According to the 2026 edition of the FIU Cuba Poll, released by Florida International University on October 27, economic issues and healthcare are the primary concerns for Cuban Americans in Miami-Dade County.
On a scale from one to five, the economy scored an average of 4.78, with healthcare closely following at 4.73. These concerns outpaced immigration, which scored 4.35, and U.S. policy toward Cuba, which came in at 4.18.
The survey, conducted by Dr. Guillermo J. Grenier and Dr. Qing Lai from FIU's Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies, involved interviews with 1,004 self-identified Cuban American adults residing in Miami-Dade between September 4 and September 29, 2026.
China (4.01), Russia (3.96), and DEI—diversity, equity, and inclusion—(3.30) were also assessed, with DEI ranking last among the seven issues evaluated.
Demographic Variations in Concerns
The pattern of priority concerns held across all demographic subgroups, albeit with notable differences. Both men and women agreed on the top two priorities; however, women rated both economy and healthcare equally at 4.81, while men ranked the economy higher at 4.74 compared to healthcare at 4.63. Women also placed higher importance on immigration (4.47 vs. 4.23) and Cuba policy (4.30 vs. 4.05) than men did.
Age factored into these priorities as well: those under 60 ranked the economy highest, with the peak score of 4.84 among those aged 40 to 59. Conversely, healthcare topped the list for those aged 60 and older.
Interest in Cuba policy increased with age, rising from 3.89 among those aged 18 to 39 to 4.47 for individuals aged 76 and above, who placed it third above immigration.
Political and Citizenship Influences
Across political lines, the top two concerns remained unchanged. Republicans prioritized the economy at 4.77, while Democrats rated both healthcare and economy equally at 4.85. For non-citizens, Cuba policy rose to third place with a score of 4.66, surpassing immigration (4.49).
Dr. Grenier noted that Cuba often ranks lower on the priority list: "Cuba usually appears in fifth or sixth place, yet in 2026 it moved up to fourth."
The survey also highlighted a seeming contradiction within the community's preferences: respondents expressed a desire for a tougher stance against the Cuban regime while advocating for improved living conditions for the Cuban people.
This trend is consistent with past surveys from 2022 and 2024, where economy, healthcare, and immigration also topped the list, with Cuba policy trailing behind. The 2026 edition further solidifies this pattern.
These findings carry additional weight in the electoral context: 89% of respondents are U.S. citizens, and 95% of them reported being registered to vote in the upcoming November 3 elections for Florida's governorship and Congress in Miami-Dade.
While 68% indicated they would vote for Republican congressional candidates, 76% opposed the deportation of Cubans without criminal records, highlighting a tension between party loyalty and community-specific concerns.
The FIU Cuba Poll has been conducted since 1991 and is regarded as the longest-running and most comprehensive survey series of the Cuban American community in South Florida.
The methodological document emphasizes the political involvement of this community as "critically important, particularly during presidential election years."
Key Concerns Among Miami-Dade's Cuban Americans
What are the top concerns for Cuban Americans in Miami-Dade?
Economic issues and healthcare are the primary concerns, scoring 4.78 and 4.73 respectively, according to the 2026 FIU Cuba Poll.
How does age influence priorities among Cuban Americans?
Younger individuals prioritize the economy most highly, while older respondents place healthcare at the top. Interest in Cuba policy increases with age.
How do political affiliations affect the priorities of the Cuban American community?
Both Republicans and Democrats rank economy and healthcare as top concerns, though Democrats rate them equally, while Republicans prioritize the economy slightly higher.