Here is another way to look
at the political division of the United States. This idea divides the US
into ten regions according to population, with each region
containing about 10% of the electorate. Each region represents about
10.5 million votes in the 2000 election. Let's look at each section:
New York City makes up
one-fifth of the Northeast Corridors votes, and overall is the most
densely populated area (96% of its residents live in urban areas).
This is the richest and most highly-educated of the ten regions.
This is also the most Democratic-voting area of the ten. The Northeast
Corridor has been the base for some of the liberal Republican candidates
in history, such as Teddy Roosevelt. Also, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was
the last president from this region.
Upper Coasts
This region is based around
two coasts. The east is centered around Boston, and the west around San
Francisco, both clearly liberal-leaning cities. The Upper Coasts region
is both relatively rich and highly-educated, but also experience high
costs of living and therefore slow population growth. This is the
second-most Democratic-voting region, behind the Northeast Corridor.
Presidential Candidates from the Upper Coasts include John F. Kerry,
Howard Dean, Joe Lieberman. Republican John McCain had his best results
in the primaries of 2000 in this region.
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes region is
centered around, as the name indicates, the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes
region tends to prefer moderate southern Democrats in presidential
elections, particularly Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. 2004 Democratic
presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich is from the Great Lakes region.
El Norte
If the name of this region
doesn't give it away, this is the most highly Hispanic region of the
ten. It also has the highest portion of its population between ages 18
and 35. While the bulk of this region traces the southwestern coast of
the United States, from San Jose, California, all the way to the
southern tip of Texas, if also includes the southern portion of Florida,
anchored by Miami, as well as the entire state of Hawaii (which is
mostly Asian-American, rather than Hispanic). This is a decidedly
Democratic region, although not by nearly as great as margin as the
Northeast Corridor or the Upper Coasts. It is also the second-most urban
area, after the Northeast Corridor.
Big River
As the name says, this region
is based around the Mississippi River, and extends down the Midwest
region of the US starting at the Canadian border. Although this is a
very moderate region in terms of education, diversity, and income, is is
a region that has produced more presidential candidates than any other.
From Presidents Harry Truman and Bill Clinton to VP's Mondale, Gore, and
Humphrey, and in a sense, Ronald Reagan, although he did move to
California at an early age. Also, 2004 presidential candidates Wesley
Clark and Richard Gephardt are from this region.
Southern
Lowlands
The Southern Lowlands has the highest African-American population of the
ten districts, and includes some of the most highly Democratic counties
in the country. However, they are in what are mostly highly conservative
states, which gives the Republican party a definitive advantage in this
region. President Jimmy Carter is from this region, as is North Carolina
Senator and 2004 Vice-Presidential candidate John Edwards.
The Farm Belt
This is the whitest region of the ten, with less than 10% of the
population comprised of both African-Americans and Hispanics combined.
This is also one of the poorest regions and least education regions,
ranking first in terms of adults who finish high school but have no
further education. Tom Daschle, from South Dakota, is from this region,
as is Nebraska's Bob Kerrey.
Appalachia
This is the only region which does not border an ocean or a Great Lake.
This is not only the most rural of the ten regions, but also the
poorest, the least educated, and the oldest in terms of its population.
As far as education, it ranks last according to the percentage of the
population that holds bachelor's and/or post-graduate degrees.
Southern
Comfort
This is the most conservative/Republican region of the country. It sits
right on the national averages for income and education, and is one of
the most highly religious areas of the country. Lyndon Johnson came from
this area, as does Tom DeLay, Katherine Harris, Trent Lott, and Phil
Gramm.
Sagebrush
While each of the ten regions represents about 10% of the country's
population, the sagebrush region represents half the land area of the
US, including parts of 17 states. Interestingly enough, this region,
while centered mostly around the western half of the country, includes
some areas of both New Hampshire and Maine. While it is not a highly
populated area, it is not the most rural of the ten regions.
Vice-President Dick Cheney is from the Sagebrush region. In general,
residents of this region prefer the more Libertarian-leaning candidates.
Source: The Massachusetts Institute for a
new Commonwealth who produced this report, which is available on
their website.
Related Links for 10 Regions of United
States Politics:
