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](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Procyon_pygmaeus_60434270.jpg)
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](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Waschbar_Procyon_lotor-7318.jpg)
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](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Depositphotos_177503996_L.jpg)
Chicago’s alleys and streets provide ample food sources, leading to a significant raccoon population throughout the metro area.
4. Portland, Oregon
![raccoon](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/chalo-garcia-8YJ_R1yeMqE-unsplash-scaled.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/henry-dinardo-lLNyzqcfcyc-unsplash-scaled.jpg)
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](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/pexels-anna-hinckel-5873489-scaled.jpg)
Seattle’s abundant green spaces and its wet climate make it ideal for raccoons, leading to frequent encounters with residents.
7. Austin, Texas
![raccoon](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pexels-gonzalo-guzmA%C2%A1n-garcA%C2%ADa-4651269.jpg)
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](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/nature-4669438_1280.jpg)
Florida’s warm climate and Tampa’s outdoor lifestyle mean raccoons are a common sight, often spotted rummaging through garbage.
9. Atlanta, Georgia
![raccoon](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pexels-gonzalo-guzmA%C2%A1n-garcA%C2%ADa-4651259.jpg)
Atlanta’s combination of wooded areas and urban sprawl supports a large raccoon population, particularly in suburban settings.
10. Cleveland, Ohio
![raccoon](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/raccoon-2183755_1280.jpg)
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](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/pexels-anne-sch-634255.jpg)
In Los Angeles, raccoons are drawn to residential areas where they can easily find food and shelter.
12. Denver, Colorado
![raccoon](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/chris-ensminger-gWo-hfRotrI-unsplash-scaled.jpg)
Denver’s parks and natural landscapes are home to thriving raccoon communities, often seen by hikers and residents.
13. Minneapolis, Minnesota
![Racoon](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/joshua-j-cotten-IWKIHuzl-tU-unsplash-scaled.jpg)
Minneapolis’s numerous lakes and parks provide perfect raccoon habitats, leading to frequent sightings.
14. Madison, Wisconsin
![raccoon](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/gary-bendig-6GMq7AGxNbE-unsplash-scaled.jpg)
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](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/gabriel-tovar-IHx7aqafPoE-unsplash-scaled.jpg)
The unique environment of New Orleans, including its bayous and wetlands, makes it a favorite spot for raccoons.
16. Raleigh, North Carolina
![raccoon](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Raccoon_Procyon_lotor_portrait-scaled.jpg)
Raleigh’s growth and wooded suburbs offer ideal conditions for raccoons, increasing encounters with locals.
17. Boston, Massachusetts
![mom saves daughter from raccoon attack](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pexels-teyi-a%C2%BE%C2%90-16554025.jpg)
Boston’s older neighborhoods and park areas are common grounds for raccoon sightings, especially at night.
18. Omaha, Nebraska
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/raccoons.jpg)
Omaha’s mix of urban and rural areas provides a diverse habitat that is well-suited for raccoons.
19. Phoenix, Arizona
![rabies in raccoons](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pexels-olia-gozha-16605.jpg)
Despite its desert setting, Phoenix’s irrigation and green belts provide enough resources for raccoons to survive and multiply.
20. Indianapolis, Indiana
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/raccoon-7818196_1280-1200x675.jpg)
Indianapolis has a balanced environment with both urban and green spaces, supporting a healthy raccoon population.
Raccoon Infested Places: Conclusion
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/raccoon-7228457_1280-1200x800.jpg)
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:
- Dog Brings Home New Raccoon Bestie
- Boy Mistakes A Kitten For A Raccoon
- Man Feeds 25 Raccoons at Once in Canada
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