Because almost every WV resident I’ve ever known bristles if they are accused of being non-southern. I’m sure there are exceptions, but I tend to go with how they self-identify.
And virtually every state on the east coast, with the exception of some of New England, was a slave state.
Polling data from fivethirtyeight.com: “In addition to Maryland, Oklahoma and West Virginia both pulled less than 25 percent support [for belonging to the South].”
Take that, sketchy anecdotal evidence.
Although fivethirtyeight.com’s data does jive with my own experience in actually spending time in WV, I concede all I offered was anecdotal evidence as well.
But spend some time in, say, Morgantown. Then, go spend some time in, say, Biloxi. Or Savannah. Or Baton Rouge. Wherever in the South you please.
WV ain’t Southern.
I’m not sure what they are, then. I’ve spent time in Morgantown, and the people in WV are indistinguishable from anyone I’ve met from eastern TN, western NC, North GA, etc. they’re all southern Appalachia. The people in the N. Georgia mountains don’t resemble people from the bayou, either. There are a lot of differences amongst the people who live in the South, and Mississippians represent a very small percentage of southerners.
If you’re saying they definitely aren’t southern, then which state’s residents do they resemble?
Also, your cite isn’t worth much. The people polled were from all over the country, not WVA. It doesn’t refute my experience with the residents of that state.
Well… in that case you may want to add South Jersey and parts of Pennsylvania ;).
With some of the talk about Texas not being “southern” I suspect those Texans who don’t feel that way may help the Texas voters total hit 30 before any other state’s voters get to 20!
Thanks to all who have addressed the WV issue. Maybe it was the John Denver influence but I had always felt that in spite of the differences between WV and VA the people of that state (region even) felt more akin to a Southern culture than not. I guess it’s more of a mountain culture than Southern?
I’d love to see more Tennesseans voting, but that’s how things go I suppose…
Lifelong North Carolinian here. Grew up near Charlotte, spent ten years in East Carolina, currently in Western Carolina. They’re really three separate states.
Born and raised in New England, educated and trained in Chicago, but I consider myself a Nashvillian now.
Virginia.
Well, I don’t know all the ins and outs, but when my WV-born and raised dad moved to Jacksonville, Florida, it took him about 20 minutes for his inner good ole boy to come out…
The culture is close, but not the same.
A progress report where every state has at least TWO voters so far, and Texas is out to a big lead at the top:
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View Poll Results: Which Southern USA state do you currently call home?
This poll will close on 09-22-2015 at 09:28 AM
Texas 25 20.16%
North Carolina 19 15.32%
Georgia 18 14.52%
Tennessee 11 8.87%
Florida 10 8.06%
Virginia 10 8.06%
Maryland 6 4.84%
Missouri 6 4.84%
South Carolina 4 3.23%
Alabama 3 2.42%
Louisiana 3 2.42%
Oklahoma 3 2.42%
Arkansas 2 1.61%
Kentucky 2 1.61%
Mississippi 2 1.61%
West Virginia 0 0%
Other (please specify) 0 0%
Voters: 124
===============================================================================
Note that the Top Three have exactly 50% of the votes!
Texas has a lot of people. Just the greater Houston and Dallas areas alone might out populate other whole states.
What did I write in Post #38?
And if you can’t tell Morgantown from Southern Appalachia, well you cultural awareness is probably beyond help.
Er, “your.”
My rule on deciding whether a place is “Southern” or not: Go to any restaurant that serves breakfast. Ask for grits. If the waitress looks at you funny, you ain’t in the South! 
My stepdad is from Oceana, WV. In spite of having arrived in Georgia in 1972, he isn’t Southern. His description: “I’m a hillbilly, not a cracker.”
I’ve recently moved west to Middle Tennessee from Charlotte.
It would be interesting to see who of the responders are retired or plan to retire in the state they named. I know quite a few colleagues who work in Texas ( Houston ) but will retire elsewhere.
I’m very happy in Florida and don’t ever plan to leave (though my wife is constantly asking if we can move to Long Island.)
That would be fun to know! You do know that you can click on the underscored numbers to see who has voted, right? From that data and other threads dealing with age ranges you might get a big picture of that variable.
Perhaps a new thread asking that very question…
Meanwhile, sometime overnight we have a new 20-Votes state to acknowledge:
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View Poll Results: Which Southern USA state do you currently call home?
This poll will close on 09-22-2015 at 09:28 AM
Texas 26 20.00%
Georgia 20 15.38%
North Carolina 19 14.62%
Tennessee 12 9.23%
Florida 10 7.69%
Virginia 10 7.69%
Maryland 6 4.62%
Missouri 6 4.62%
South Carolina 5 3.85%
Alabama 3 2.31%
Kentucky 3 2.31%
Louisiana 3 2.31%
Oklahoma 3 2.31%
Arkansas 2 1.54%
Mississippi 2 1.54%
West Virginia 0 0%
Other (please specify) 0 0%
Voters: 130
===============================================================================
And I need to shout out to my Tennessee neighbors for joining in! 
I’m just now seeing your reply as I made my way back through the posts thus far.
That’s a tough question! Both of them did their share! Old Nate has become a bit of a non-hero for some, but he did cut a gallant figure in the day.
BTW, Weimaraners have always been one of my top 5 breeds. That might make for a fun poll in itself! 