The longer I live and work in the New Heartland, the more grateful I am to be rooted here. This region – stretching across 26 states in the Midwest, Southwest and most of the Southeast – has a way of grounding you, shaping you, and reminding you of what really matters.
It’s not just where I live. It’s a big part of who I am.
Here are 11 things I love about being a New Heartlander – traits I see every day in communities from Frostproof, Florida to Fargo, North Dakota. And what’s interesting? These values don’t just live here anymore. Since COVID and the great migration from the coasts, the New Heartland way of life has become something more: a mindset. One that resonates with millions of Americans, regardless of ZIP code.
1. Pride
There’s a quiet, deep pride in the New Heartland – not just in being American, but in how you live, who raised you and what you stand for. Pride here shows up in family stories, in church pews, in small businesses passed down through generations. It’s not about waving flags (though plenty do). It’s about showing up, working hard and honoring where you come from. It’s about faith, service, community and the belief that your name still means something.
2. Family
Family here doesn’t stop at blood. It includes the people who show up for you – and who you’d do anything for. The branches on our trees don’t always match DNA. I’m “Uncle Paul” to five people I’m not related to, and that means everything to me. In the New Heartland, ‘dysfunctional’ is just another word for ‘real’, because every family has their stuff, no matter where you live. The messy parts? That’s where love and loyalty take root and come to life. Nobody gets between you and your people.
3. Community
In the New Heartland, community isn’t a concept – it’s an action. It’s your neighbor plowing your driveway before you even ask. It’s the casserole on your porch after surgery. It’s the block party potlucks and the Wednesday night church dinners. It’s knowing your neighbors’ names and actually caring how they’re doing. Around here, we don’t just live next to each other. We live for each other.
4. Faith
Faith isn’t just a Sunday thing – it’s a steady thread through everyday life. It’s how people lead, how they endure, how they lift others up. It’s not about denomination. It’s about believing in something bigger than yourself, especially when life gets tough. In the New Heartland, faith is part of the culture. It’s not performative. It’s personal, and it’s everywhere.
5. Patriotism
Patriotism here isn’t performative either. It’s not a yard sign or a trend. It’s a deep respect for this country and those who built it – even when we don’t all agree on how to move forward. “Made in America” isn’t a slogan. It’s a statement of pride and principle. In the New Heartland, patriotism isn’t political. It’s personal.
6. Hard Work
Hard work isn’t celebrated – it’s expected. And that’s what makes it so powerful. From farms to factories to small businesses, there’s dignity in the grind. Nobody here is too proud to roll up their sleeves. The work ethic runs deep, and the pride in a job well done runs even deeper. Grit is admired more than gloss, and always will be.
7. Interdependence
The New Heartland was literally built on helping each other. You need your neighbor’s tools to fix the roof, just like they need your help building a fence. That mutual support isn’t seen as weakness – it’s seen as wisdom. We weren’t made to go it alone. And in this part of the country, you never have to because it’s the foundation we were built on.
8. Simplicity
Simplicity here doesn’t mean small thinking – it means clear thinking. People value honesty, straight talk and things that just plain work. No fluff, no noise. Keeping your word still matters. And “simple” isn’t a downgrade – it’s often the smartest, most effective way to do life.
9. Generosity
Generosity isn’t broadcast. It’s lived. It’s a neighbor mowing your yard while you’re recovering. A local business owner donating supplies after a storm. A church potluck that turns into a fundraiser without anyone asking. People here give quietly, consistently and without expectation. Generosity isn’t charity – it’s community.
10. Resilience
Life isn’t always easy here, but we don’t expect it to be. Crops fail. Businesses struggle. Storms hit. But the people of the New Heartland rise, rebuild and rally. Not because they have to. Because they choose to. Faith, grit and a belief in better tomorrows are baked into this region’s DNA.
11. Local Love
“Local” means something in the New Heartland. It’s the hand-stitched quilt from a family friend. The tomatoes grown down the road. The café where the owner knows your name and your usual. Buying local isn’t a marketing tactic. It’s how we support one another. It’s how we keep our communities strong. It’s how we show: this place matters.
If you ask me what I love about the New Heartland – it’s all of this and more.
It’s not just a region. It’s a rhythm. It’s not just where I live. It’s who I am.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.