The United States is often split into different regions. However, the lines between these regions can sometimes be blurry. Some states exhibit traits of two different regions.
Determining the Southern state most similar to the Midwest requires considering a variety of different factors. One way to answer this complex question is by analyzing the data from the State Similarity Index. The index attempts to quantify how similar American states are to each other relative to other states, using a variety of statistics from five broad categories: demographics, culture, politics, infrastructure, and geography.
An analysis of the data shows that Kentucky is the Southern state most similar to the Midwest. On the other end of the spectrum, the data shows that Florida is the least similar.
(Midwestern states defined as Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin)
During the Civil War, Kentucky was one of the few Southern states that did not join the Confederacy, although it allowed slavery. The state also resembles the Midwest in some aspects of its demographics, infrastructure, and geography.
Geography
Kentucky borders four Midwestern states, so it is no surprise that it has a lot in common with them. Since Kentucky is located further to the north than most Southern states, it experiences four distinct seasons. Summers in Kentucky can be hot and humid, but winters are quite cold, with occasional snowfall. Like many Midwestern states, its most common crops are corn and soybeans. Furthermore, like all the Midwestern states, Kentucky does not border the ocean.
Infrastructure
As a result of the colder climate, roads in Kentucky are often salted in the winter, unlike many Southern states with milder climates. In addition, Kentucky has a strong manufacturing presence, like the Midwest. The state is home to major automobile manufacturing facilities, like Toyota, Ford, and General Motors. Due to its central location, Kentucky has become a hub for logistics and distribution centers, similar to the role played by many Midwestern states.
Demographics
Kentucky has a lower percentage of Black people than many Southern states. Like many Midwestern states, the vast majority of population is White. Another similarity is that Kentucky has a relatively high percentage of married people, for a Southern state. Marriage rates in the Midwest region tend to be higher compared to the South.
