What’s the first thing you think of when you hear “Midwest”?
Your answer could be one of many idiosyncrasies of the area, but according to those who list their properties for rent on Airbnb, it’s “the gold.”
The The Washington Post recently published the results of a data study he conducted on Airbnb, looking for properties where the owner identified “Midwest” or “Midwestern” in the descriptions.
He then delved deeper, identifying what he claims are “the most Midwestern things on the planet” by seeing which words were used the most as a selling point to potential visitors.
The Post removed any reference to place names or brand names from its analysis, noting that if they weren’t, “Hy-vee…would have topped the list.”
Instead, the large walleye fish came out on top, being mentioned in more than 80% of Airbnb listing posts described as from the Midwest in 12 states.
The second most commonly used word was “heartland,” a popular descriptor for the Midwest, especially in rural listings, while the region home to high-quality classical music will explain why Airbnb owners believe proximity to A “conservatory” or an “orchestra” is a big selling point.
“Lutheran” was the fourth most mentioned word, with several other fish making the top 15, including “bluegill,” “smallmouth,” and “bigmouth.” Outdoor activities are also on the list via “snowmobiling” and “paddle boating”, while the abundant Amish community of the Midwest is also mentioned.
Diving into Airbnb’s data also highlighted a telling finding in that Iowa property owners are most likely to use “Midwest” or “Midwestern” in the description, earning it the nickname of being “the most midwestern state in the union”. Minnesota was 9th of 12.
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