Rust Belt States 2024

The term “Rust Belt” is a term used to describe areas in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions of the United States. This is a derogatory term used to describe areas where there is an economic decline, urban decay, high rates of poverty, and a drop in population due to deindustrialization.

These areas were struck in the 20th century for many reasons. Manufacturing is moving to overseas companies, the decline of coal and steel industries, and increased automation in industrial settings are just a few of the factors that have contributed to this deindustrialization. Cities across the nation were able to adapt to these changes by moving into other industries, like the services industry. However, other cities and towns have been severely affected. It is these areas that are part of the “Rust Belt.”

These regions weren’t always known as the Rust Belt, however. In their prime, these areas were identified by other nicknames such as the Factory Belt or Steel Belt. States that are included in the Rust Belt are: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Some cities in the Rust Belt region saw significant declines in their populations after deindustrialization. The biggest change was recorded in Detroit, Michigan, where the population dropped by over 29% between 2000 and 2016. Gary, Indiana, was another city that was affected, with its population dropping by over 25%. Other cities that saw significant losses in their populations include: Flint, Michigan; Cleveland, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio; Buffalo, New York; Decatur, Illinois; Saint Louis, Missouri, and Saginaw, Michigan.

State	Part of Rust Belt	Key Cities
New York	Usually	Buffalo, New York is the second-largest city in New York. It is a major center for manufacturing, especially the steel industry. The city is also home to a number of cultural institutions, including the Buffalo Museum of Science and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. Rochester, New York is a city known for its history of manufacturing, particularly in the areas of optics, photography, and pharmaceuticals. It is also home to the Rochester Institute of Technology, one of the top engineering schools in the country.
West Virginia	Usually	Wheeling, West Virginia is a city in northwestern West Virginia. It was once a major industrial center, but its economy has also declined in recent decades. The city is now home to a number of historical attractions, including the Wheeling Suspension Bridge and the Oglebay Institute.
Maryland	Sometimes	Baltimore, Maryland is the largest city in Maryland. It is a major center for finance, transportation, and healthcare. The city is also home to a number of cultural institutions, including the Baltimore Museum of Art and the National Aquarium.
Missouri	Sometimes
Illinois	Always	Rock Island, Illinois is a city in the Quad Cities metropolitan area, along the Mississippi River. It was once a major center for manufacturing and transportation, but its economy has declined in recent decades. The city is home to the Rock Island Arsenal, a major military installation.
Indiana	Always	Gary, Indiana is a city on the shores of Lake Michigan. It was once a major center for steel production, but its economy has declined in recent decades. The city is now home to a number of manufacturing and distribution facilities.
Michigan	Always	Flint, Michigan is a city on the Flint River. It was once a major center for the automotive industry, but its economy has declined in recent decades. The city is now home to a number of manufacturing and distribution facilities. Detroit, Michigan is the largest city in Michigan. It was once the center of the American automotive industry, but its economy has declined in recent decades. The city is now home to a number of manufacturing and distribution facilities, as well as a growing tech sector. Grand Rapids, Michigan is the second-largest city in Michigan. It is a major center for manufacturing, especially the furniture industry. The city is also home to a number of educational institutions, including Grand Valley State University.
Ohio	Always	Youngstown, Ohio was once a major center of steel production, but the industry has declined in recent decades. The city is now working to diversify its economy, and is home to a number of medical and technology companies. Canton, Ohio is a city with a strong history in manufacturing, particularly in the areas of rubber and steel. It is also home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Cleveland, Ohio is the largest city in Ohio and the former center of the American steel industry. The city has undergone a period of economic decline in recent decades, but is now working to revitalize its downtown area and attract new businesses. Steubenville, Ohio is a city on the Ohio River that was once a major center of coal mining. The city has struggled economically in recent decades, but is now working to attract new businesses and tourism. Toledo, Ohio is a city on the Maumee River that was once a major center of automotive manufacturing. The city is now home to a number of manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare companies. Columbus, Ohio is the capital of Ohio and the state's largest city. The city is home to a number of Fortune 500 companies, and is a major center for education, research, and healthcare.
Pennsylvania	Always	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a city on the Allegheny River that was once a major center of steel production. The city has undergone a period of economic transformation in recent decades, and is now home to a number of diversified industries, including healthcare, education, and technology. Erie, Pennsylvania is a port city on Lake Erie. It was once a major manufacturing center, but its economy has declined in recent decades. The city is now home to a number of universities and colleges, as well as a thriving arts and culture scene. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is a city in eastern Pennsylvania. It was once a major steel producer, but its economy has also declined in recent decades. The city is now home to a number of cultural attractions, including the Sands Bethlehem Casino and the SteelStacks arts and cultural campus. McKeesport, Pennsylvania is a city in southwestern Pennsylvania. It was once a major steel producer, but its economy has also declined in recent decades. The city is now home to a number of parks and recreation areas, as well as the National Museum of American Steel.
Wisconsin	Always	Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the largest city in Wisconsin. It is a major center for manufacturing, finance, and transportation. Milwaukee is also home to a number of cultural attractions, including the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. Madison, Wisconsin is the capital of Wisconsin. It is a major center for education, government, and research. Madison is also home to a number of cultural attractions, including the Wisconsin State Capitol, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

