What States Are Southern In The Southern United States?

Even as a lifelong Southerner, I’ve found that defining what states are in the South isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. Renowned for its humid subtropical climate, gracious hospitality, and rich traditions, the southern united states has its distinct charm. Yet, the answer isn’t always clear-cut when specifying, “What states are southern?”.

So, if you, too, are wondering what states are considered southern, journey with me as we examine their complexities and look deeper into them geographically, historically, and culturally, reviewing their southernness. 

What States Are Southern

The states that are considered southern in the United States of America include Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. The United States Census Bureau’s definition includes the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Delaware as southern states. The Council of State Governments includes Missouri as part of the South. 

Defining The Southern United States

The Southern United States, also known as The Southland, The Southern States, The South, and occasionally referred to as Dixie (a term with historical and potentially controversial connotations), is recognized as a distinct region. However, opinions vary on which states it encompasses. Geography, climate, history, and official government definitions contribute to these differing perspectives.

Geography and Climate

The South United States’ unique geography and subtropical climate set it apart. The core states lie in the Southeastern and South Central United States, with features like bayous, coastal plains, and the Appalachian Mountains. The humid climate enables crops like tobacco, cotton, pecans, and the southeastern United States to thrive.

Demographics

The South also stands out demographically. Compared to other regions, it has higher proportions of African and European Americans descended from early English, Scottish and Irish settlers. The culture blends these and other ethnic groups.

Major Cities

Important economic centers anchor the region, like busy ports and state capitals:

• Atlanta, Georgia
• Houston, Texas
• Miami, Florida
• New Orleans, Louisiana
• Dallas, Texas
• Memphis, Tennessee
• Tampa, Florida
• Baltimore, Maryland
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• Port of Savannah
• Port of Charleston
• Port of Virginia
• Port of Houston

Original Southern States Definition

Five original states played a pivotal role in shaping the South and were part of the original thirteen colonies that formed the United States of America.

• Virginia
• Maryland
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Georgia

1607: Virginia was founded as the Colony of Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in North America. 

1632: The Province of Maryland was established by a charter granted to George Calvert, Lord Baltimore.

1670: South Carolina was settled

1712: North Carolina was officially separated and designated a separate colony. It was Initially part of the Province of Carolina. 

1712: South Carolina became a separate colony, also stemming from the Province of Carolina.

1732: Georgia was founded as the last of the original 13 colonies, as a buffer zone between the British colonies and Spanish Florida.

Core Southern States Definition

In the course of the American Civil War, which extended from 1861 to 1865, a number of states decided to withdraw from the Union and established the coalition known as the Confederate States of America.

Maryland, with its past rooted in slave ownership, occupied an unusual position as a border state, trapped between the North and South. Although there was significant support for the Confederate cause among its inhabitants, Maryland ultimately refrained from withdrawing from the Union during this tumultuous conflict.

Most commonly, definitions of the South place their emphasis primarily on these states. The states that chose to depart from the Union were:

• South Carolina
• Mississippi
• Florida
• Alabama
• Georgia
• Louisiana
• Texas
• Virginia
• Arkansas
• Tennessee
• North Carolina

United States Census Bureau Definition

Today, according to the United States Census, the states in the South consist of: 

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

Council of State Governments Definition

The Council of State Governments (CSG), a nonpartisan, non-profit organization in the United States that serves all three branches of state government, uses an even broader definition that adds:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• West Virginia

Federal Aviation Administration, Agricultural Research Service, and United States National Park Service Definition

The Federal Aviation Administration, the Agricultural Research Service, and the National Park Service broaden their definition of southern to include: 

• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Puerto Rico

Popular American Definition

In the United States, the states typically associated with the cultural, historical, and geographic characteristics commonly attributed to the South are:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• West Virginia

Popular Global Definition

Around the world, the perception of the South within the United States may vary, but some states are often recognized as representative of the Southern region because they are frequently highlighted in movies, music, and literature and are often associated with cuisine, music genres like blues and country, and historical events such as the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. The states that are most commonly associated internationally include:

• Texas
• Florida
• Louisiana
• Tennessee
• Mississippi
• Georgia
• Alabama
• South Carolina
• North Carolina

The Deep South: Civil War Landscapes

The birthplace of the Confederacy, steeped in the pivotal events of the Civil War.

What is the Deep South?

The “Deep South” refers to a specific subregion within the Southern United States known as the heart of the antebellum plantation economy, where large-scale agricultural enterprises, predominantly based on slavery, thrived before the Civil War. 

