What Are People's Misconceptions of the Midwest?

[DavePa]

Originally Posted by SunGrins

Coastal perceptions define the regions regardless of the true associations or geographic realities. People actually living in the Midwest might have different ideas. The “misconceptions” might depend on one’s perceptions. I have a hard time considering Ohio or West Virginia as Midwest states because of where I grew up. They seem too Eastern. The Dakotas and southward to Oklahoma seem more plains/western.

But technically. Oklahoma by the US census IS NOT considered in the US Midwest. Transitional yes. Some might include Canada to Texas even.

I NEVER heard of West Virginia placed as Midwestern. I've heard it into the Northeast..... not to me though, it remains solidly in the South. Maryland I can see placed with the Northeast though ... as Delaware is.

Ohio definitely looks toward the East more. But still again, AWAYS and technically placed with the Midwest.

I think the states that most solidly link themselves as Midwestern are -- Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and I will add Minnesota. I mean this by residents of their states if asked and by % who say Midwestern with least buts..... IMO

[IowanFarmer]

Originally Posted by FalstaffBlues

Agreed with you. I associate drier weather with the plains which is why I consider Iowa still midwestern.

Makes sense.

We do get more rain, but our most of our landscape (historically and today) looks more like the eastern halves of Nebraska, the Dakotas, Kansas (and even parts of Oklahoma), than Ohio, Michigan, or Indiana. There are places (Driftless Area particularly) that look nothing like that, and aren't part of the Plains, but the balance of the state is more akin to points west than east, IMO.