What is the ‘Rust Belt’ and which states are included? Region a key focus on election night

What is the 'Rust Belt' and which states are included? Region a key focus on election night

As presidential election results roll in, all eyes are on seven swing states , three of which are part of the "Rust Belt."

The Rust Belt refers to a part of the country that was once a manufacturing powerhouse but has seen economic decline as globalization moved many manufacturing jobs overseas.

The informal term does not have set boundaries, but industrial Midwest states Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are all considered part of the Rust Belt, the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network previously reported. Sometimes, parts of western New York, West Virginia, Maryland, and Missouri are also considered as part of the Rust Belt .

Former President Donald Trump first ran in 2016 on bringing jobs back to some of those areas, and successfully flipped Wisconsin , Michigan and Pennsylvania, formerly considered part of the " blue wall " to take the White House in a shocking victory. President Joe Biden won those three states back in 2020.

If Democratic opponent Kamala Harris maintains Democratic support among those three states in this election along with all the other Democratic-leaning states , she would reach the 270 electoral votes to win the White House.

Election results live updates: Trump, Harris battle in swing states; see electoral map

Who's winning? See the Electoral College map

USA TODAY will publish the results for all races that the Associated Press tracks.

See the latest results in these Rust Belt States:

Watch Election Day updates live with USA TODAY

USA TODAY's live stream coverage will show swing state watch parties, live race calls and feeds from the presidential candidates' election night headquarters. Follow along:

Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at and follow her on X and TikTok