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 state in the Western region of the United States 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 Montana is the most similar Western state to the Midwest. On the other end of the spectrum, the data shows that California is the least similar.
(Midwestern states defined as Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin)
Montana has several traits in common with the Midwest, in particular, the Great Plains region. Specifically, their demographics, infrastructure, and geography have some similarities.
Demographics
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Montana, saw significant European immigration. This is one reason it has the highest percentage of people with German ancestry in the Western United States. The Midwest region also has the highest percentage of people with German ancestry in the country. In addition, Montana has the lowest percentage of people with Mexican ancestry in its region. The Midwest has a significantly lower percentage of Latinos than the Western United States.
Infrastructure
While each region is unique, there are some infrastructure-related factors that are comparable. A high percentage of people in the Midwest live in single family homes. Among states in the Western United States, Montana has the highest percentage of people who live in single family homes. Furthermore, Montana and the Midwest have many farms. They often require significant water management infrastructure. Similar irrigation systems, dams, and water conservation practices are observed in both Montana and certain Midwestern states
Geography
Montana’s topography often includes plains and rolling hills, similar to some areas in the Midwest. This contrasts with the more mountainous terrain prevalent in other Western states. Both Montana and the Midwest feature extensive agricultural land. In addition, Montana is landlocked. Similarly, all states in the Midwest do not border the ocean. Their climates are alike as well. Both Montana and the Midwest have cold winters and warm summers. Montana is also not as dry as some other Western states.
