Understanding the Regions of the United States

The United States is a geographically and culturally diverse nation, and defining its regions is a complex undertaking. Various methods are employed to categorize the country, ranging from official government classifications to shared cultural and economic factors. This article provides an overview of the primary regional divisions used within the United States, as of March 4, 2026.

Census Bureau Regions and Divisions

Since 1950, the U.S. Census Bureau has defined four statistical regions, each further divided into nine divisions. This system is “widely used for data collection and analysis” and represents the most common classification method.

Northeast

• New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
• Mid-Atlantic: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania

Midwest

• East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin
• West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota

South

• South Atlantic: Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
• East South Central: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee
• West South Central: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas

West

• Mountain: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming
• Pacific: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington

Puerto Rico and other U.S. Territories are not included within these Census Bureau regions or divisions.

Federal Reserve System Districts

The Federal Reserve Act of 1913 established twelve Federal Reserve districts, each with a central Federal Reserve Bank. These districts form a crucial part of the central banking system of the United States.

Missouri is unique in having two Federal Reserve locations within its borders, while several other states are divided between multiple districts.

Conclusion

The regional divisions of the United States serve various purposes, from statistical analysis by the Census Bureau to the management of the nation’s financial system by the Federal Reserve. Understanding these classifications provides valuable insight into the diverse landscape of the country and the ways in which it is organized, and understood.