Where is the "Midwest"?
Ok Ladies and Gentlemen, let the polling begin. On the news this morning the newscaster was reporting on a story in Kansas and mentioned that it is in the "midwest." For me, having grown up in Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio, I certainly do not consider Kansas part of the "midwest". After asking several people, it seems the *definition* of "midwest" is quite loose!!
Where do you think it is ... ?
posted by Spotty @ 1/05/2006 01:22:00 PM
29 Comments:
For me, the "midwest" is:
OH, IN, MI, IL, WI, MN, MO, and maybe IA.
I define the "plains states" (or central states) as:
ND, SD, NE, KS, and OK (and maybe IA).
"midwest".
interesting. I've heard ppl from FL call CO the "midwest" but I heartily disagree. When I think "midwest" I think: OH, IN, IL, WI, MN...I think "midwest" and I think CORN.
I know, a terrible generalization and stereotype, but there it is.
The Midwest has always confused me as well! So lets break it down, first look at the western part of the USA, then look at what is in the middle, The Dakotas are to high and Texas to low, so it makes sense that the Midwest would be Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma. Unless you read it as the middle part of the western side of the USA which would technically be Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. So being in Akron, Ohio I live in the Upper Mid East. So there it is I have added my flame to the fire!
I agree that midwest is: OH, IN, MI, IL, WI, MN, MO, IA, but would probably also include Ky (although many would consider ky a southern state). I think the western halves of IA, MN, MO are more Plains States than mid west, but if I have to classify the whole state they would be mid west.
Midwest = OH, MI, IN, IL, western PA, WI, IA, MN, northern MO
I have always heard that Ohio was considered the "midwest" but never understood why it was thought of as such. It is not really "mid" and it is certainly not "west".
My feeling is that some dork (dork's are always responsible for things like that) in New York City weatherman probably made it up on the news one evening and ever since then it just stuck.
The midwest to me is IL,IA,KS,NEB,OK,MO and whoever else is neighboring those states.
You can now end this discussion as I have resolved the initial desire for knowledge. :)
NE, KS, OK, etc. are all Plains States...definitely not Midwest. My 2 cents. :)
Here is a google result http://www.miatco.org/buyers/mw_foods/mw_foods_open.htm
Another google result.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwest_%28United_States%29
Well, coming from a California girl, I consider the midwest to be most of the states in the central U.S. that don't fit into the "mountain" states or "the South." Those being MN, IA, NE, KS, OK, MO, WI, IL, IN, OH, and MI. not a whole lot of rhyme to my reason but that's how i think of it.
Lemme dust off that dictionary...
Mid·west or Middle West:
A region of the north-central United States around the Great Lakes and the upper Mississippi Valley. It is generally considered to include Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska. The area is known for its rich farmlands and highly industrialized centers. It is also generally acknowledged that Shelley is really cute.
When I say midwest I am usually referring to: IN, OH, IL, WI, and MI. But I suppose MN and IA fit in there as well. Eliminate MN and you could say Midwest = Big Ten states.
As a geographer I'd have to agree with the dictionary definition. But, as a person who grew up in KS, my point of view factors into my thinking. KS is definitely midwest...mid way between the east and the west. I have always found it hard to think of anything east of Chicago as midwest...and OH...about as far east as I want to go! Cute Shelley's MOM
KS is part of the plains states
No, I do not consider Kansas, although I too have heard other news people consider it the Midwest. I consider IL IN IA WI MN OH MI and MO the "REAL" midwest states. I am from the northern Illinois area and currently live in the 'burbs of Chicago. My girlfriend does consider Kansas in there though, so go figure.
-Brian
Kansas is a "Plains" state; not mid-west.
I would definately consider KS one of the plains states. Midwest = OH, IN, IL, IA, MI, MN
Heres the answer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwest
Hmmm, I think I would consider the midwest to be IN, anything in Ohio west of Columbus, MI, IL, WI, IA, the eastern half of MN, and the northern parts of MO. Maybe parts of Northern Kentucky? I definitely consider Louisville to be a midwestern city.
Anything west of this region is a Plains State. Anything east is East Coast and anything south is The South.
From a weather stand point I go with the states that make up the "Big
Ten"--except PA which came in much later. The Dakotas etc. are called
the Northern Plains while Kansas and south are called the Southern
Plains. Of course this is just the way a meteorologist would look at it.
KS is a Plains State. Plains States are in the Mid-West. Eastern states are east of the MI River. Western states are west of the MI River. Mid-west is in the middle of the western states. But, really, one's definition of Mid-West depends upon his point of reference (most likely where he was born and raised). I once heard a news caster in Boston say "Now for a news item out in the Mid-Western town of Allentown PA." Go figure!
BTW. In my dictionary, MI= Mississippi, not Michigan.
OH, IN, IL, WI, MN
Like others I consider KS as plains, but if your categories are East, West and Mid West, I don't consider West starting until the eastern borders of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico, so I could be persuaded to call KS MidWest
"Midwest" is a state of mind, not a place. I've often heard that Pasadena, California, is decidedly in the Midwest, for example.
That being said, I can think of two tests to determine that "midwesternity" of a given location:
1. Number of surrounding communities with "ville" in their name.
2. Fraction of the population that is a member of the Red Hat Society.
ooh tough, i just got told that OH isn't midwest its too far east! but i'd say OH, MI, IN, WI, IL, MN...any place that has corn and cows and lakes i'd guess.
But That's different than plain states like KS that i think of tornados and wheat fields.
I've always considered the midwest to be the area immediately south and west of the Great Lakes. Namely, IN, IL, WI, MN, KY, perhaps IA. I certainly wouldn't consider Kansas to be in the midwest: the central Plains, rather.
Dan
Before moving to IN from CA, at a young age, I considered the midwest to be located aproximately around colorado. It just makes sense geographically. The fact that the mideast isn't even included in our country is rediculous. Anyway, upon moving to IN, I came to know the midwest as IN, IL KY OH, etc. After living in the crossroads of america for a year or two, the term "midwest" came to mean any culturally deplete, bland place that lacked diversity and was a cesspool of all that is depressing and wrong with this world. This could be located anywhere that fits the discription. I no longer live in the midwest. ;o)
Viva POC West!
Ari
I gotta agree with this statement:
OH, IN, MI, IL, WI, MN, MO, and maybe IA.
I define the "plains states" (or central states) as:
ND, SD, NE, KS, and OK (and maybe IA).
I would say that it includes:
IL, IN, OH, MI, WI, IA, MI, MO, and maybe KY. Kentucky actually includes all the great things about the midwest and the south. Which do you choose?
Post a Comment
<< Home