | 8,277.63 | 18.41 | 12.64 | 42.61 | 19.54 | 15.81 | 60.4 | 11 |
John Quincy Adams | 7,913.50 | 22.6 | 12.75 | 33.45 | 22.95 | 19.1 | 68.78 | 11 |
Zachary Taylor | 7,750.00 | 20.4 | 13.1 | 36.7 | 21.4 | 17.4 | 65 | 11 |
Average Value | 7,742.37 | 16.5 | 12.55 | 47.25 | 17.89 | 14.25 | 56.39 | 9.78 |
William J Clinton | 7,553.57 | 9.44 | 10.71 | 68.2 | 11.67 | 8.54 | 40.86 | 6.57 |
Abraham Lincoln | 6,997.75 | 16.18 | 12.4 | 48.08 | 17.63 | 14.03 | 55.73 | 10.5 |
Barack Obama | 6,736.33 | 9.03 | 10.47 | 69.57 | 11.47 | 8.27 | 39.33 | 6 |
Dwight D Eisenhower | 6,125.56 | 13.06 | 14.18 | 49.11 | 15.26 | 11.64 | 51.5 | 9.78 |
Warren Harding | 5,775.50 | 15.2 | 13.55 | 44.55 | 17.5 | 13.6 | 55.2 | 11 |
John F Kennedy | 5,766.67 | 13 | 12.2 | 55.37 | 14.77 | 11.53 | 49.63 | 9 |
Herbert Hoover | 5,678.75 | 16.08 | 14.13 | 42.48 | 18.08 | 14.08 | 57.13 | 11 |
James Monroe | 5,394.25 | 20.04 | 12.54 | 41.31 | 20.55 | 16.84 | 62.71 | 11 |
George W Bush | 4,964.56 | 9.82 | 11.74 | 65.77 | 11.83 | 8.67 | 42.9 | 7.11 |
Chester A Arthur | 4,938.75 | 18.1 | 13.55 | 40.68 | 19.45 | 15.58 | 61.3 | 11 |
Lyndon B Johnson | 4,919.00 | 10.33 | 11.12 | 64.92 | 12.3 | 9.28 | 42.98 | 7.17 |
Ronald Reagan | 4,739.29 | 10.13 | 11.41 | 63.54 | 12.43 | 9.23 | 42.91 | 7.14 |
Gerald R Ford | 4,671.33 | 10.9 | 12.33 | 58.03 | 13.5 | 10.03 | 45.2 | 8 |
Woodrow Wilson | 4,409.38 | 16.96 | 11.85 | 49.08 | 18.09 | 14.51 | 56.41 | 10.38 |
George H W Bush | 4,206.67 | 7.5 | 10.23 | 72.17 | 10.47 | 7.23 | 36 | 5.33 |
Richard Nixon | 4,049.20 | 12.42 | 11.14 | 59.58 | 14.3 | 11.06 | 47.12 | 8.2 |
Franklin D Roosevelt | 4,032.83 | 13.35 | 12.11 | 54.96 | 15.32 | 11.78 | 48.99 | 8.75 |
James Madison | 2,790.38 | 24.49 | 13.31 | 27.99 | 24.58 | 20.59 | 73.49 | 11 |
Thomas Jefferson | 2,663.25 | 21.28 | 12.86 | 37.65 | 21.61 | 17.83 | 65.74 | 11 |
George Washington | 2,153.88 | 20.09 | 13.39 | 37.54 | 21.13 | 17.06 | 64.05 | 11 |
John Adams | 1,864.50 | 20.28 | 13.33 | 37.65 | 21.08 | 17.18 | 64.18 | 11 |
Average scores by US political party:
Party | Words | ARI | Coleman-Liau | Flesch | Fog | Kincaid | Lix | School Grade |
Republican | 9,026.30 | 14.85 | 12.50 | 50.57 | 16.60 | 12.98 | 53.27 | 9.54 |
Whig | 8,931.88 | 21.21 | 12.76 | 36.38 | 21.86 | 18.00 | 66.19 | 11.00 |
Independent | 8,624.50 | 21.35 | 12.53 | 36.68 | 21.88 | 18.13 | 65.80 | 11.00 |
Democratic | 7,913.96 | 14.32 | 12.30 | 52.55 | 16.02 | 12.53 | 51.74 | 9.09 |
Democratic-Republican | 6,076.17 | 22.14 | 12.90 | 34.98 | 22.48 | 18.62 | 67.83 | 11.00 |
None | 2,153.88 | 20.09 | 13.39 | 37.54 | 21.13 | 17.06 | 64.05 | 11.00 |
Federalist | 1,864.50 | 20.28 | 13.33 | 37.65 | 21.08 | 17.18 | 64.18 | 11.00 |
State Of The Union word count by year trend:
State Of The Union Lix Readability Index By The Year
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Amusing to see Dwight David Eisenhower listed as a Democrat. Yes, he espoused “little d” democratic values, but he was a registered Republican (as was his VP, Tricky Dicky).