Why is Iowa often seen as being very exemplary of American culture and society? (Des Moines: fit in, movies)

[Doughboy1918]

Iowa is often regarded as somewhere that very much typifies American culture and society in the media, but personally I'm not sure why this is.

For one thing, being situated west of the Mississippi River, it was not permenantly settled by Euro-Americans until as late as the 1830s, meaning that it's history is somewhat different and partially also why it never truly industrialized at the same rate as most of the country. Consequently, it's economy largely remained agricultural and never fully diversified either.

Even it's largest metro only has 750,000 people. I could be wrong, but it would seem the average American lives in a metro of at least 2 million residents.

Although it's close to the center of the United States literally speaking, the center of the US population has always been near the Ohio River, around southern Indiana, which Iowa is quite a far away from.

Iowa to me though does seem to be very much representative of an 'old', pre-suburban sprawl era of America, which conservatives of course often idolize, but definitely not a modern template of the country.

But I don't know, what's your thoughts on this? Do you think Iowa is a microcosm of America? Let me know.

[Mathguy]

I grew up in that vicinity. I have lived in towns ranging from thousands to millions. So here is my opinion:

1) Iowa is pretty moderate and doesn't tend to put up with a lot of the BS extremes you see in other areas.
Thus it is viewed as a bell weather of how moderates will vote and thus tip a presidential election for example.

2) Geographical population weighting is meaningless with regards to culture\society.

3) The internet means that the people in Iowa see all the same sports, movies etc. that everyone else does.

4) There seems to be this almost snobbish vibe of how you have to live in a large city to "understand things" or have a "valued opinion". The most ignorance I've seen, is in the largest and smallest of cities...some due to hubris, some just lack of exposure to things.

[Doughboy1918]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

I grew up in that vicinity. I have lived in towns ranging from thousands to millions. So here is my opinion:

1) Iowa is pretty moderate and doesn't tend to put up with a lot of the BS extremes you see in other areas.
Thus it is viewed as a bell weather of how moderates will vote and thus tip a presidential election for example.

2) Geographical population weighting is meaningless with regards to culture\society.

3) The internet means that the people in Iowa see all the same sports, movies etc. that everyone else does.

4) There seems to be this almost snobbish vibe of how you have to live in a large city to "understand things" or have a "valued opinion". The most ignorance I've seen, is in the largest and smallest of cities...some due to hubris, some just lack of exposure to things.

But surely somewhere like Ohio or Indiana is a better example of this than Iowa? Both states have all of what you describe while also having a population density closer to that of the national average. When I said most Americans live in a metro area of at least 2 million, I didn't mean somewhere as urban as New York or LA, but rather somewhere like the Cincinnati or Indianapolis metro (between 2 and 4 million people).

[eddie gein]

Iowa to me though does seem to be very much representative of an 'old', pre-suburban sprawl era of America, which conservatives of course often idolize, but definitely not a modern template of the country.

This probably isn't an unfair assessment although some people might be offended by it.

Iowa gets that rep though, in a way because it is a really good state to represent the "heartland" of the country. A broad expanse of states all have a little bit of Iowa in them. And most of those things are positive in a lot of people's eyes.

Sure if you want to claim Iowa is too white, or old, or old fashioned or whatever... that's fine. But there is a lot of middle America that is pretty much just that.

[Doughboy1918]

Originally Posted by eddie gein

This probably isn't an unfair assessment although some people might be offended by it.

Iowa gets that rep though, in a way because it is a really good state to represent the "heartland" of the country. A broad expanse of states all have a little bit of Iowa in them. And most of those things are positive in a lot of people's eyes.

Sure if you want to claim Iowa is too white, or old, or old fashioned or whatever... that's fine. But there is a lot of middle America that is pretty much just that.

Personally I don’t think ‘Middle America’ is somewhere that represents a place where relationships are kind and well-fastened, where family patterns are easily repeated, where marriages endure etc. just somewhere that represents the national condition as a whole, whether that be good or bad. Places like Illinois, Indiana and especially Ohio, embody this more than Iowa, in my opinion.

[scatteredthunder]

Originally Posted by Doughboy1918

Iowa is often regarded as somewhere that very much typifies American culture and society in the media, but personally I'm not sure why this is.

