Southern vs. Southwestern U.S. States: Count Difference

The U.S. Census Bureau defines 16 states in the South and 4 states in the Southwest — a difference of 12 states.

Census Divisions

South Region (16 states)

• South Atlantic (9): DE, MD, DC, VA, WV, NC, SC, GA, FL
• East South Central (4): KY, TN, AL, MS
• West South Central (4): AR, LA, OK, TX

West Region — Mountain Division (Southwest subset: 4 states)

• Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas — *Wait, OK & TX are in West South Central (South).*

Correction: The "Southwest" is not a Census division. Common definitions vary:

• Core Southwest (4): AZ, NM, NV, UT (sometimes CO).
• Broader Southwest (6–8): + CA, TX, OK, CO.

Using the Source's Numbers

The provided answer states: "Southern region encompasses 16 states, Southwestern region comprises only four states. Therefore, the Southern region has twelve more states." This aligns with a definition where:

• South = Census South (16)
• Southwest = AZ, NM, NV, UT (4)

Difference: 16 − 4 = 12 states.

Why Definitions Vary

• Census: South (16), West (13) — no "Southwest" division.
• Cultural: Southwest = Spanish/Mexican heritage, arid, Indigenous Pueblo/Navajo.
• Ecological: Chihuahuan/Sonoran/Mojave Deserts.
• Political: "Sun Belt" overlaps both.

For precision, specify the definition. The 12-state gap holds only for that specific pairing.