Coyotes live in almost every part of the United States, and their numbers have grown because they can survive in deserts, forests, farms, suburbs, and even large cities. Wildlife agencies do not do one single national count, so exact numbers are estimates built from state reports, harvest data, sightings, and habitat studies.
If you want to know where coyotes are most common, the answer usually comes down to land size, food, and how easily they adapt to people. The states below are widely recognized as having some of the largest coyote populations, with Texas leading by a large margin.
Texas has the largest coyote population
Texas has the highest estimated coyote population in the country, with some estimates placing it at more than 850,000 animals. Its huge size gives coyotes room to spread across deserts, grasslands, ranches, and wooded areas.
Coyotes do especially well in Texas because prey is everywhere, from rabbits and rodents to deer fawns and leftover food near towns. Even active hunting has not removed them, because coyotes often respond to pressure by reproducing quickly and moving into open territory.
California supports a massive coyote range
California is often ranked second, with estimates ranging from 250,000 to 750,000 coyotes, because the state includes many very different habitats. They live in deserts, mountains, coastal hills, and city edges, making them one of the most visible wild predators in the state.
California is unusual because coyotes are not only in remote places but also in major urban areas. They are regularly seen in neighborhoods around Los Angeles and San Diego, showing how easily they adapt to life near people.
Arizona and New Mexico remain strongholds
Arizona has one of the highest coyote totals in the Southwest, with estimates near 200,000. The dry climate and open land match the coyote’s original historical range, so the species has long been common there.
New Mexico also supports a large population because of its mix of desert scrub, grasslands, and mountain foothills. Coyotes in these states often face fewer barriers than in dense eastern forests, allowing them to spread widely across open terrain.
Kansas and the Great Plains remain core habitat
Kansas remains one of the strongest coyote states because the species originally expanded from the central plains. Large farm fields, prairie grass, and steady prey populations create ideal conditions for survival.
The Great Plains also provide many edge habitats, where open fields meet brush and woodland. Coyotes hunt best in these transition zones, which is why they continue to thrive in Kansas and nearby states despite farming and human growth.
Colorado and Nevada have large western populations
Colorado has a strong coyote population that spreads from the eastern plains to mountain valleys. Even areas with harsher winters still support large numbers because coyotes can change their diet and territory quickly.
Nevada also ranks high because wide desert basins and low human density give coyotes room to roam. They often survive in places where larger predators are scarce, helping them dominate many local food chains.
Why coyotes keep spreading across America
Coyotes once lived mostly in the western and central parts of North America, but they now occupy nearly every U.S. state except Hawaii. Their spread happened over the last century as forests were cleared, towns expanded, and larger predators declined.
They survive because they eat almost anything, from mice and fruit to trash and pet food left outside. That flexibility means even states without the highest totals can still have stable coyote populations in suburbs, parks, and farmland.
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