What States Are Considered The Deep South?

• Georgia
• Alabama
• Mississippi
• Louisiana
• South Carolina

The region’s economy, deeply intertwined with slavery, provided the fertile ground for the contentious states’ rights debate, which ultimately resulted in the secession of 11 states to form the Confederate States of America.

The Confederate States: Heart of the South

The 11 states in the lower South that incited one of history’s most impactful civil wars:

1. South Carolina
2. Mississippi
3. Florida
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Louisiana
7. Texas
8. Virginia
9. Arkansas
10. North Carolina
11. Tennessee

1860:

• December 20: South Carolina left the Union.

1861:

• January 9: Mississippi, recognized for the Vicksburg National Military Park, declared its departure from the Union, marking the beginning of the southern United States secession.
• January 10: despite being one of the two states often disputed as part of the Deep South, Florida detached itself from the Union. Florida’s Panhandle region, a part of the southern region, carries a rich Civil War heritage.
• January 11: Alabama, which would play a central role in the Confederate alliance and is known for its national battlefields, disassociated from the Union, contributing to the southern territories seceding.
• January 19: Georgia split from the Union with its Smoky Mountains carrying a rich Civil War history. Georgia, a region with a strong Southern identity, played a central role in the Confederate alliance.
• January 26: Louisiana, a region renowned for its cultural diversity that brings a unique flavor to the Deep South, withdrew from the Union, adding to the southern territories that were leaving.
• February 1: Texas, where East Texans identify with the Deep South despite the state’s midwestern influence, disjoined from the Union.
• April 12: The Civil War began with the Battle of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor in South Carolina, marking the first shots of the war and the start of the southern US’s fight for independence.
• April 17: Virginia, known for national historic sites like the city of Richmond, which served as the capital of the Confederate alliance, withdrew from the Union. Virginia, a region in the south, was a significant player in the Confederate alliance.
• May 6: Arkansas, known for its swamps and one of the last to leave, remained vital to the Confederate cause and disassociated from the Union, adding to the southern territories that made up the Confederate alliance.
• May 20: North Carolina, one of the last to break away but a pivotal player in important Civil War battles, detached itself from the Union. North Carolina, a region in the south, played a significant role in the war.
• June 8: Tennessee, one of the last to separate but a pivotal player in important Civil War battles, split from the Union. Tennessee, another region in the south, was a key player in the Confederate alliance.

1865:

• After four grueling years of conflict, the Confederate flag fell, and the Civil War ended with the defeat of the Confederacy. This marked a transformative period. Slavery was abolished by the 13th Amendment, and a new era dawned on the South. However, the 11 Confederate states continue to define the South, representing over 50 percent of the Civil War’s historic sites and embodying the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Reconstruction And The Rise Of Jim Crow Segregation

The Reconstruction Era (1865-1877) aimed to rebuild the war-torn South and finally establish equal civil rights for newly freed African Americans in states in the South.

But defiant resistance from most white Southerners in Alabama, Mississippi, and other states eventually led to the rollback of black rights and the imposition of oppressive Jim Crow laws strictly enforcing racial segregation in all public facilities.

Only when the hard-won victories of the 1950s-60s Civil Rights Movement did these institutionalized discriminatory policies in Delaware, Alabama, and other states in the South finally fully unravel under the leadership of courageous figures like Rosa Parks, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and others in states that make up the Southern region.

The Complicated Legacy Of Race Relations And Identity

The rich history of the southern United States encompasses a complex tapestry of events, including slavery, systemic racism, division, and inequality, notably highlighted by events like the Civil War.

This profound historical impact continues to shape society and regional identity in the South. Moreover, the struggle for racial justice and the invaluable contributions of African American culture have become integral to this region’s heritage.

Southerners take pride in their history, recognizing its significance as a vital part of their identity while actively seeking to overcome the legacy of the slave state’s past.

This historical significance continues to shape the region’s race, politics, and cultural matters.

For those intrigued by Southern history, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and pivotal battles, further exploration awaits. Feel free to delve deeper into this compelling narrative and share these stories to connect with like-minded individuals.

Unique Aspects of Southern Culture

Southern Culture encompasses a range of distinct traditions that have greatly enriched American art, food, faith, music, and literature. These cultural elements, deeply rooted in the history and heritage of the South, have left an indelible mark on the broader American cultural landscape, offering a unique and vibrant tapestry of traditions.

