Special Report

City With the Worst Pollen in Every State

Jevtic / Getty Images
Michael B. Sauter, Samuel Stebbins, Grant Suneson
Published:
Last Updated:

Pollen is one of the most common allergy triggers and unfortunately it is tough to avoid. While it can be easier to avoid certain types of allergy triggers, such as food or pets — some types of dogs don’t even trigger allergies — it’s far more difficult to avoid pollen when outdoors.

Plants seasonally release pollen grains as a way of reproducing. Yet much of this pollen never reaches its destination, instead finding its way up people’s noses and causing allergic reactions. Allergy sufferers report sneezing, runny noses, and itchy and watery eyes.

As plants begin blooming, spring is often the time of year when people with pollen allergies have the most severe reactions. Pollen is the most plentiful during dry and windy days. Areas that are farther north are less likely to experience high pollen counts. People in the coldest cities in the country do not have to worry about plants blooming earlier in the year, and the higher rainfall totals also stops pollen from traveling as rain drops capture pollen in the air.

In each state, there is one city where pollen levels stand out from the rest of the state. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Pollen.com’s National Allergy Map to determine the city in each state with the highest average springtime pollen counts over the most recent 30 day period. No data was available for Alaska or Hawaii.

Some parts of the country have more pollen than others. In certain states in the Midwest, the city with the most pollen only reaches a low-medium level, as designated by pollen.com, while states in other regions have multiple cities with high pollen counts.

Click here to see the city with the worst pollen in every state
Click here to see the city with the least severe pollen in every state

Methodology

24/7 Wall St. reviewed Pollen.com’s National Allergy Map to determine the city in each state with the highest average pollen count. Cities were ranked on the average pollen index score on a 0-12 scale each day from March 5 through April 4. No data was provided for Alaska or Hawaii.

Worst Pollen

Source: RobHainer / Getty Images

Alabama: Auburn
> Avg. pollen index 9.9/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Oak, Juniper

See all stories featuring: Alabama

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Source: photographingtravis / Flickr

Alaska: No Data Available

See all stories featuring: Alaska

Source: Dreamframer / Getty Images

Arizona: Phoenix
> Avg. pollen index 10.0/12
> Most common pollen types: Mulberry, Ash, Juniper

See all stories featuring: Arizona

Source: navycrackerjack74 / Flickr

Arkansas: Conway
> Avg. pollen index 9.4/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Elm

See all stories featuring: Arkansas
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Source: dancestrokes / Getty Images

California: San Diego
> Avg. pollen index 8.7/12
> Most common pollen types: Mulberry, Juniper, Ash

See all stories featuring: California

Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons

Colorado: Pueblo
> Avg. pollen index 8.9/12
> Most common pollen types: Elm, Oak, Poplar

See all stories featuring: Colorado

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Connecticut: Hartford
> Avg. pollen index 6.7/12
> Most common pollen types: Elm, Maple, Poplar

See all stories featuring: Connecticut

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Source: Ataraxy22 / Wikimedia Commons

Delaware: Dover
> Avg. pollen index 7.3/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Elm, Juniper

See all stories featuring: Delaware

Source: Arrangements-Photography / Getty Images

Florida: Orlando
> Avg. pollen index 10.3/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Oak, Bayberry

See all stories featuring: Florida

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

Georgia: Augusta
> Avg. pollen index 10.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Poplar, Maple

See all stories featuring: Georgia

Source: Art Wager / Getty Images

Hawaii: No Data Available

See all stories featuring: Hawaii

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Source: bpperry / Getty Images

Idaho: Lewiston
> Avg. pollen index 6.9/12
> Most common pollen types: Alder, Ash, Birch

See all stories featuring: Idaho

Source: vxla / Flickr

Illinois: Rockford
> Avg. pollen index 4.9/12
> Most common pollen types: Elm, Maple, Poplar

See all stories featuring: Illinois

Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images

Indiana: Evansville
> Avg. pollen index 7.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Maple, Elm

See all stories featuring: Indiana
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Source: diversey / Flickr

Iowa: Council Bluffs
> Avg. pollen index 5.7/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Birch, Alder

See all stories featuring: Iowa

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Kansas: Wichita
> Avg. pollen index 6.7/12
> Most common pollen types: Elm, Juniper, Maple

See all stories featuring: Kansas

Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images

Kentucky: Hopkinsville
> Avg. pollen index 8.4/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Maple, Elm

