Northwest Arkansas is southern. But how southern is it?

[Phil75230]

First thing is "Which 'South' are you talking about?"

The Scarlett O'Hara, moonlight-and-magnolia South? Then the answer is a clear and simple No. NWA is definitely not that (go to the Mississippi River area if you want to see that. Even better, across the river into Mississippi's Delta region.

The Upland South? Altitude, climate, and landscape wise, and climatically, definitely Yes. This is especially true if you take a climate geek's perspective (i.e. average temperature of the coldest month is over 32F/0C. Think of the average temperature on a January day between 10 and 11am, and that's likely the average temperature for the day). No need to go into altitude and landscape, since these should be obvious to anyone with even only a book-knowledge of NWA.

Day-to-day cultural habits: This is one I know the least about, admittedly. In fact, my knowledge of NWA is limited only to book knowledge and statistics -- plus what I see on Google Earth. Still, it's wise to ask "Is this aspect of NWA really all that different from what you're likely to see in rural-small city Middle America in general?".

*Iced Tea as a signature drink - Don't know about this one.

*"Rebel Flags" a frequent sight - Ditto, although extrapolating from another likewise Borderline-if-at-all area (North Central TX's rural areas), my guess is that the flag would not be as frequent here as in south and east AR.

*High % of members of Southern Baptist and various Pentecostal churches: Very likely true.

*Heavy African-American influence on the culture? Ditto, unless you count African-American influenced or sourced cultural elements and trends present pretty much everywhere else in the USA (which is not the real issue here)

*Grits as food - again, I have no idea, but I wouldn't be surprised.

In the end, I have to say NWA is one of the transition zone areas -- not classic/archetypical 'Southern', but certainly with many 'Southern' elements.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Phil75230

First thing is "Which 'South' are you talking about?"

The Scarlett O'Hara, moonlight-and-magnolia South? Then the answer is a clear and simple No. NWA is definitely not that (go to the Mississippi River area if you want to see that. Even better, across the river into Mississippi's Delta region.

The Upland South? Altitude, climate, and landscape wise, and climatically, definitely Yes. This is especially true if you take a climate geek's perspective (i.e. average temperature of the coldest month is over 32F/0C. Think of the average temperature on a January day between 10 and 11am, and that's likely the average temperature for the day). No need to go into altitude and landscape, since these should be obvious to anyone with even only a book-knowledge of NWA.

Day-to-day cultural habits: This is one I know the least about, admittedly. In fact, my knowledge of NWA is limited only to book knowledge and statistics -- plus what I see on Google Earth. Still, it's wise to ask "Is this aspect of NWA really all that different from what you're likely to see in rural-small city Middle America in general?".

*Iced Tea as a signature drink - Don't know about this one.

*"Rebel Flags" a frequent sight - Ditto, although extrapolating from another likewise Borderline-if-at-all area (North Central TX's rural areas), my guess is that the flag would not be as frequent here as in south and east AR.

*High % of members of Southern Baptist and various Pentecostal churches: Very likely true.

*Heavy African-American influence on the culture? Ditto, unless you count African-American influenced or sourced cultural elements and trends present pretty much everywhere else in the USA (which is not the real issue here)

*Grits as food - again, I have no idea, but I wouldn't be surprised.

In the end, I have to say NWA is one of the transition zone areas -- not classic/archetypical 'Southern', but certainly with many 'Southern' elements.

Very good analogy. we are not a typical southern state, but we are south, both geographically and in some ways culturally. It also depends on where you live? Are we talking about some of the small rural towns or are we talking about the 540 corridor?

[Arky1789]

Very southern indeed.

[TexrzrbakJr]

Arkansas isn't western or Midwestern as someone stated. It remains a very southern state. To the extent that its changing its because of younger generations and folks moving in from other areas of he county.

[thegreenflute334]

Originally Posted by TexrzrbakJr

Arkansas isn't western or Midwestern as someone stated. It remains a very southern state. To the extent that its changing its because of younger generations and folks moving in from other areas of he county.

I met someone from SE Arkansas yesterday that just moved to NW AR ( actually just down the street from me). Oh, her accent is so sweet! I love it! She said she was originally from New Orleans and hated this weather here..but I loved her voice. Now to me... this is superb southern hospitality!

Edit: SE AR and New Orleans are only 5-6 hours away from each other. I never knew that.