Determining the states most similar to the Midwest requires considering various social, cultural, economic, and political 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 states are to each other relative to other states, using a variety of statistics from five broad categories: demographics, culture, politics, infrastructure, and geography.
According to the Index, Wisconsin is the most average state in the Midwest. It is centrally located within the region, sharing characteristics with both the western and eastern parts of the Midwest. Wisconsin has a strong agricultural tradition, which is a common characteristic of many Midwest states. The state’s farming practices, including dairy farming, align with the broader agricultural landscape of the region. Wisconsin also has a significant manufacturing sector, particularly in industries like machinery, food processing, and paper production, so it is part of the Rust Belt. Wisconsin’s demographics, including its median age, racial composition, and education level mirror the Midwest as a whole.
Pennsylvania shares many traits with the Midwest, although it is more mountainous and forested due to the Appalachian Mountains. Historically, many Pennsylvanians migrated to the Midwest for its fertile lands. Pennsylvania has a significant population of German ancestry, similar to the Midwest. It also has lower education and income levels compared to other Northeastern states. Politically, Pennsylvania is moderate, often electing both Democratic and Republican representatives, with policies on minimum wage, marijuana, and abortion aligning more with the Midwest. With respect to infrastructure, both Pennsylvania and the Midwest are part of the Rust Belt and have large transportation networks crucial for moving goods.
Hawaii has far different demographics, culture, politics, infrastructure and geography from the Midwest. It has a much higher percentage of Asian people and a lower percentage of White people. Interestingly enough, Hawaii has the highest percentage of Buddhists in the United States. Hawaii is also one of the most liberal states and in recent years almost always votes for Democrats. Hawaii is much more mountainous than the Midwest and has a lower percentage of farmland. Its climate is much hotter than the Midwest’s since it is so far south. Due to its isolation in the Pacific Ocean, few goods are manufactured in Hawaii. Unlike the Midwest, none of its goods are carried by freight trains.