State

Part of Rust Belt

Key Cities

New York

Usually

Buffalo, New York is the second-largest city in New York. It is a major center for manufacturing, especially the steel industry. The city is also home to a number of cultural institutions, including the Buffalo Museum of Science and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. Rochester, New York is a city known for its history of manufacturing, particularly in the areas of optics, photography, and pharmaceuticals. It is also home to the Rochester Institute of Technology, one of the top engineering schools in the country.

West Virginia

Usually

Wheeling, West Virginia is a city in northwestern West Virginia. It was once a major industrial center, but its economy has also declined in recent decades. The city is now home to a number of historical attractions, including the Wheeling Suspension Bridge and the Oglebay Institute.

Maryland

Sometimes

Baltimore, Maryland is the largest city in Maryland. It is a major center for finance, transportation, and healthcare. The city is also home to a number of cultural institutions, including the Baltimore Museum of Art and the National Aquarium.

Missouri

Sometimes

Illinois

Always

Rock Island, Illinois is a city in the Quad Cities metropolitan area, along the Mississippi River. It was once a major center for manufacturing and transportation, but its economy has declined in recent decades. The city is home to the Rock Island Arsenal, a major military installation.

Indiana

Always

Gary, Indiana is a city on the shores of Lake Michigan. It was once a major center for steel production, but its economy has declined in recent decades. The city is now home to a number of manufacturing and distribution facilities.

Michigan

Always

Flint, Michigan is a city on the Flint River. It was once a major center for the automotive industry, but its economy has declined in recent decades. The city is now home to a number of manufacturing and distribution facilities. Detroit, Michigan is the largest city in Michigan. It was once the center of the American automotive industry, but its economy has declined in recent decades. The city is now home to a number of manufacturing and distribution facilities, as well as a growing tech sector. Grand Rapids, Michigan is the second-largest city in Michigan. It is a major center for manufacturing, especially the furniture industry. The city is also home to a number of educational institutions, including Grand Valley State University.

Ohio

Always

Youngstown, Ohio was once a major center of steel production, but the industry has declined in recent decades. The city is now working to diversify its economy, and is home to a number of medical and technology companies. Canton, Ohio is a city with a strong history in manufacturing, particularly in the areas of rubber and steel. It is also home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Cleveland, Ohio is the largest city in Ohio and the former center of the American steel industry. The city has undergone a period of economic decline in recent decades, but is now working to revitalize its downtown area and attract new businesses. Steubenville, Ohio is a city on the Ohio River that was once a major center of coal mining. The city has struggled economically in recent decades, but is now working to attract new businesses and tourism. Toledo, Ohio is a city on the Maumee River that was once a major center of automotive manufacturing. The city is now home to a number of manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare companies. Columbus, Ohio is the capital of Ohio and the state's largest city. The city is home to a number of Fortune 500 companies, and is a major center for education, research, and healthcare.

Pennsylvania

Always

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a city on the Allegheny River that was once a major center of steel production. The city has undergone a period of economic transformation in recent decades, and is now home to a number of diversified industries, including healthcare, education, and technology. Erie, Pennsylvania is a port city on Lake Erie. It was once a major manufacturing center, but its economy has declined in recent decades. The city is now home to a number of universities and colleges, as well as a thriving arts and culture scene. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is a city in eastern Pennsylvania. It was once a major steel producer, but its economy has also declined in recent decades. The city is now home to a number of cultural attractions, including the Sands Bethlehem Casino and the SteelStacks arts and cultural campus. McKeesport, Pennsylvania is a city in southwestern Pennsylvania. It was once a major steel producer, but its economy has also declined in recent decades. The city is now home to a number of parks and recreation areas, as well as the National Museum of American Steel.

Wisconsin

Always

Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the largest city in Wisconsin. It is a major center for manufacturing, finance, and transportation. Milwaukee is also home to a number of cultural attractions, including the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. Madison, Wisconsin is the capital of Wisconsin. It is a major center for education, government, and research. Madison is also home to a number of cultural attractions, including the Wisconsin State Capitol, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.