Discover the 17 States in the Eastern Time Zone

The Eastern Time Zone is one of the heaviest-duty time zones that the United States, and perhaps the world, has to offer. This is because much of the population, governmental, and financial infrastructure of the country lies within this time zone.

The Eastern Time Zone is one of the four major time zones in the continental U.S.A. Collectively, there are over 140 million people that reside within the 17 states in its borders. This is almost half of the total population of the country.

If you’re interested in the geography of the United States, take a look at this overview that describes all of the states within the Eastern Time Zone.

1. New York

First up is the most populous state in the Eastern Time Zone, mostly owing to the presence of New York City, the most populous state in the entire country.

The state has many different regions and microcultures within its relatively large borders. The state is known for its mix of cultures, industrious attitude, and global influence. New York City is home to national and global institutions such as the New York City Stock Exchange, United Nations Headquarters, and Broadway.

Other notable cities in the region include Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo. Overall, there are over 19 million people living in the state tate, making it the third most populated state after California and Texas.

2. Connecticut

Connecticut is another state in the Tri-State area. This is an urban conglomeration that includes New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

This state is known for its colonial history, as well as its position during the American Revolution. It has a population of 3.5 million, which is relatively dense for such a small state.

Connecticut is also a history and education mecca for the country. It’s home to illustrious institutions such as Yale and Wesleyan Universities.

3. Delaware

This entry is well-known as a financial center for many banks in the United States. This is due to the country’s favorable tax laws, which pander heavily to corporate interests. It’s also known for its fabulous beaches, which attract a number of visitors and tourists in the summer months.

Current President Joe Biden hails from this state. The state’s largest city is Wilmington, which until very recently suffered from heavy crime rates. Nowadays, the city is rebounding to become a center of culture and cuisine in the state.

4. Vermont

Rustic Vermont is also in the Eastern Time Zone. This state is well known for the influence of French culture, its delicious maple syrup, and the plentiful outdoor activities it offers.

Vermont is right up on the US-Canada border and has the harsh winters that you might expect out of a place located there. However, cross-country skiing, ice-climbing, and other winter sports have kept Vermonters warm through the winters quite well.

Vermont is somewhat sparsely populated, with only 640,000 people living there. In fact, Burlington is the country’s most sparsely-populated-most-populated city, to give you a mouthful of a phrase.

5. New Hampshire

Vermont’s neighbor to the east, New Hampshire shares many qualities with the Green Mountain state. Politically, New Hampshire is somewhat more conservative. However, it is still solidly within the democratic political spectrum of most of the East Coast.

New Hampshire’s nickname is “The Granite State”, which refers to its extensive quarries and the bedrock of granite that lies beneath the surface layer of the earth there. The tallest mountain east of the Rockies is also in New Hampshire – Mount Washington stands at over 6,000 feet tall. Despite the height, visitors can actually drive up the mountain to catch a view.

6. Maine

Maine is the northernmost state on the east coast, sharing a border with the Canadian province of New Brunswick.

Renowned for its natural beauty, Maine has many protected forest reserves and national parks within its borders. The state also has a unique culture that centers around many of the blue-collar workers who populate the state.

Maine is also revered for the quality of its lobster catch, which provides the rest of the East Coast with fresh tasty lobster in the summer months. Also of note is the state’s blueberry harvest, which attracts many seasonal workers to the state.

7. Virginia

Birthplace to many of the country’s founding fathers, Virginia was the first colony in the United States.

Virginia has a diverse economy and culture, with several different micro-regions dotting the state. The capital of Virginia is Richmond, which became the capital of the Confederacy during the American Civil War. Virginia also has a very diverse natural ecosystem. This is exemplified most strongly in the beautiful Shenandoah National Park.

8. North Carolina

North Carolina is distinctive for its mountainous geography, as well as for its distinctive blend of cultures. One of the gateway states to the American South, the state is known for its mix of Appalachian and African-American cultures. It also boasts its own distinctive style of barbeque, amongst other cuisine

The capital of North Carolina is Raleigh, which contains the country’s largest research park, the Research Triangle Park. North Carolina is another state that’s rich in history in terms of its relation with the birth of the United States.

9. South Carolina

North Carolina’s twin to the south, South Carolina is deeper into southern culture. The state has a much hotter and wetter climate than its northern cousin. It features much of the subtropical ecosystems and foliage that defines the deeper south.

The South Carolina state reptile is the Loggerhead Sea Turtle and its state bird is the Carolina Wren. South Carolina also has a distinctive state flag that features a palm tree and crescent moon over a field of blue.