For one thing, being situated west of the Mississippi River, it was not permenantly settled by Euro-Americans until as late as the 1830s, meaning that it's history is somewhat different and partially also why it never truly industrialized at the same rate as most of the country. Consequently, it's economy largely remained agricultural and never fully diversified either.

Even it's largest metro only has 750,000 people. I could be wrong, but it would seem the average American lives in a metro of at least 2 million residents.

Although it's close to the center of the United States literally speaking, the center of the US population has always been near the Ohio River, around southern Indiana, which Iowa is quite a far away from.

Iowa to me though does seem to be very much representative of an 'old', pre-suburban sprawl era of America, which conservatives of course often idolize, but definitely not a modern template of the country.

But I don't know, what's your thoughts on this? Do you think Iowa is a microcosm of America? Let me know.

Is this entirely about being a caucus location (as the responses kind of suggest to me) or just general questions? Because aside from the caucus - when this kind of thing comes up - I don't see it. The media overall doesn't pay much attention to Iowa otherwise. We certainly don't represent or embody American culture. I'd pin that more on California or NYC. Iowa tends to represent farm country, the "bread basket" and so on, which it is, but it's certainly not the only place for that. It could maybe be a microcosm of the Midwest US and its values - sort of - but I don't see it for the US at large.

[Doughboy1918]

Originally Posted by scatteredthunder

Is this entirely about being a caucus location (as the responses kind of suggest to me) or just general questions? Because aside from the caucus - when this kind of thing comes up - I don't see it. The media overall doesn't pay much attention to Iowa otherwise. We certainly don't represent or embody American culture. I'd pin that more on California or NYC. Iowa tends to represent farm country, the "bread basket" and so on, which it is, but it's certainly not the only place for that. It could maybe be a microcosm of the Midwest US and its values - sort of - but I don't see it for the US at large.

Really? I was always of the impression that the Midwest was seen as the place that typified American culture most, particularly Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska Iowa and Kansas. The last three of which I disagree with however for reasons I point out in this thread.

[scatteredthunder]

Originally Posted by Doughboy1918

Really? I was always of the impression that the Midwest was seen as the place that typified American culture most, particularly Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska Iowa and Kansas. The last three of which I disagree with however for reasons I point out in this thread.

Meh. On one hand, I could see how Midwestern attitudes and personality (and all the old farms, more falling down than not) could sort of resemble some old Americana of decades past. I don’t know if it’s any more special than several other states. Any of the plains states and the “Wild West” also fit into that early US image. Or the West Coast states with the Gold Rush and the chances for opportunity there.

[Boothwynman]

Originally Posted by Doughboy1918

Although it's close to the center of the United States literally speaking, the center of the US population has always been near the Ohio River, around southern Indiana, which Iowa is quite a far away from.

Depends on "mean center" or "median center". In 2020 the mean US population center was not in southern Indiana but in southern Missouri, 15 miles from Hartville.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mean_c...tes_population

While the median center was indeed in SW IN, in Gibson County. John Mellencamp would be proud. Maybe Larry Bird, David Letterman, Jane Pauley, and Joyce DeWitt too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median...on_2020_Census.

[lthenderson]

Originally Posted by Doughboy1918

Iowa is often regarded as somewhere that very much typifies American culture and society in the media, but personally I'm not sure why this is.

But I don't know, what's your thoughts on this? Do you think Iowa is a microcosm of America? Let me know.

Since when does the media get anything right? The media is self serving and portray things in a way to sell advertising and generate revenue. While I'm not suggesting that they lie about things as some do, I often feel as if stories are slanted to portray a vision. As said above, about the only time I ever see Iowa portrayed as anything is when it comes to caucus night and they are trying to lump all of Iowa into one mold. Spend time out here in rural Iowa and it feels exactly like rural Indiana, rural Illinois, etc. Spend time in downtown Des Moines or Waterloo, and I don't think if feels any different than time I have spent in Indianapolis or Cincinnati, etc.

I have always lived in rural Iowa but am well traveled. I find what I consider "typical" Americans where ever I go. Anybody who says Iowa is the model for our country is either an Iowan with an ego issue or somebody who has never spent any time here. I love my state and have no desire to live elsewhere. But that mostly comes to my friends and family being here and for geography/weather related reasons. It has nothing to do with how the media or anyone else portrays the residents of our state.