See all stories featuring: Kentucky

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Source: Ken Lund / Wikimedia Commons

Louisiana: New Orleans
> Avg. pollen index 10.0/12
> Most common pollen types: Bald Cypress, Oak, Grasses

See all stories featuring: Louisiana

Source: HaizhanZheng / Getty Images

Maine: Portland
> Avg. pollen index 3.8/12
> Most common pollen types: Poplar, Juniper, Maple

See all stories featuring: Maine

Source: paulwasneski / Flickr

Maryland: Silver Spring
> Avg. pollen index 8.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Alder

See all stories featuring: Maryland

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Massachusetts: Springfield
> Avg. pollen index 6.7/12
> Most common pollen types: Elm, Maple, Poplar

See all stories featuring: Massachusetts

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Source: Bjoertvedt / Wikimedia Commons

Michigan: Sterling Heights
> Avg. pollen index 4.0/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper

See all stories featuring: Michigan

Source: StevenGaertner / Getty Images

Minnesota: Minneapolis
> Avg. pollen index 3.5/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Elm

See all stories featuring: Minnesota

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

Mississippi: Jackson
> Avg. pollen index 9.8/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Elm, Juniper

See all stories featuring: Mississippi
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Source: espiegle / Getty Images

Missouri: St. Louis
> Avg. pollen index 7.8/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Juniper, Elm

See all stories featuring: Missouri

Source: Douglas Rissing / Getty Images

Montana: Great Falls
> Avg. pollen index 5.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Alder, Juniper, Elm

See all stories featuring: Montana

Source: Matt Bills / Getty Images

Nebraska: Omaha
> Avg. pollen index 5.7/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Birch, Alder

See all stories featuring: Nebraska

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Source: f11photo / Getty Images

Nevada: Las Vegas
> Avg. pollen index 10.6/12
> Most common pollen types: Mulberry, Ash, Alder

See all stories featuring: Nevada

Source: sphraner / Getty Images

New Hampshire: Manchester
> Avg. pollen index 2.7/12
> Most common pollen types: Elm, Poplar, Juniper

See all stories featuring: New Hampshire

Source: ChrisBoswell / Getty Images

New Jersey: Camden
> Avg. pollen index 7.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper

See all stories featuring: New Jersey

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

New Mexico: Roswell
> Avg. pollen index 9.8/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Poplar, Elm

See all stories featuring: New Mexico

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Source: Eloi_Omella / Getty Images

New York: New York
> Avg. pollen index 6.6/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper

See all stories featuring: New York

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

North Carolina: Charlotte
> Avg. pollen index 9.4/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Elm, Juniper

See all stories featuring: North Carolina

Source: sakakawea7 / Getty Images

North Dakota: Bismarck
> Avg. pollen index 2.2/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Elm

See all stories featuring: North Dakota
ALSO READ: Cities Where You Don’t Want to Get Sick

Source: aceshot / Getty Images

Ohio: Cincinnati
> Avg. pollen index 6.5/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Elm, Alder

See all stories featuring: Ohio

Source: duggar11 / Wikimedia Commons

Oklahoma: Lawton
> Avg. pollen index 9.5/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Hackberry, Maple

See all stories featuring: Oklahoma

Source: Grant Wylie / Getty Images

Oregon: Medford
> Avg. pollen index 6.8/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Alder, Juniper

See all stories featuring: Oregon

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Source: davidwilson1949 / Flickr

Pennsylvania: Lancaster
> Avg. pollen index 7.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper

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Source: Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons

Rhode Island: Warwick
> Avg. pollen index 5.6/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Elm, Juniper

See all stories featuring: Rhode Island

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

South Carolina: Columbia
> Avg. pollen index 10.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Poplar, Maple

See all stories featuring: South Carolina

Source: EunikaSopotnicka / Getty Images

South Dakota: Rapid City
> Avg. pollen index 3.6/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Elm

See all stories featuring: South Dakota

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Source: Kruck20 / Getty Images

Tennessee: Chattanooga
> Avg. pollen index 8.4/12
> Most common pollen types: Alder, Juniper, Maple

See all stories featuring: Tennessee

Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons

Texas: Laredo
> Avg. pollen index 10.5/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Mulberry, Willow

See all stories featuring: Texas

Source: Eddie Maloney from North Las Vegas, USA / Wikimedia Commons

Utah: St. George
> Avg. pollen index 8.0/12
> Most common pollen types: Mulberry, Ash, Alder