Southern Cuisine Reflects Deep Roots

Southern cuisine is a rich tapestry woven from the diverse threads of Native American ingredients, African cooking methods, and the experiences of enslaved people and resourceful rural farmers. It reflects a melting pot of flavors and techniques passed down through generations, creating a culinary legacy deeply rooted in history.

Native American Influences

• Staple crops like corn, beans, and squash provided the base for many dishes.
• Frybread techniques inspired Southern hushpuppies.
• Smoking and marinating practices used in Southern barbecue

African Influences

• Ingredients like okra, yams, black-eyed peas, leafy greens
• Rice-based dishes in the Low Country Gullah Geechee tradition
• Enslaved plantation cooks developed fried chicken and collard greens
• African spices used in Creole cooking

Generations of Southerners transformed simple available ingredients into the hearty, flavorful cuisine we recognize today. The complex blend of cultures created the American Southern food identity.

The Soundtrack of America Emerged from the South

The South gave birth to many quintessentially American musical genres, profoundly impacting modern popular music.

• Country ballads have origins in the Appalachian Scots-Irish folk songs. Nashville became the heart of country music.
• The blues emerged from Mississippi Delta towns with deep soulful sounds.
• Bluegrass blended fast-paced country, gospel harmonies, and bluesy nostalgia.
• New Orleans sparked innovative jazz offshoots like Dixieland jazz.
• Early rock legends from Elvis Presley to Jerry Lee Lewis started in the South.

This rich musical heritage spread worldwide, taking Southern sounds to international audiences.

Uniquely Southern Literature Examined Shared Identity

Distinct literary genres like Southern Gothic explored social dynamics and encapsulated the essence of the South:

• William Faulkner examined once-powerful decaying Mississippi families and racial dynamics.
• Flannery O’Connor wrote on morals and modern alienation in rural Georgia.
• Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird spotlighted racial injustice in Alabama.

These works resonated by probing the most pressing Southern concerns of their eras.

The Abiding Role of Evangelical Faith

Evangelical Christian denominations, especially the Southern Baptist Convention, have long dominated the religious landscape of the South. Church attendance rates remain markedly higher across the South than in other United States regions.

This deep vein of faith forms many aspects of the culture and perspectives:

Church life provides a social anchor for many communities. Wednesday prayer meetings, potlucks, choirs, and faith outreach shape local social calendars.

• The political views of many Southerners align with conservative evangelical principles on issues like abortion and gay marriage. The “Bible Belt” is a prominent Republican stronghold.
• Rates of religious volunteering and donations exceed national averages, reflecting faith put into action.
• Education debates have centered around prayer in schools, evolution, and other church-state clashes.
• Strict morality codes on alcohol consumption or racy entertainment derive from evangelical Baptist standards.

Though the dominance of evangelical Christianity has declined somewhat in recent decades, its lineage remains woven into Southern lifestyles and worldviews. The church provides a gathering point anchoring many Southern towns.

The Complexities of Defining Southern Borders

Defining the borders of the American South is a complex task with differing perspectives and interpretations. The complexity arises from various factors, each contributing to the multifaceted identity of the South, both historically and in the present day.

1. Peripheral Southern States

What States Do Not Fully Feel Southern? 

The Peripheral States, while sharing many Southern characteristics, are often seen as less central to the Southern identity. 

• Florida:
  Florida often stands out in discussions of Southern identity. Its northern areas generally align more with traditional Southern traits, while its southern regions, notably South Florida, have a broad demographic influenced heavily by Latin American and Caribbean cultures. This mix creates a fusion of both Southern and non-Southern elements.
• Texas:
  Texas has a unique identity, melding Western, Southern, and Mexican influences. Although some parts, particularly the east and central regions, showcase traditional Southern traits, the entire state is viewed as a blend of different cultural impacts.
• Virginia:
  Virginia is commonly regarded as a Southern state due to its historical role in the Confederacy and close ties to the American Civil War. However, the northern part, especially Washington D.C.’s suburbs, has become more multicultural and less in sync with typical Southern features. Northern Virginia may not identify as strongly with the traditional Southern identity as other areas in the state. 
• Maryland:
  Maryland exists on the boundary between the South and the Mid-Atlantic region. While its southern areas exhibit a stronger Southern influence, its northern parts, including Baltimore and Washington D.C. suburbs, resonate more with a Mid-Atlantic identity.
• Oklahoma:
  Located in the country’s heartland, Oklahoma is influenced by both the South and the Midwest. Some areas, particularly in the East, adhere more to traditional Southern identity, while others, particularly in the West and North, reveal a robust Midwestern influence.

