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Uncover the Top 20 Most Raccoon Infested Places in the U.S.

most raccoon infested places
Image via Pixabay

For some reason, I have a huge soft spot for raccoons. Maybe it’s their paws? Maybe their fluffy tails? Maybe it’s their sneakiness? That being said, they can, at times, be a huge problem – here are some of the most raccoon-infested places in the U.S. when they’re causing an increasing amount of trouble.

1. Central Park, New York

Pygmy Raccoon
Pygmy Raccoon. Christoph Moning, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Central Park in New York City is a wildlife haven, and raccoons are no exception. They are often seen by joggers and tourists, especially near the park’s wooded areas.

2. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Racoon
Raccoon (Procyon lotor) in cumberland Wildpark Grünau, upper Austria. Image via Isiwal/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park offers extensive wooded areas and water sources, making it a perfect habitat for raccoons.

3. Chicago Metro Area

raccoon
Close up portrait of a raccoon in Russia. Image via Depositphotos

Chicago’s alleys and streets provide ample food sources, leading to a significant raccoon population throughout the metro area.

4. Portland, Oregon

raccoon
Raccoon resting its head on a trre trunk. Image by Chalo Garcia via Unsplash.

Portland is known for its eco-friendly landscape, which includes a welcoming environment for raccoons in both residential and park areas.

5. Washington D.C.

Raccoon sniffing around.

Image by Henry Dinardo on Unsplash.

The nation’s capital has a notable number of raccoons, thriving in its parks and residential neighborhoods alike.

6. Seattle, Washington

Man Rescues Raccoon from Lake
Image by Anna Hinckel via Pexels

Seattle’s abundant green spaces and its wet climate make it ideal for raccoons, leading to frequent encounters with residents.

7. Austin, Texas

raccoon
Image via Pexels

Austin has experienced a surge in raccoon numbers, with its expanding urban landscape providing new habitats for these animals.

8. Tampa, Florida

raccoon hiding in tree log
Image by jggrz via Pixabay

Florida’s warm climate and Tampa’s outdoor lifestyle mean raccoons are a common sight, often spotted rummaging through garbage.

9. Atlanta, Georgia

raccoon
Raccoon. Image by Gonzalo Guzmán García via Pexels

Atlanta’s combination of wooded areas and urban sprawl supports a large raccoon population, particularly in suburban settings.

10. Cleveland, Ohio

raccoon
Image by Alexa via Pixabay

In Cleveland, raccoons are often found in both the city and the surrounding countryside, adapting well to various environments.

11. Los Angeles, California

dog brings home raccoon bestie
Image via Pexels

In Los Angeles, raccoons are drawn to residential areas where they can easily find food and shelter.

12. Denver, Colorado

raccoon
Curious Raccoon looking up at camera. Image by Chris Ensminger on Unsplash.

Denver’s parks and natural landscapes are home to thriving raccoon communities, often seen by hikers and residents.

13. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Racoon
Raccoon hiding behind leaves. Image by Joshua J. Cotten via Unsplash

Minneapolis’s numerous lakes and parks provide perfect raccoon habitats, leading to frequent sightings.

14. Madison, Wisconsin

raccoon
Baby Raccoon on Grass. Image by Gary Bendig on Unsplash.

Madison is known for its green spaces and waterways, which attract raccoons looking for food and a place to den.

15. New Orleans, Louisiana

Raccoon
Image by Gabriel Tovar via Unsplash

The unique environment of New Orleans, including its bayous and wetlands, makes it a favorite spot for raccoons.

16. Raleigh, North Carolina

raccoon
By California Department of Water Resources – California Department of Water Resources, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56584662

Raleigh’s growth and wooded suburbs offer ideal conditions for raccoons, increasing encounters with locals.

17. Boston, Massachusetts

mom saves daughter from raccoon attack
Image via Pexels

Boston’s older neighborhoods and park areas are common grounds for raccoon sightings, especially at night.

18. Omaha, Nebraska

Image via Pixabay

Omaha’s mix of urban and rural areas provides a diverse habitat that is well-suited for raccoons.

19. Phoenix, Arizona

rabies in raccoons
Image via Pexels

Despite its desert setting, Phoenix’s irrigation and green belts provide enough resources for raccoons to survive and multiply.

20. Indianapolis, Indiana

Image via Pixabay

Indianapolis has a balanced environment with both urban and green spaces, supporting a healthy raccoon population.

Raccoon Infested Places: Conclusion

Image via Pixabay

While we can all agree that raccoons can cause havoc with their trash-stealing tendencies, I believe they also deserve a round of applause. Few animals in the U.S. are this adaptable and can live in such varied environments that I can’t help but be impressed.

Thank you for reading this article about most raccoon-infested places in the U.S.! For more raccoon content, take a look at these posts: