How were border states different from slave states?

Border states, such as Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, and Delaware, were slave states that remained in the Union during the Civil War, whereas other slave states seceded to join the Confederacy. While they permitted slavery, border states had smaller enslaved populations and were more economically diversified, often with stronger ties to the North. Additionally, the loyalty of their citizens was more divided between the Union and the Confederacy, leading to internal conflicts and differing levels of support for the war. This complex status made border states unique in their political and social landscapes compared to the more Southern-oriented slave states.