Research Topics:

Census Data

Industry/Market Focus:

Government

Content Type:

Glossary

Census Divisions Definition

The nine census divisions (grouping of states) are: 1. Pacific: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington 2. Mountain: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming 3. West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota 4. East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin 5. West South Central: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas 6. East South Central: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee 7. South Atlantic: West Virginia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, DC 8. Middle Atlantic: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island 9. New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont.

Census divisions are the nine geographic regions established by national statistical agencies to facilitate data collection and reporting.  The divisions are: Pacific, which includes Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington; Mountain, which includes Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming; West North Central, which includes Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota; East North Central, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin; West South Central, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas; East South Central, which includes Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee; South Atlantic, which includes West Virginia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C.; Middle Atlantic, which includes New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island; and New England, which includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. The divisions provide a standardized way to organize and analyze data at regional levels, allowing for comparisons among areas. In marketing research, these divisions are used to segment and analyze market data based on regional characteristics, demographics and economic trends.

Who relies on census divisions?

Marketing professionals, businesses and researchers use census divisions data to market campaigns, plan strategy and analyze markets. Understanding regional differences and consumer behaviors is key to formulating business plans.

Why should I care about census divisions?

Insights from census division data allow marketing professionals to grasp regional variations in consumer preferences. This knowledge goes into making informed and effective marketing decisions.