Raccoons are nature’s ultimate opportunists, and they don’t just survive in the US—they enjoy living here by turning every forest, wetland, and suburban alley into their playground. Some states are practically VIP lounges for the masked bandits.
Texas’ wide-open spaces and New York’s rooftop hideouts provide ideal conditions for raccoons to flourish. These places are among the top states with high raccoon populations.
Here’s a rundown on the 12 states that have truly embraced raccoon life, backed by some wild and exclusive details about what makes each place special.
1. Texas
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including raccoon populations, which top the list at 1.2 million. With its mix of rural and city landscapes, Texas is a raccoon paradise, and locals even joke about them treating oil rigs as condos.
From vast woodlands to urban hubs like Austin, raccoons have no trouble finding food and shelter in this state. The raccoons are just as comfortable raiding trash cans downtown as they are nesting in hollowed cacti in the deserts.
2. Florida
Raccoons run along Florida’s coasts, digging through mangroves and hunting crabs like seasoned seafood lovers. They’ve also mastered suburban living, sneaking into backyards for pet food or stealing from garden citrus trees.
Florida’s warm, swampy charm makes it their favorite place, with about 1 million calling the state home. Additionally, swamps and suburban streets—Florida’s diverse habitats make life here more than comfortable for these clever foragers.
3. North Carolina
NC is bustling with bandit energy. Around 800,000 to 1 million raccoons roam the lands in North Carolina. You would generally find these animals in wooded areas, but they have also learned to traverse through the suburban neighborhoods like pro travelers.
In the Smoky Mountains, they often share dens during cold snaps, showing off their surprisingly social side. Whether they’re looking for food on farms or poking around trash bins in Raleigh, raccoons know how to live here.
4. Georgia
You can find raccoons mostly in the swamps or the suburbs in Georgia—prime raccoon territories. It appears Georgia has around 900,000 raccoons, and they know how to take advantage of the state’s natural bounty. They can be seen snacking on peaches in orchards or raiding pecan groves.
Raccoons of this state have turned Southern agriculture into their buffet table. But their opportunistic streak doesn’t stop in rural areas; city raccoons are just as active, climbing oak trees and prowling through every object in the nooks and crannies.
5. Minnesota
In Minnesota, raccoons seem to hibernate snugly in tree cavities, porches, or barns until spring. Then, they can be seen hitting lakes and wetlands for crayfish feasts. Minneapolis raccoons have been spotted in and around alleys throughout the city, finding food with remarkable skill.
Even harsh winters can’t stop Minnesota’s 800,000 (and counting) raccoons from living a good life here. Famous for their resilience and resourcefulness, Minnesota’s raccoons show us what it means to have the grit of the Midwest while being a little mischievous.
6. Illinois
With approximately 700,000 raccoons, Illinois is a playground for these naughty animals. Around Chicago, raccoons are notorious for raiding bird feeders and expertly opening trash lids like they were trained for it.
But it’s not just urban bins and spaces—raccoons in Illinois are also regular visitors to cornfields so they can sneak bites of leftover crops. In addition to their mischief, these adaptable creatures have also become a common sight in suburban backyards of Illinois.
7. Pennsylvania
Raccoons in Pennsylvania are among the boldest in the country. The raccoons frequently raid bird feeders in and around towns and boldly sneak into homes through pet doors. In rural areas, raccoons look for acorns and berries in the Appalachian forests.
Locals say they are master escape artists, as raccoons in this state often outwit traps set for them. Be it in Pittsburgh parks or remote woodlands, around 500,000 to 700,000 raccoons in every part of Pennsylvania are daring and clever.
8. Maryland
The raccoons of Maryland are seen raiding camper supplies in forested state parks, and they are often observed fishing in shallow waters, adding to their cheeky reputation.
About 500,000 raccoons roam Maryland, particularly near the Chesapeake Bay, where seafood scraps are a favorite snack. It doesn’t matter if it’s a coastal crabbing ground or a peaceful neighborhood; Maryland offers a little of everything for these resourceful mammals.
9. California
With as close as 400,000 raccoons, California has its fair share of clever raccoons. You can spot them in Los Angeles neighborhoods sneaking onto rooftops or scavenging trash bins. People in the northern parts of the state have also seen raccoons raiding vineyards for ripe grapes.
Moreover, in the Sierra Nevada forests, raccoons forage for nuts and berries, while along the coast, they hunt for crabs and marine life. Whether in cities or nature, California’s raccoons show impressive versatility and resourcefulness.
10. Wisconsin
Wisconsin is home to around 350,000 raccoons, earning them the title of rural opportunists. These clever creatures love lounging in abandoned silos and lurking around dairy farms, where spilled milk and cheese scraps offer unique snacks.
Wetlands and forests provide their ideal hunting grounds for crayfish, berries, and insects, but Wisconsin raccoons know just how to balance their wild instincts with proximity to human activity for easy meals. It’s this blend of rural resourcefulness and adaptability that makes Wisconsin such a raccoon-friendly state.
11. Michigan’s
Along the Great Lakes, raccoons in Michigan hunt for mussels and crayfish. While doing so, the animals turn Michigan’s shores into their buffet. Talking about the cities, they have embraced the suburban life here. Raccoons freely explore compost bins and bird feeders with practiced ease.
What’s special about them is the use of unique territorial calls, which keep them connected in Michigan’s sprawling wooded regions. So, the 200,000 to 400,000 raccoons here are the masters of lakeside living.
12. New York
New York raccoons are great at adapting. In Manhattan, they’re practically urban ninjas, opening latches and zippers to access tightly sealed trash. Upstate, raccoons enjoy a quieter life—snacking in apple orchards and berry patches.
Be it the bustling streets of the Bronx or hiding in Adirondack forests, New York’s nearly 250,000 raccoons mix well into every environment the state has to offer.
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