Determining the states most similar to the Rocky Mountain region 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 data, Wyoming is the most average state in the Rocky Mountain region. It shares many geographic characteristics with the other states in the region, including vast open spaces and mountain ranges. Like most of the Rocky Mountain states, except Colorado, Wyoming tends to be politically conservative, with a strong Republican base. Compared to the rest of the country, a very high percentage of the people are White in state and the Rocky Mountain region. Like Wyoming, mining is quite prevalent in the Rocky Mountain. Furthermore, a high percentage of the people in these states own firearms.
Outside of states in the Rocky Mountain region, South Dakota has the most in common with the region. It borders both Montana and Wyoming. While it lacks the towering peaks of the Rockies, its western part has a mountainous feel due to the Badlands. It shares a lifestyle centered around ranching, farming, and a close relationship with the land. Like many states in the Rocky Mountain region, has a low population density. In addition, a high percentage of the people living there are White. The state’s politics also tend to be conservative like most states in the Rocky Mountain region.
New Jersey has far different demographics, culture, politics, infrastructure and geography from the Rocky Mountain region. New Jersey is the most densely populated state in contrast to the sparsely populated Rocky Mountain region. New Jersey’s population is also very diverse. A high percentage of its White people have Italian heritage. This is in contrast to the Rocky Mountain states that are mostly White, with German ancestry being most common. Furthermore, New Jersey has a lot of coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, while all the Rocky Mountain states are landlocked and far from the coast.
