The Midwest & Great Plains: A Complete State List

Defining the Regions

The Midwest (East North Central & West North Central) and the Great Plains overlap significantly. The U.S. Census Bureau defines the Midwest as 12 states; the Great Plains span portions of 10 states, extending west to the Rockies.

The 12 Midwestern States (Census Definition)

1. Illinois
2. Indiana
3. Iowa
4. Kansas
5. Michigan
6. Minnesota
7. Missouri
8. Nebraska
9. North Dakota
10. Ohio
11. South Dakota
12. Wisconsin

Great Plains States (Core & Peripheral)

Core Plains States: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas (panhandle), Montana (eastern), Wyoming (eastern), Colorado (eastern), New Mexico (eastern).
Overlap: Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana (small portions).

Key Distinction

The Midwest is a cultural/economic region; the Great Plains is a physiographic region defined by flatgrass prairies. States like Iowa and Missouri are fully Midwestern but only partially Plains. Montana and Colorado are Plains but not Midwestern.