See all stories featuring: Utah
ALSO READ: States Where People Are Too Sick to Work

Source: John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons

Vermont: Brattleboro
> Avg. pollen index 5.2/12
> Most common pollen types: Poplar, Juniper, Maple

See all stories featuring: Vermont

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Virginia: Richmond
> Avg. pollen index 9.2/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Birch

See all stories featuring: Virginia

Source: aiisha5 / Getty Images

Washington: Seattle
> Avg. pollen index 8.6/12
> Most common pollen types: Birch, Ash, Juniper

See all stories featuring: Washington

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Source: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) / Wikimedia Commons

West Virginia: Beckley
> Avg. pollen index 8.2/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Birch, Juniper

See all stories featuring: West Virginia

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Wisconsin: Madison
> Avg. pollen index 5.3/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Elm

See all stories featuring: Wisconsin

Source: hugo90 / Flickr

Wyoming: Evanston
> Avg. pollen index 5.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Elm, Poplar, Sycamore

See all stories featuring: Wyoming

Least Severe Pollen

Source: Anivron / Wikimedia Commons

Alabama: Huntsville
> Avg. pollen index 9.2/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Ash, Juniper

See all stories featuring: Alabama

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Source: sorincolac / Getty Images

Alaska: No Data Available

See all stories featuring: Alaska

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Arizona: Tucson
> Avg. pollen index 9.8/12
> Most common pollen types: Mulberry, Ash

See all stories featuring: Arizona

Source: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) / Wikimedia Commons

Arkansas: Jonesboro
> Avg. pollen index 8.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Birch, Willow

See all stories featuring: Arkansas
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Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

California: San Jose
> Avg. pollen index 7.2/12
> Most common pollen types: Ash, Alder, Juniper

See all stories featuring: California

Source: pauldineen / Flickr

Colorado: Fort Collins
> Avg. pollen index 5.0/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Poplar

See all stories featuring: Colorado

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Connecticut: Bridgeport
> Avg. pollen index 6.0/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Elm, Juniper

See all stories featuring: Connecticut

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Source: pabradyphoto / Getty Images

Delaware: Wilmington
> Avg. pollen index 7.3/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Elm, Juniper

See all stories featuring: Delaware

Source: Art Wager / Getty Images

Florida: Miami
> Avg. pollen index 8.2/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Bayberry, Juniper

See all stories featuring: Florida

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

Georgia: Savannah
> Avg. pollen index 9.4/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Birch, Juniper

See all stories featuring: Georgia

Source: maximkabb / Getty Images

Hawaii: No Data Available

See all stories featuring: Hawaii

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Source: DavidByronKeener / Getty Images

Idaho: Idaho Falls
> Avg. pollen index 4.5/12
> Most common pollen types: Poplar, Juniper, Elm

See all stories featuring: Idaho

Source: benkrut / Getty Images

Illinois: Champaign
> Avg. pollen index 4.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Elm, Maple, Poplar

See all stories featuring: Illinois

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Indiana: South Bend
> Avg. pollen index 2.6/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Elm, Maple

See all stories featuring: Indiana
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Source: dustin77a / Getty Images

Iowa: Sioux City
> Avg. pollen index 3.9/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Elm, Maple

See all stories featuring: Iowa

Source: KSGlen / Wikimedia Commons

Kansas: Salina
> Avg. pollen index 5.4/12
> Most common pollen types: Elm, Juniper, Maple

See all stories featuring: Kansas

Source: walkingsf / Flickr

Kentucky: Covington
> Avg. pollen index 6.5/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Elm, Alder

See all stories featuring: Kentucky

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Source: wellesenterprises / Getty Images

Louisiana: Monroe
> Avg. pollen index 9.6/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Bald Cypress, Grasses

See all stories featuring: Louisiana

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Maine: Bangor
> Avg. pollen index 2.3/12
> Most common pollen types: Poplar, Juniper, Maple

See all stories featuring: Maine

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Maryland: Baltimore
> Avg. pollen index 7.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Elm, Poplar

See all stories featuring: Maryland

Source: jjbers / Flickr

Massachusetts: Worcester
> Avg. pollen index 5.2/12
> Most common pollen types: Poplar, Juniper, Maple

See all stories featuring: Massachusetts

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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Michigan: Grand Rapids
> Avg. pollen index 2.3/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Birch

