Records by Region & Eras of Influence; (1954-1966)

Statistical analysis nerds rejoice, I’m gettin’ my Nate Silver on.

A few weeks ago someone asked about the records of different regions of the country. Not only have I kept track over the years, but I have noticed that there are “eras of influence” belonging to different regions of the country.

I broke the country into four regions of 12-13 states each.  The SOUTH has always been the dominant region, but the other three regions have traded places in the Number 2 spot over the years. Interestingly, these eras tend to span 11 years and do NOT line up with decades.

I chose my region groupings to ensure that the number of states in each region was as equal as possible:

SOUTH: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA

MIDWEST: IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI

WEST: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HA, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY

NORTHEAST: CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, WV

The first era ran from 1954 – 1966 (13 years long). It started with the first televised pageant - won by Lee Meriwether - and culminated with Jane Jayroe’s crowning in 1966.

The SOUTH was the strongest region during this era, averaging 3.9 of each year's Top 10 and 2.1 of each year’s Top 5, and ranged from only two in Top 10 in 1956 to a high of six in Top 10 in 1958.  Six Miss Americas from the SOUTH were crowned during this era, along with five 1^st RUs. ALABAMA made the Top 10 ten times in this era (but with only a single runner-up). This was also NORTH CAROLINA's best ever era, putting five women in Top 10, and four of those in Top 5 (including Maria Fletcher's win in 1961). ARKANSAS had Donna Axum's win and two 1st RUs. SOUTH CAROLINA also had its best-ever era while MISSISSIPPI had its two back-to-back wins.

 The WEST had its BEST ERA EVER with an average of 3.2 of the Top 10, and 1.3 of each year’s Top 5. The WEST produced 5 of the Top 10 in 1957 & 1963, and 3 of the Top 5 in 1959, along with four Miss Americas during this era (Lee Meriwether-54, Sharon Ritchie-55, Marilyn Van Derbur-57, and Vonda Kay Van Dyke-64) and three 1^st RU’s (California’s Charlene Dallas in 66 & Suzanne Reamo in 60, and Oregon’s Dorothy Mae Johnson in 55). CALIFORNIA put nine women in Top 10 or better, and ARIZONA COLORADO, and UTAH had their best-ever eras as well.  HAWAII was strong too.

 The MIDWEST averaged 1.7 in Top 10 and 1.2 in Top 5. The region ranged from zero Top 10 in 1963 to a high of 4 (including the Winner & 1^st RU) in 1962. The region put 3 women in Top 5 in 1965 but had no Top 5s in 1963 and 1957. Three Miss Americas and three 1^st RUs came from the MIDWEST during this era. No Midwestern state stood out during the era, but 10 of the 12 states in this region made the Top 10 at least once (only the Dakotas missed out completely).

The NORTHEAST averaged 1.1 in Top 10 and 0.5 in Top 5 (one every other year). The region put no one in Top 10 in 57, 61, 62, or 65, but had two Top 10s in five years. During this era, the NORTHEAST never produced more than one Top 5 in any single year (and in only 6 years total).  The NORTHEAST produced two 1^st RU during this era.  The DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA had its best ever era, especially considering it only competed until 1963 and then went dormant until 1984. DC had four in Top 10 (including two 1st RUs) in ten years.

The year that best matches the era’s overall averages is 1955:

SOUTH-4 Top 10 & 2 Top 5 (NC-3^rd RU, OK-4^th RU, AL-Top 10, FL-10)

WEST-4 Top 10 & 2 Top 5 (CO-WIN, OR-1^st RU, AZ-10, HA-10)

MIDWEST-1 Top 10 & 1Top 5 (Chicago-2^nd RU)

NORTH-1 Top 10 & 0 Top 5 (MA-10)

States that dominated during this era were:

Alabama-10 Top 10 and one Top 5

California-9 Top 10 and 6 Top 5

Arizona-6 Top 10 and 4 made Top 5

Hawaii-6 Top 10 and 2 Top 5

North Carolina-5 Top 10 with 4 in Top 5

Florida-5 Top 10 and 3 Top 5

Texas-5 Top 10 and 3 Top 5

The next post will cover 1967-1977 and belonged to the MIDWEST and the NORTHEAST.