What polls are telling us about voters

Donald Trump was elected the 45th president of the United States in what many considered a stunning upset, but we can get some idea of how Trump went from an unlikely candidate to victory from exit polls.

Exit polls show the public’s deep-seeded dissatisfaction with politics as usual, and how Trump was able to tap into disgruntled Americans.

Exit polls by the numbers: Trump capitalizes on voter dissatisfaction

A Morning Consult/Politico poll found that 36% of people said they wanted a strong leader and only 16% want someone who cares about them or shares their values. Here are a few highlights from the Morning Consult/Politico poll about how voters are feeling:

• 85% just want it to be over
• 72% Anxious
• 71% Nervous
• 53% Angry
• 50% Sad
• 48% Overwhelmed
• 39% Depressed
• 29% Proud
• 25% Happy

Late Tuesday, the election was on track to produce "one of the largest gender gaps since 1972," according to exit poll data from the Associated Press and television networks by Edison Research. That means women voters flocked to Clinton, while non-college-educated white men backed Donald Trump.

Here's a look at other key trends from the National Election Pool Survey by Edison Research:​

• About 87% of black voters supported Clinton and Trump brought in 27% of the Hispanic vote.  
• About 25% of Americans said they were "angry" about how the government is functioning. 
• Everyone is scared about the other guy winning. Seven in ten Clinton voters said they worried about a Trump win, and six in ten Trump supporters said they felt the same about the prospect of a Clinton presidency.
• Wealthy Americans in households making $250,000 or more favored Clinton in this election, a major departure from previous elections. 
• Voters 65 and up favor Trump.

How to make sense of what's happening as polls close on election night

More election coverage from USA TODAY:

• How to make sense of what's happening as polls close
• Plot Trump's or Clinton's path to 270 electoral votes
• See the latest national and state presidential polling averages
• Check out poll closing times in each state
• Candidate info and ratings for all races