Which states are Upper Midwest?

[King of Kensington]

There seems to be two different conceptions of what constitutes the Upper Midwest.

The more common one seems to be centered in Minnesota and is characterized by its large Scandinavian/German and Lutheran presence

The other definition seems to be defined by Yankee culture and lakes.

Pretty much every definition I think includes Minnesota and Wisconsin.  The "Yankees and lakes" obviously takes in Michigan, while the "Greater Minnesota" would take in the Dakotas and perhaps Iowa.

[King of Kensington]

So far Yankees and lakes is outpolling Germans, Scandinavians and Lutherans. 

[King of Kensington]

I voted AOTA, except for Illinois.

So far Yankees and lakes is outpolling Germans, Scandinavians and Lutherans. 

I associate my region quite a bit with the latter (though I'm not sure why we can't be called "Yankees") and I hesitated on voting for Michigan because it's clearly a Rustbelt sate with considerably less German and Scandinavian influence.  I ultimately included Michigan because of its northern location.

I don't really associate the Dakotas with lakes and the further west along the northern migration the less Yankee influence.  Michigan is the most Yankee state in the Midwest; Minnesota is the epicenter of the Scandinavian/Lutheran heartland.

[King of Kensington]

I'm still undecided.

[King of Kensington]

So what are the defining characteristics of this area?

[King of Kensington]

The Center for the Study of Upper Midwestern Cultures says the Upper Midwest is made up of Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

[King of Kensington]

So far 75% place Michigan in the Upper Midwest and less than half include the Dakotas.