Is South Dakota in the Midwest? New poll seeks to define regional boundaries

Some regions identify as Midwestern beyond traditional boundaries

Where is the Midwest?

That’s a question scholars have been asking since the American expansion ran out of land at the Pacific Ocean, and the Frontier came to a close. What was once considered the Midwest – western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio – might better be thought of as closer to East Coast than Midwest. And sure enough, both are in the Eastern Time Zone.

Some states are indisputably Midwestern. Iowa, for one.

'Stealthing' brings calls to penalize nonconsensual removal of condoms

But self-identity plays an important role in defining regional boundaries, and a new poll sponsored by Middle West Review seeks to define the boundaries of the Midwest, based on the identities of state inhabitants. The poll, conducted by Emerson College, keyed on 2,000 residents each in South Dakota, Colorado, Missouri and Ohio.

Among the Ohioans, they were asked whether they lived in the Midwest, South or Appalachia; Missourians were asked if they lived in the Midwest or South; the Coloradans and South Dakotans were asked if they lived in the Midwest, Great Plains or West.

South Dakota politico, media personality arrested on aggravated assault

Violent crime in S.D. continues downward trend