Why is Iowa often seen as being very exemplary of American culture and society? (Fayette: live, metro area)

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by skeddy

Most people see Iowa from 38,000 feet.

This a big country with more than just 2 coasts.

Get out and check it out.

[skeddy]

Originally Posted by jmgg

This a big country with more than just 2 coasts.

Get out and check it out.

I have, many times.

[Doughboy1918]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

I'd like to interject a point for consideration.

In many states there is a war if you will between the large urban center and the more rural parts of the state. In some it's minor, in others like Illinois(Chicago) it's a real thing.

I think that creates more of an us vs. them mentality along party lines and thus more division.

You just don't get that vibe in Iowa, things are just more pragmatic and neutral....topic driven.

I am not familiar enough with Ohio or Indiana as I've never lived there so just throwing out an idea.

Iowa is the only upper midwestern state of any size that has this going on, but again I lack the experience to do anything more than just wonder about it.

Downstate Illinois is much more urban than you’d think. Look at southwest Illinois, the part connected to the St. Louis metro and the suburbs of Belleville, Edwardsville, Collinsville, East St. Louis, Alton, etc. Then look at how large many towns are in the center of the state; Springfield, Decatur, Champaign, Bloomington and Peoria all have populations exceeding 75,000 people.

[Doughboy1918]

Originally Posted by westsideboy

I'm with you though, in 2023, places that typify "American culture and society" would not be geographic so much as "transplant suburban" neighborhoods near a major metro area. That is what "modern America" is to my mind.

Ehh, I kind of think in a way “typical America” is still geographic. Because the three metro areas closest to the national average demographically and statistically in 2023 are all in the Lower Midwest. Those being the Columbus, Indianapolis and Cincinnati metros.

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by skeddy

I have, many times.

Good for you.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by lthenderson

What kind of war are you referring too? At least where I live in Iowa, where you live depends greatly on where you were raised. Those raised in urban environments tend to prefer urban environments and those such as myself raised in rural environments tend to stick to rural environments. I haven't seen much of a war between those too groups. In fact, the urban environments long ago won that battle (if one calls it such) as the population of Iowa, and probably all the other Midwest states being discussed on this thread, have gravitated towards the urban areas. I can't think of a town in 100 miles of where I live that hasn't lost a lot of population over the decades of my life. The only towns/cities that are growing are the less than a handful of large urban areas here in Iowa and perhaps an associated suburb or two.

Illinois has a long standing and bitter political "war" between Chicago and the rest of the state.
For example, do you remember when the Chicago lakefront had an airport?

I noted Iowa being an exception as they don't have that population pattern.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by Doughboy1918

Downstate Illinois is much more urban than you’d think. Look at southwest Illinois, the part connected to the St. Louis metro and the suburbs of Belleville, Edwardsville, Collinsville, East St. Louis, Alton, etc. Then look at how large many towns are in the center of the state; Springfield, Decatur, Champaign, Bloomington and Peoria all have populations exceeding 75,000 people.

I've been to every town you just listed and have lived in at least one of them.

[Doughboy1918]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

I've been to every town you just listed and have lived in at least one of them.

So you agree then, downstate Illinois is not as rural as you thought and as such, there rivalry is only true for Downstate Illinoisans who live outside those aforementioned cities.

[duster1979]

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.

I have never heard that suggested once in my 56 years.

[SciFiNerd1]

In my opinion, cities in the Lower Midwest such as Indianapolis, Columbus, and Cincinnati are "typical" American. Some would also argue that Kansas City and St. Louis are included in that category too.