For millions of centuries scientists, researches, philosophers, religious prophets and scholars from all over the world have been seeking the answer to one simple question: Which part of America constitutes the Midwest?
I got a team together and made it my life’s mission one simple afternoon in rural Colombia to figure out this question. This team (Editors note: The team consisted of myself, and what I think my cat Chance would think if he were a person instead of a cat) developed a point based system based on several criteria to get to the bottom of this. After thoroughly analyzing each state’s geography, population breakdown, farming trends, political leans, and Big 10 Sports teams the committee came up with a list of the most Midwest places in the world.
The results may surprise you in some cases. This just means you’re wrong. This is pure science. I’m sorry about your invalid opinions.
The core of the Midwest
1(tie). Wisconsin-18 pts
1(tie). Michigan- 18 pts
3. Illinois 17 pts
4(tie). Indiana 16 pts
4(tie) Ohio 16 pts
The ultimate Midwest states wound up being a tie between Michigan and Wisconsin. Both received extra points for being states that touch multiple great lakes. Michigan briefly pulled ahead for a second on the strength of having multiple big 10 Teams, but Wisconsin made up for it with an ever harsher winter and it’s distinctive farming culture.
Despite holding the Midwest’s capital Chicago within it’s borders, Illinois wasn’t able to grab the top spot. The main issue being how noticeably more progressive the state is than it’s more purple brethren.
Indiana and Ohio are boring.
Definite, yet not Core Midwest
6. Minnesota 15 pts
7 (tie). Iowa 13 pts
Parts are definitely Midwest
7 (tie). Pennsylvania 13 pts
9. Missouri 10 pts
Minnesota was the most surprisingly low state on the list. I thought it would’ve made top 5 before doing the exercise. For those wondering why the committee decided to draw the line between core Midwest, and not quite core Midwest at 15.5 points leaving Minnesota on the outside looking in?
Simple. To troll Connor. Chance’s decision not mine.
I thought Iowa would be higher as well, but the Hawkeye State starts to get a ways out west and don’t come particularly close to even touching a Great Lake.
Pennsylvania and Missouri and were the first 2 states where you can start splitting the state into different geographic areas. The Philly area isn’t midwest, but Pittsburgh and the surrounding area serves as a textbook example. Same with Saint Louis. Extremely Midwest. By the time you hit, the Ozarks though the southern draws are strong and Waffle Houses are everywhere. Mizzou doesn’t even play in the Big 10, but the SEC.
Others Receiving Votes
Nebraska 6 pts
The Dakota’s 5 pts
Kansas 4 pts
Kentucky 3 pts
Eastern Nebraska, namely Omaha and Lincoln probably belong in the Midwest. That being said the more extreme rural parts west of Lincoln starts to get into something completely different.
Nebraska, and really all of these other states until Kentucky are examples of why I think there ought to be a clear distinction between Midwest states and Great Plain’s states. A Midwest is a moderate state with a marquee urban center close to or on a Great Lake that serves as the economic hub for the more rural parts of the rest of the state. Great Plain states are noticeably more rural and conservative. Don’t even think of putting Oklahoma in the Midwest.
The Grand Exception
New York 10 pts
This was the biggest surprise from the exercise, but upon further examination it makes sense. Start with Buffalo. Buffalo fits the classic mold of a rustbelt Midwest city. It’s population has dropped post World War II and with the rise of suburbinization. It is on a great lake, has a really harsh winter, and is apparently a great place to be in the summer. It’s also known for it’s segregation. Nothing quite says Midwest quite like like a noticeable economic gap being white and black people!
New York was also the third state to touch more than one great lake (geography is crazy!) other than Michigan and Wisconsin.
Finally, if you remove New York City, the rest of the state would have gone +1 for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election making it about a purple of state as you can find. Just let NYC and the rest of Long Island loose, add Syracuse in the Big 10, and you’ve got a state that’s at least as Midwest as Iowa.
Ultimately we decided just can’t remove a place as grand as New York City when in a situation like this. New York belongs in it’s own category. Let the scholars decide this one.
Bulls NBA HQ 