2. The Question Of Border States

The categorization of border states is another area of contention. These states had institutions of slavery but did not secede from the Union to join the Confederacy during the Civil War. This unique position has led to ongoing debates about their classification.

• Kentucky and Missouri, despite allowing slavery, remained in the Union during the Civil War. However, they had Confederate factions and identity ties to the South, blurring the lines of their regional affiliation.

3. Unique Sub-Regions Within The South

The South is not a monolithic entity but a region marked by distinct cultural zones, each with unique characteristics. These include:

• Appalachia, a region that stretches across the Appalachian Mountains
• The Low Country along the Atlantic seaboard
• Areas like the Upland South and Piedmont
• Creole Louisiana, a part marked by a rich Creole influence
• The Ozarks and Upper South

4. The Concept of the New South vs. the Old South

The concept of the New South versus the Old South further complicates the region’s identity. The New South is often depicted as a more diverse, urban, and globally integrated region that has emerged since the Civil Rights era. In contrast, the Old South is associated with a more rural lifestyle and the plantation economy.

5. The Mason-Dixon Line as Symbolic Dividing Line

The Mason-Dixon line, originally the 18th-century boundary between Pennsylvania and Maryland, has come to symbolize the division between the Northeast and the South. This symbolic dividing line underscores the perceived isolation of the South from the rest of the country, further contributing to the complexities of defining its borders. 

Political Factors Also Shape Perspectives

Political disputes and ideologies have significantly shaped the regional identity of the South and the debates over its borders. These factors, ranging from differing visions of states’ rights and federal power to personal identity and census classifications, contribute to the complex definition of the South.

Different Visions of States’ Rights and Federal Power

Many Southerners have staunchly advocated for states’ rights against federal power since the nation’s founding. This issue was central to the tensions between the South and the North, particularly during the Civil War and the era of segregation. This suspicion of Washington, DC, and the federal government continues to be a significant aspect of Southern political culture.

Personal Identity Drives Views

Personal identity also plays a decisive role in shaping one’s views on Southern regional boundaries. Connections to Southern traditions, family heritage, and lived experiences allow a more flexible interpretation of the Southern borders. This personal identity often ties in with regional pride and a deep connection to the region’s rich history and traditions.

Census Classifications Complicate Things

The Census Bureau’s definition of the South includes states stretching from Maryland to Texas, a significantly broader interpretation than other sources. This classification by the federal government introduces another perspective into the discussion, further complicating the definition of the South.

There’s No Consensus, But That’s Okay

Inhabitants’ diverse politics and personal experiences ensure no consensus on the bounds of Southern identity. However, these varied views and nuanced perspectives reflect the richness of Southern regional traditions and the region’s ethnically diverse population.

Despite Changes, Southern Identity Endures

Despite immense changes since the era of plantations and segregation, modern Southern identity persists and continues to evolve. This enduring identity is a testament to the resilience of the South and its people.

The Political History Remains Relevant

The South’s political history, marked by the Confederacy, slavery, and Jim Crow laws, has left a legacy of inequality. While some cling to false narratives of the past, the contributions of African American culture and leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are rightfully celebrated. This complex past remains relevant in discussions about the South’s identity.

Cultural Traditions Anchor Identity

Despite globalization and modernization, vibrant Southern traditions like faith, food, language, music, and community have endured. These cultural traditions, from soul food and barbecue to country and blues music, have adapted over time but continue to provide a sense of continuity and identity for the South.

The Debates Reinforce Shared Identity

The ongoing debates over the South’s borders and identity reinforce the interconnected identities of Southerners. These discussions invite participation in shaping a collective Southern consciousness, further strengthening the region’s shared identity.

Watch The Southern Regions Unfold

🎬 Review the Southern regions we discussed and enjoy this visual journey!

CREDIT: Astrokey44 derivative work: Swarm, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Your Questions, My Answers

My Final Thoughts

The Southern United States, from Alabama to Oklahoma to Delaware, is rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. The South’s legacy as a former slave region intertwines with the complexities of its historical and present-day social dynamics. The Southern US continues to evoke fascination and curiosity, from the prestigious horse races of the Kentucky Derby to the enduring connection to its past. As we consider the states that make up our beloved American South, we should cherish our stories, experiences, and traditions that have woven us into a vibrant cultural fabric.

Scribble Of The Day: Southern States Quote