LoneStarMapMaps & Seasons
Where Lone Star Ticks Live: U.S. Range Map Explained
An overview of the U.S. range of the Lone Star tick — established regions, emerging range, and what 'expanding range' really means.
Lone Star ticks have been reported in dozens of U.S. states, with established populations across the eastern, southeastern, and south-central regions and growing reports in the Northeast and Midwest. Here's how to read range maps without overstating risk.
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Established range
- Southeast: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida.
- Mid-Atlantic and Appalachia: Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky.
- Central plains and Ozarks: Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, parts of Nebraska.
Emerging range
- Northeast: New York (Long Island, Hudson Valley), New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut.
- Midwest: parts of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan.
What 'expanding range' actually means
- Reports of established populations in counties where the tick wasn't previously documented.
- Doesn't mean every county within a state has Lone Star ticks.
- Local health departments and university extension programs publish the most up-to-date county data.
Key takeaways
- Lone Star ticks have a broad U.S. range, with the densest reports in the Southeast and south-central states.
- Range maps are a guide, not a guarantee — local risk varies by county.
- Check your state page on LoneStarMap for region-specific information.
Free: The Lone Star tick & alpha-gal survival guide
A plain-English PDF you can save on your phone before you head outside. One bite can change what you eat for life — know before you go.
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