South Carolina is also known for the quality of its fishing sites and beautiful beaches. These two things draw millions of visitors from across the world to its shores in the summer.

10. West Virginia

West Virginia is known for its pristine natural beauty and its distinctive Appalachian culture. It is generally considered to be one of the more remote places on the eastern seaboard, as it is one of the least populated states in this part of the county.

Much of West Virginia’s economy is dependent on mining, which has fostered an interesting history of miner’s culture and lore in the state. The state’s mountainous geography has inspired much of this.

Unfortunately, nowadays West Virginia suffers from poverty and health epidemics. However, a burgeoning outdoor recreation tourism sector offers hope that the state might rebound from these issues.

11. Georgia

Georgia is a blossoming Southern state that has seen massive increases in population. It has also been the beneficiary of an economic boom in the last several decades. Part of this is due to the increase in status and prosperity of its largest city and capital, Atlanta.

Even before its current boom times, Georgia has always had a distinctive southern culture that can’t help but attract admirers. The state has a formidable peach crop, the fruits of which are renowned for their quality.

Georgia’s entertainment industry is one of the things that has people flocking to the state. Atlanta currently holds the distinction of having the third-largest film and television industry in the country. It follows just after New York and Los Angeles.

12. Massachusetts

This place is well known for the presence of higher education institutions in its borders. Some of the world’s most esteemed colleges and universities exist in the state, including Harvard, Cambridge, and MIT.

The state’s capital and largest city is Boston, a place that served a central role in the birth of the country during the American Revolution.

The population of the state is 7 million, which is quite hefty considering the smallness of the state in general. The state performs very well in many quality-of-life metrics. These include education, health, and happiness.

13. Maryland

Maryland is another small state that punches above its weight class. This state has a unique mix of cuisine, culture, and history that makes it one of the most interesting in the union.

Maryland lies just north of Washington, D.C. on the Chesapeake Bay, and has many maritime cultural aspects that reflect this reality.

Maryland’s nickname is “America in Minature”. This is a phrase that connotates the wide variety of cultures and topographies one can experience in its borders despite the state’s small size. The state’s largest city is Baltimore, which has experienced some high crime rates in the past few decades. Despite this, the city boasts very strong regional art and culinary scenes.

14. New Jersey

New York’s little brother, this entry is a highly historical state that hosts an extremely diverse population. Overall, it is the most densely populated of any U.S. state and has the highest average income of any state in the country.

The state’s strong cultural presence has been depicted in countless works of art and media. The music of Bruce Springsteen and the hit T.V show The Sopranos are good examples of Jersey spirit in the arts.

The state has a diversified economy and a refined education system. In addition, it spends more money per student than any other state in the nation.

15. Ohio

Outside of your average Ohioan, Ohio is possibly best known for the sway that it holds in national US Presidential elections. In times like these, its coveted 21 electoral college seats often mean the difference between victory and defeat for candidates.

Many associate Ohio with the mid-west in terms of culture and geography, but the state is actually in the Eastern Time Zone. More U.S. presidents have come from Ohio than any other state, which has earned the state the nickname “Mother of Presidents.”

Ohio also has a very strong presence in education and arts, and hosts many museums and higher education institutions. College sports are also very popular in Ohio, with culminating games drawing tens of thousands of attendees.

16. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is another state that has a rich history in regard to the formation and birth of its mother nation. In fact, its largest city Philadelphia was the original capital of the United States before Washington D.C.

Aside from having the first capital in the United States, Pennsylvania had many other firsts in the nation. The state is home to the first library, hospital, daily newspaper, business school, theatre, medical school, and more.

Pennsylvania’s swing state status means that it’s tightly observed when election season comes around. The state also hosts a unique cuisine, particularly in Philadelphia, owing to the city’s melting pot immigrant heritage. Sports are a big deal in Pennsylvania as well. The Steelers, Eagles, and 76ers all support dedicated and engaged fan bases.

17. Rhode Island

Rhode Island holds the distinction of being the smallest state in the country. Despite its rather miniature appearance, the state has many different facets to its personality.

Rhode Island isn’t actually an island and is the second most densely populated state in the country after New Jersey. The state’s capital is Providence. This city is known for the quality of its higher education institutions, as well as for its diverse cultural tapestry.

Rhode Island has a unique culinary history that has lent to some interesting mainstays. Like many states on the East Coast, the state has a history of concocting seafood specialties like clam chowder. The state drink is an interesting beverage called coffee milk, which is created by mixing coffee syrup with milk.