The U.S. Census Bureau’s four statistical regions and nine divisions, a system established in 1950, continue to be the most commonly used classification system for data collection and analysis across the federal government, according to a review of regional definitions.
These regions – Northeast, Midwest, South and West – are further subdivided into divisions. The Northeast includes Latest England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) and the Mid-Atlantic (New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania). The Midwest is comprised of the East North Central (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin) and West North Central (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota). The South is divided into the South Atlantic (Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia) and East South Central (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee). The West includes the Mountain (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) and Pacific (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington) divisions.
The Census Bureau’s regional definitions are “widely used” for data collection and analysis, and are considered the standard classification system. This system is utilized by various federal agencies, including those involved in economic planning and resource allocation.
Beyond the Census Bureau’s classifications, the Federal Reserve System too divides the country into twelve districts, each with a central Federal Reserve Bank. These districts form a key component 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.
Puerto Rico and other U.S. Territories are not included within the Census Bureau’s regional or divisional classifications. The territories are treated separately for statistical purposes.