See all stories featuring: Michigan

Source: taarnes / Getty Images

Minnesota: Duluth
> Avg. pollen index 1.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Elm

See all stories featuring: Minnesota

Source: Thomas R Machnitzki / Wikimedia Commons

Mississippi: Southaven
> Avg. pollen index 8.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Birch, Willow

See all stories featuring: Mississippi
ALSO READ: The 25 Worst Cities for People With Spring Allergies

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Missouri: Kansas City
> Avg. pollen index 5.9/12
> Most common pollen types: Elm, Juniper, Maple

See all stories featuring: Missouri

Source: Tim Evanson / Wikimedia Commons

Montana: Bozeman
> Avg. pollen index 1.9/12
> Most common pollen types: Alder, Juniper, Elm

See all stories featuring: Montana

Source: diversey / Flickr

Nebraska: North Platte
> Avg. pollen index 4.3/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Elm, Juniper

See all stories featuring: Nebraska

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Source: gchapel / Getty Images

Nevada: Reno
> Avg. pollen index 6.6/12
> Most common pollen types: Elm, Alder, Mulberry

See all stories featuring: Nevada

Source: ErikaMitchell / Getty Images

New Hampshire: Lebanon
> Avg. pollen index 2.0/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Maple, Poplar

See all stories featuring: New Hampshire

Source: Lisa McCabe / Getty Images

New Jersey: Toms River
> Avg. pollen index 6.3/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Alder, Juniper

See all stories featuring: New Jersey

Source: teofilo / Flickr

New Mexico: Farmington
> Avg. pollen index 8.0/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Poplar, Elm

See all stories featuring: New Mexico

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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

New York: Syracuse
> Avg. pollen index 2.6/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Alder

See all stories featuring: New York

Source: bz3rk / Flickr

North Carolina: Raleigh
> Avg. pollen index 9.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Birch, Juniper, Maple

See all stories featuring: North Carolina

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

North Dakota: Fargo
> Avg. pollen index 1.6/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Elm

See all stories featuring: North Dakota
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Source: Mshake / Getty Images

Ohio: Toledo
> Avg. pollen index 2.5/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Elm, Alder

See all stories featuring: Ohio

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

Oklahoma: Tulsa
> Avg. pollen index 8.2/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Elm, Maple

See all stories featuring: Oklahoma

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Oregon: Eugene
> Avg. pollen index 6.3/12
> Most common pollen types: Alder, Juniper

See all stories featuring: Oregon

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Source: zrfphoto / Getty Images

Pennsylvania: Erie
> Avg. pollen index 2.2/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Elm, Maple

See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

Rhode Island: Providence
> Avg. pollen index 5.6/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Elm, Juniper

See all stories featuring: Rhode Island

Source: angelammiller / Flickr

South Carolina: Greenville
> Avg. pollen index 9.4/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Poplar, Maple

See all stories featuring: South Carolina

Source: Gelshore2 / Wikimedia Commons

South Dakota: Aberdeen
> Avg. pollen index 1.4/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Elm

See all stories featuring: South Dakota

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Source: 22711505@N05 / Flickr

Tennessee: Jackson
> Avg. pollen index 8.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Birch, Willow

See all stories featuring: Tennessee

Source: dszc / Getty Images

Texas: Austin
> Avg. pollen index 9.0/12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Mulberry, Grasses

See all stories featuring: Texas

Source: pasa / Flickr

Utah: Sandy
> Avg. pollen index 5.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Elm, Poplar, Sycamore

See all stories featuring: Utah
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

Vermont: Essex Junction
> Avg. pollen index 1.8/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Maple, Poplar

See all stories featuring: Vermont

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

Virginia: Arlington
> Avg. pollen index 8.1/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Alder

See all stories featuring: Virginia

Source: gregobagel / Getty Images

Washington: Spokane
> Avg. pollen index 6.0/12
> Most common pollen types: Alder, Ash, Birch

See all stories featuring: Washington

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Source: kenlund / Flickr

West Virginia: Wheeling
> Avg. pollen index 5.4/12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Elm

See all stories featuring: West Virginia

Source: ImagesbyK / Getty Images

Wisconsin: Green Bay
> Avg. pollen index 3.3/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Alder

See all stories featuring: Wisconsin

Source: hakkun / Wikimedia Commons

Wyoming: Rock Springs
> Avg. pollen index 3.2/12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Poplar

See all stories featuring: Wyoming

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Read more: Special Report, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

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