Heartland (United States)
Encyclopedia
Heartland is an American
term referring to states of the Union that – as in the words of one commentator – "don't touch an ocean," whether the Atlantic
or Pacific
. At least as early as 2010, however, the term Heartland is used in a non-derogatory sense to not only refer to the Midwestern United States
, but also states of the Bible Belt
and any other states belonging to the so-called red state
s.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the mean center of population in the U.S. in 2010 was in or around Texas County, Missouri
. In 2000 it had been northeast from there, in Phelps County, Missouri
. It is projected for the mean center of population to leave the MidWest and enter the Western U.S.
by the middle of the twenty-first century. (Note that when Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the Union in 1960, the geographic center of the United States
moved from Smith County, Kansas
to Butte County, South Dakota
.)
American English
American English is a set of dialects of the English language used mostly in the United States. Approximately two-thirds of the world's native speakers of English live in the United States....
term referring to states of the Union that – as in the words of one commentator – "don't touch an ocean," whether the Atlantic
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
or Pacific
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. At least as early as 2010, however, the term Heartland is used in a non-derogatory sense to not only refer to the Midwestern United States
Midwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
, but also states of the Bible Belt
Bible Belt
Bible Belt is an informal term for a region in the southeastern and south-central United States in which socially conservative evangelical Protestantism is a significant part of the culture and Christian church attendance across the denominations is generally higher than the nation's average.The...
and any other states belonging to the so-called red state
Red state
Red State may refer to:* Red state, a state in the United states with a tendency toward electing Republicans* Red State , a documentary film by Michael Shea* Red State , a film by Kevin Smith...
s.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the mean center of population in the U.S. in 2010 was in or around Texas County, Missouri
Texas County, Missouri
Texas County is a county located in South Central Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the county's population was 26,008. It's county seat is Houston. The county was organized in 1843 as Ashley County, changing its name in 1845 to Texas, after the Republic of Texas. The 2010 U.S...
. In 2000 it had been northeast from there, in Phelps County, Missouri
Phelps County, Missouri
Phelps County is a county located in south-central Missouri in the United States.According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it includes the mean center of U.S. population in 2000. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 39,825. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 42,205....
. It is projected for the mean center of population to leave the MidWest and enter the Western U.S.
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
by the middle of the twenty-first century. (Note that when Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the Union in 1960, the geographic center of the United States
Geographic center of the United States
Before 1959, the National Geodetic Survey placed the center of the United States at a point near the town of Lebanon, Kansas. When Alaska and Hawaii joined the union in 1959, the NGS designated Belle Fourche , South Dakota, the geographic center of the United States...
moved from Smith County, Kansas
Smith County, Kansas
Smith County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. The county's population was 3,853 for the 2010 census. Its county seat is Smith Center. It is named in memory of Maj. J. Nelson Smith, who was part of the 2nd Colorado Cavalry, killed in action at the Battle of Westport on October 21,...
to Butte County, South Dakota
Butte County, South Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,094 people, 3,516 households, and 2,468 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile . There were 4,059 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile...
.)