Overlapping identities in the American South

Despite the extensive literature on southern identity, we know surprisingly little about how regional identity competes with potential loyalties toward other groups in the South. We investigate the prevalence and predictors of four overlapping identifies—Appalachian, Southern, North Carolinian, and American. We find that people identify primarily as Americans, followed by North Carolinians, Southerners, and finally Appalachians. We also examine the correlation between these overlapping identities and test multivariate models to explain each identity using a common set of predictors: age, education, time in region, sex, political ideology, and race. Identity correlates shift depending on the group under consideration and that time in the region is the most consistent predictor, followed by age, and political ideology.

► We investigate the prevalence and predictors of four overlapping identities—Appalachian, Southern, North Carolinian, and American.
► We rely on an original survey designed to answer this question.
► We find that most, but not all identities are correlated.
► We find that the correlates of identity shift depending on the group under consideration.