Marketing Research and Insight Glossary

Definitions, common uses and explanations of 1,500+ key market research terms and phrases.

What are Census Regions?

Research Topics:
Census Data
Industry/Market Focus:
Government
Content Type:
Glossary
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Census Regions Definition

The four census regions (groupings of states) are: 1. West: Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. 2. Midwest: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. 3. South: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Delaware, and Tennessee. 4. Northeast: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Census regions are geographical divisions of a country, typically established by national statistical agencies for data collection and analysis purposes. The regions provide a structure for analyzing and interpreting geographic data. There are four census regions in the United States: West, including Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Nevada; Midwest, including North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan; South, including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Delaware and Tennessee; and Northeast, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. In marketing research, census regions combine states with similar characteristics, thus helping to analyze consumer behavior, preferences and trends on a regional level.

Who relies on census regions?

For businesses, market professionals and researchers, data from census regions data is used for targeted marketing campaigns, market segmentation and strategic decision-making. A deeper understanding of regional variations can lead marketing professionals to tailor campaigns that resonate with specific geographic audiences. What’s more, the data can be used to identify untapped market opportunities, craft regional campaigns, allocate resources efficiently and adapt distinct product strategies.

Why should I care about census regions?

Data from census regions provides insights into diverse regional preferences, economic factors, cultural nuance and purchasing behaviors. This knowledge can optimize marketing efforts and create products and services for different geographic areas.