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 South 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 Arizona and Idaho are the most similar Western states to the South. On the other end of the spectrum, the data shows that California is the least similar.
(Southern states defined as Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia)
Arizona, often considered a bastion of the American West, shares some surprising similarities with the South, particularly politically. They also have a few geographic parallels as well.
Politics
During the American Civil War, Arizona was aligned with the Confederacy from 1861 to 1865. Slavery was legal in Arizona, although in 1860 there were relatively few African-American slaves there.
Arizona has traditionally held conservative values, with an emphasis on individual liberties, limited government, and a conservative approach to social issues. This aligns with the political ideology typically found in Southern states. Arizona had a history of Republican dominance in statewide elections, but Democrats have made gains recently.
The immigration debate, a prominent issue in both Arizona and Southern states, plays a pivotal role in shaping political discourse. Border security concerns and discussions around immigration policies resonate strongly in Arizona and Southern states. These states tend to have laws that are more unfavorable to immigrants than the rest of the country.
Like many Southern states, Arizona has a low rate of union membership. As a result, the political influence of organized labor in Arizona is diminished. This can has affected the prioritization of labor-friendly policies at the state and local levels.
Geography
Arizona borders Mexico. It is one of the most southern states in the Western United States. As a result of their latitude, Arizona and Southern states have some of the warmest climates in the country, although Arizona is significantly drier. Still, due to irrigation in Arizona, they grow some similar crops, like cotton and citrus fruits.
