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LoneStarMap

Where Do Lone Star Ticks Live?

Lone Star ticks are established across much of the southeastern and eastern United States. They have been reported spreading north and into the Midwest. They like wooded areas, brushy fields, and the shady edges where lawns meet woods. CDC keeps a record for every US county. Search your ZIP code, town or county on this site to see it.

Last reviewed

Every state, county by county

CDC lists Lone Star ticks as established in 1,139 counties across 33 states and the District of Columbia, and has reports from 635 more.

  1. District of Columbia: established.
  2. Arkansas: 73 of 75 counties established, none reported.
  3. Oklahoma: 69 of 77 counties established, none reported.
  4. Maryland: 18 of 24 counties and cities established, 4 reported.
  5. Kentucky: 86 of 120 counties established, 19 reported.
  6. Florida: 48 of 67 counties established, 14 reported.
  7. Mississippi: 58 of 82 counties established, 23 reported.
  8. Delaware: 2 of 3 counties established, 1 reported.
  9. Illinois: 68 of 102 counties established, 25 reported.
  10. New Jersey: 14 of 21 counties established, 5 reported.
  11. Alabama: 42 of 67 counties established, 18 reported.
  12. Missouri: 63 of 115 counties and cities established, 21 reported.
  13. South Carolina: 25 of 46 counties established, 12 reported.
  14. Indiana: 49 of 92 counties established, 14 reported.
  15. Virginia: 70 of 133 counties and cities established, 30 reported.
  16. North Carolina: 48 of 100 counties established, 23 reported.
  17. Tennessee: 45 of 95 counties established, 32 reported.
  18. Texas: 118 of 254 counties established, 66 reported.
  19. Rhode Island: 2 of 5 counties established, 1 reported.
  20. Georgia: 60 of 159 counties established, 59 reported.
  21. Connecticut: 3 of 8 counties established, 1 reported.
  22. New York: 19 of 62 counties established, 32 reported.
  23. Kansas: 32 of 105 counties established, 13 reported.
  24. Louisiana: 19 of 64 parishes established, 13 reported.
  25. Nebraska: 27 of 93 counties established, 21 reported.
  26. Iowa: 28 of 99 counties established, 37 reported.
  27. West Virginia: 13 of 55 counties established, 14 reported.
  28. Ohio: 19 of 88 counties established, 29 reported.
  29. Pennsylvania: 8 of 67 counties established, 11 reported.
  30. New Hampshire: 1 of 10 counties established, 1 reported.
  31. Massachusetts: 1 of 14 counties established, 4 reported.
  32. South Dakota: 4 of 66 counties established, 2 reported.
  33. Michigan: 5 of 83 counties established, 39 reported.
  34. Wisconsin: 1 of 72 counties established, 26 reported.
  35. Maine: 0 of 16 counties established, 12 reported.
  36. Vermont: 0 of 14 counties established, 4 reported.
  37. Colorado: 0 of 64 counties established, 4 reported.
  38. Wyoming: 0 of 23 counties established, 1 reported.
  39. Minnesota: 0 of 87 counties established, 3 reported.
  40. New Mexico: 0 of 33 counties established, 1 reported.
  • Established
  • Reported
  • No records

No county records at all in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington. That means none were reported to CDC, not that the tick could never be there.

Source: CDC county data, 2025 (opens in a new tab). Each state’s page has a map of its counties.

General range

The Lone Star tick's range covers much of the Southeast and eastern US. Reports reach into parts of the Midwest and Northeast. Ranges shift over time, and whether the tick is present varies by county.

Established or reported?

CDC sorts every county into one of three groups. Established means 6 or more ticks, or more than one life stage, were found there in a year. Reported means fewer were found. No records means none were reported to CDC, which does not prove there are none. The count of established counties in each state is in the table above.

Preferred habitats

  • Wooded areas and shady trail edges
  • Tall grass, brush, and overgrown fields
  • Leaf litter and dense ground cover
  • Yard borders where lawns meet woods

Tick presence ≠ disease risk

Ticks living in an area does not mean a bite will spread disease or cause alpha-gal syndrome. It is a reminder to take steps to prevent bites. Our state pages have local awareness and sources.

Common questions

Are Lone Star ticks spreading?

Reports suggest so. The range seems to have grown over time, including to the north. Whether they are present varies by county, so check state and local health resources for details.

How do I check my area?

Search your ZIP code, town or county on the home page to see CDC's record for your county. In the states where the tick is found or spreading, each county also has its own page with a map of the counties around it.

Sources

  1. 1.
    Lone Star Tick Surveillance Map Data, 2025 (county status) (opens in a new tab) · CDC

    Every county's status: Established (6 or more ticks, or more than one life stage, found in a year), Reported (fewer), or No records. Linked from CDC's Lone Star Tick Surveillance page.

  2. 2.
    Lone Star Tick Surveillance (opens in a new tab) · CDC

    County-level established vs. reported records. 'Established' = 6+ ticks or multiple life stages collected in 12 months.

  3. 3.
    Surveillance and Control of Ticks (opens in a new tab) · CDC

    Background on how tick presence is tracked across the United States.

  4. 4.
    Where Ticks Live (opens in a new tab) · CDC

    The Lone Star tick is widely distributed in the Northeast, South, and Midwest U.S.

  5. 5.
    TickEncounter Resource Center (opens in a new tab) · University of Rhode Island

    Tick identification, prevention, and reporting resources.

This guide is here to help you learn. It is not medical advice. If you have symptoms or questions, see a doctor. If someone has trouble breathing or a severe allergic reaction, call 911. Read our sources and disclaimer.