What states are in the Midwest of the United States? OKLAHOMA is considered the Midwest?! Midwestern US

Hi there!

 

Well, as it turns out, what is considered the “midwest” in the United States is a lot about perspective and where you are from!

I am midwest born and raised.

I was born in Chicago.

I was raised in Michigan.

 

Explore the map.

 

As I look at a map of the United States to answer this question of “what states are part of the Midwest,” I find myself identifying the states that I would call “solidly midwest” as having something in common.

They all touch one of the Great Lakes.

They all touch either Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and/or Lake Erie.

 

👆 Lake Michigan is one of the best places to visit in the Midwest.

 

👆 Lake Superior is one of the best places to visit in the Midwest.

 

 

 

What states are considered the Midwest of the United States?

According to someone from Michigan, these are the states that are most definitely a part of the Midwest of the United States:

• Michigan
• Ohio
• Indiana
• Illinois
• Wisconsin
• Minnesota

That someone from Michigan would be me. 😜

 

And as it turns out, depending on where you’re from, you will have a different definition of what the Midwest is.

 

 

Is Oklahoma considered the midwest?

I once met someone that casually mentioned that he was from the Midwest.

Oh really?! Me too! Where in the midwest?

It turns out, he was from Oklahoma.

Oklahoma is considered the Midwest?!?!

I literally had no idea that anyone would call Oklahoma the midwest.

No, I would never consider Oklahoma to be the Midwest.

But apparently, Oklahoma is the midwest to some people.

 

 

Is Iowa considered the midwest? Is Missouri considered the midwest?

If you look at google images of a Midwest map, you will see Iowa and Missouri as part of the Midwest.

Sure, I guess if I’m considering Minnesota as the midwest (Iowa and Missouri are directly north of both of these states), and if I’m considering Illinois as the midwest (Iowa and Missouri border Illinois directly to the west), then I guess it would make sense that Iowa and Missouri are part of the Midwest.

The University of Iowa is part of the Big Ten.

So sure I guess we have something in common.

So sure I guess that’s another reason I’m okay with calling Iowa the Midwest too.

Most of the Big Ten is made up of colleges from the “midwest” as previously defined by me.

 

 

Is Nebraska considered the midwest? Is Kansas considered the midwest?

And then Nebraska and Kansas are also seen on a Midwest map.

Since these 2 states are directly west of Iowa and Missouri, um I guess sure they are also the midwest.

The University of Nebraska is part of the Big Ten.

So again sure I guess we have something in common.

So sure I guess that’s another reason I’m okay with calling Nebraska the Midwest too.

 

👆 Toadstool Geologic Park in Oglala National Grassland is one of the best places to visit in the Midwest… if you consider Nebraska to be the midwest.

 

 

Is North Dakota considered the midwest? Is South Dakota considered the midwest?

And then North Dakota and South Dakota are also seen on many maps as part of the Midwest.

I feel like being from Michigan, I do not identify with North Dakota and South Dakota at all.

They seem like far away lands.

So I just don’t really consider the Dakotas to be the midwest either.

Coming from Michigan, a trip to North Dakota or South Dakota is a road trip out west, not a trip to another place “in the region”!

 

👆 Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of the best places to visit in the Midwest… if you consider North Dakota to be the midwest.

 

👆 Badlands National Park is one of the best places to visit in the Midwest… if you consider South Dakota to be the midwest.

 

 

Is Kentucky considered the midwest?

On some Midwest maps, although not as many, Kentucky is also included as part of the Midwest.

I’m not sure about that either.

I think I would consider Kentucky to be the start of the south.

Plus, in Kentucky they even talk with a southern accent… so clearly they are part of the south. 😜

 

Mammoth Cave National Park is one of the best places to visit in the Midwest… if you consider Kentucky to be the midwest.

 

 

And so, my definition of the midwest revolves around Michigan.

😜

 

Plan your trip to the best places to visit in the Midwest!

• Best places to visit in Michigan
• Best camping spots in Michigan
• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park
• Best places to visit in South Dakota
• Best camping spots in South Dakota
• Badlands National Park