If you get outside of the cities in Michigan, it’s more like the Deep South. I remember when I lived there, I saw more Confederate Flags than in a lot of the Southern States.
To back up what you said, the funny part is, I'm not from the South but was treated friendly-wise as if I was a Southerner based on my accent. Michiganders are sharp, remarkably aware of any accent south of 40°N. I always got a kick out of that.