Which States Have the Most Coyotes? Here’s Where the PNW Ranks

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are one of the most adaptable wild animals in North America. Closely related to wolves and domestic dogs, these resilient canines have spread across much of the continent and are now common in many regions, including parts of the Pacific Northwest.

Once found mostly in rural landscapes and open plains, coyotes have increasingly adapted to human environments. Today they are frequently spotted near towns, suburbs, and even large cities. In places like Washington and Oregon, sightings can occur along hiking trails, neighborhood greenbelts, and other natural areas where wildlife and people share space.

While coyotes typically avoid humans, their growing numbers mean encounters happen more often than they once did. Most coyotes pose little threat and will retreat when approached, but wildlife experts still encourage residents and visitors to remain aware when exploring parks or wilderness areas.

To better understand where coyotes are most common, we examined available data across the United States to estimate populations by state. Some states were excluded due to limited or unavailable data. Click through the gallery to see which states have the largest coyote populations and where the Pacific Northwest ranks.

40. Hawaii

There are absolutely no coyotes in Hawaii, making it the only state where coyotes are nowhere to be found.

39. Delaware

There are approximately 50 coyotes located in the first state to join the union.

38. Oklahoma

There are about 768 coyotes located in Oklahoma, found throughout the state.

37. Vermont

There are around 1,000 coyotes located in the Northeastern state of Vermont.

36. Connecticut

Located in the Northeast, Connecticut has around 3,000 coyotes within the state.

35. Rhode Island

There are 3,642 coyotes located in Rhode Island, found throughout the state.

34. New Jersey

There are 4,000 coyotes located in the Garden State, found throughout the state.

33. New Hampshire

There are 4,500 coyotes located in New Hampshire, found throughout the state.

32. West Virginia

There are around 11,000 coyotes located in West Virginia. They are found throughout the state.

31. Massachusetts

There are about 12,000 coyotes located in Massachusetts. Coyotes are found throughout the state except Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

30. Iowa

There are around 12,000 coyotes located in Iowa. They are found all over the state, particularly in the western parts of the state.

29. Florida

There are 13,000 coyotes located in Florida and can be spotted in all 67 counties.

28. Minnesota

There are 14,490 coyotes located in Minnesota, found throughout the state.

27. Maine

There are 15,000 coyotes located in Maine, found throughout the state.

26. Wisconsin

There are 17,000 coyotes located in Wisconsin. These animals are usually found throughout the state.

25. New York

There are 20,000 coyotes located in the Empire State, found in both rural and urban areas.

24. Kentucky

There are 20,200 coyotes located in the Bluegrass State. Although they are found all over the state, there are more in abundance in the central and southeastern parts of the state.

23. Illinois

There are 30,000 coyotes located in Illinois. They are found throughout the state in many habitats.

22. Mississippi

There are 32,612 coyotes located in Mississippi, found throughout the state.

21. Tennessee

There are 38,202 coyotes located in Tennessee, found throughout the state in abundance.

20. Washington

There are 50,000 coyotes located in the Pacific Northwest state of Washington.

19. Virginia

There are 50,000 coyotes located in Virginia. They can be spotted throughout the state — in urban and rural areas.

18. North Carolina

There are 51,905 coyotes located in North Carolina and found in all 100 counties.

17. Idaho

There are 52,000 coyotes located in Idaho, usually found throughout the state.

16. Louisiana

There are 52,370 coyotes located in Louisiana and are found in both urban and rural areas.

15. Alabama

There are 52,400 coyotes located in Alabama. They are found throughout the state.

14. Nevada

There are 55,000 coyotes located in the western state of Nevada. They are found in urban and rural areas of the state.

13. South Dakota

There are 70,000 coyotes located in South Dakota. These animals can be spotted throughout the state.

12. Nebraska

There are 77,345 coyotes located in Nebraska. These canines are usually found in the western part of the state.

11. Colorado

There are 78,252 coyotes located in the Centennial State. They are particularly found in the midwestern prairies of the state.

10. Oregon

There are 83,695 coyotes located in the Beaver State, usually throughout the state except for the northwestern parts.

9. Wyoming

There are 86,000 coyotes located in the Western state of Wyoming, and mainly found in the forested, northwestern parts of the state

8. Georgia

There are 90,000 coyotes located in the Peach State, both in urban and rural areas.

7. Pennsylvania

There are 100,000 coyotes located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, found in every county and major city.

6. Arkansas

There are 106,360 coyotes located in Arkansas and are found in every single county.

5. New Mexico

There are 125,000 coyotes located in the Land of Enchantment, common throughout the state.

4. Kansas

There are 150,000 coyotes in the state of Kansas, common throughout the state especially in the eastern parts.

3. Arizona

Coming in at number three, there are 200,000 coyotes in the Grand Canyon State. Coyotes are found throughout the state, as they are quite common to spot.

2. California

California has a whopping 250,000 coyotes in the state. Coyotes are a common animal to spot throughout the entire state.

1. Texas

Texas has the most coyotes in the country, with a whopping 859,510. They are common all throughout the state.

Coyote Diet

Because coyotes are primarily carnivores, they can also survive on an omnivorous diet. They eat a lot of rodents and other small animals that can otherwise be invasive. Apart from rodents, they also eat rabbits, birds, squirrels, fruit, grass, deer, and insects. Although they love these food sources, they also can be a nuisance to farm owners. This is mostly because they love eating livestock including chickens.