Is Springfield more culturally aligned with Southwestern or Central Ohio? (Columbus: university, stations)

[Doughboy1918]

This is something I wondered. Is Springfield geographically and culturally more a part of Central Ohio or Southwestern? Southwestern Ohio overwhelmingly is of course defined by the Cincinnati-Dayton combined urban area, or the Miami Valley. Springfield isn't part of this even though it is directly adjacent, but at the same time it is not included in the Columbus metropolitan area, despite being only 45 minutes from the downtown district of the city.

Personally, I think it has more in common with Central Ohio. For one thing, it had less Appalachian migrants throughout its history than in Dayton and Cincinnati, and Ohio State is much more popular of a university than Miami, Wright State and University of Cincinnati.

[midwest1]

Springfield is more connected to Dayton than CBus. It is considered part of the Dayton MSA.

[Doughboy1918]

Originally Posted by midwest1

Springfield is more connected to Dayton than CBus. It is considered part of the Dayton MSA.

It is not.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayton_metropolitan_area

[midwest1]

http://censusreporter.dokku.censusre...tering-oh-csa/

It is just semantics. Same combined statistical area. Springfield sits on the Mad River...which flows from Springfield to Dayton.

It is 25 miles from Dayton, 45 from Columbus. This is actually a rather silly question you pose

[Natural510]

Springfield gets the Dayton TV stations so yes it is our greater MSA. The question is a good one; I’d say Springfield is a mixture of both Central and SW Ohio since people align with both Dayton and Columbus, but with the Appalachian population I’d say we’re closer to SWOhio culturally.

[Doughboy1918]

Originally Posted by Natural510

but with the Appalachian population I’d say we’re closer to SWOhio culturally.

Really? All from what I've read Appalachian migration to Springfield was milder than all other parts of Southern Ohio.

On a side note, the acclaimed book "American Nations" by Colin Woodard has Springfield (Clark County) as part of the Midlands, while all of SW Ohio as part of Greater Appalachia
https://i.insider.com/55b273a2371d22...jpeg&auto=webp

[Doughboy1918]

Originally Posted by midwest1

http://censusreporter.dokku.censusre...tering-oh-csa/

It is just semantics. Same combined statistical area. Springfield sits on the Mad River...which flows from Springfield to Dayton.

As does the Scioto River all the way through Columbus down to Portsmouth on the border to Kentucky. Yet these two cities are certainly not considered part of the same culturally region. That's just one of many examples.

It is 25 miles from Dayton, 45 from Columbus. This is actually a rather silly question you pose

It is literally one county west of all that are considered part of Columbus' metro area. Likewise it is one shy northeast of being part of Dayton's.

[midwest1]

Springfield is only 20 miles from Wright-Pat AFB. The Dayton areas largest employer.

If Columbus had sprawled to the west and south as much as it has sprawled to the north and east, it might exercise more influence on Springfield, but that isn't the case.

Dayton otoh has grown to the East and SW/S....growing closer to Springfield. The fastest growing area of Metro Dayton is within an easy commute of Springfield .

[midwest1]

Having said that, Springfield could certainly leverage its proximity to CBus...which I've heard is beginning to happen.

[Doughboy1918]

Originally Posted by midwest1

Having said that, Springfield could certainly leverage its proximity to CBus...which I've heard is beginning to happen.

Elaborate?