Most Americans are encouraged or ordered to stay indoors — except for essential activities as well as some exercise — in an effort to contain the coronavirus pandemic. For those who are able to get outdoors safely, the beginning of warmer weather is welcome good news. Springtime in the United States, however, also means the start of peak pollen season. Those going outdoors to find relief from cabin fever may be at risk of hay fever.
Plants seasonally release pollen grains as a way of reproducing. Plants seasonally release pollen grains as a way of reproducing, and during the season, people may breathe it in. In those who are allergic to pollen, breathing it causes an allergic reaction. Allergy sufferers report sneezing, runny noses, and itchy and watery eyes.
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 pollen index score for every major U.S. city. The pollen index score measures and records the daily pollen severity on a scale of 0 to 12. To determine the city in each state with the highest pollen levels, we averaged the pollen index scores of the most recent 30-day period, from March 8 through April 5. No data was available for Alaska or Hawaii.
Some parts of the country have more pollen than others. In several states, even the city with the highest 30-day average pollen level has a relatively low 30-day average compared to most U.S. cities. Meanwhile, a number of Southern states have 30-day average scores above 10 out of 12. For context, a pollen score of 9.7 or higher is considered “high” by pollen.com. If you’re struggling with allergies, here are some easy remedies that can help.
Click here to see the city with the worst pollen in every state
Alabama: Dothan
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 10.0 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Birch, SweetGum
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Alaska: no data available
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Arizona: Phoenix
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 9.4 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Mulberry, Ash, Juniper
Arkansas: Little Rock
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 8.3 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Oak, SweetGum
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California: Bakersfield
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 8.2 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Mulberry, Ash, Walnut
Colorado: Pueblo
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 9.5 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Elm, Maple, Juniper
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Connecticut: Hartford
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 7.5 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Alder
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Delaware: Dover
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 7.9 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Poplar, Juniper, Maple
Florida: Orlando
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 10.6 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Grasses, Bayberry
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Georgia: Albany
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 10.0 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Birch, SweetGum
Hawaii: no data available
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Idaho: Lewiston
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 7.2 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Alder, Birch, Juniper
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Illinois: Rockford
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 6.3 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Elm, Poplar
Indiana: Evansville
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 8.4 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Birch, Juniper
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Iowa: Council Bluffs
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 6.7 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Birch, Ash
Kansas: Wichita
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 7.6 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Maple, Birch
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Kentucky: Owensboro
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 8.4 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Birch, Juniper
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Louisiana: New Orleans
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 9.8 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Grasses, Bayberry
Maine: Portland
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 4.1 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Alder, Poplar, Juniper
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Maryland: Silver Spring
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 8.6 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Elm, Juniper
Massachusetts: Springfield
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 7.5 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Alder
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Michigan: Detroit
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 6.7 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Elm, Juniper
Minnesota: Rochester
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 4.0 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Alder, Elm
Mississippi: Gulfport
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 9.6 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Grasses, Bayberry
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Missouri: Saint Louis
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 8.7 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Juniper, Maple
Montana: Great Falls
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 3.9 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Alder, Poplar, Juniper
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Nebraska: Lincoln
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 6.9 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Birch, Ash
Nevada: Las Vegas
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 10.0 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Mulberry, Ash, Juniper
New Hampshire: Manchester
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 3.0 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Elm, Juniper
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New Jersey: Camden
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 8.0 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Alder
New Mexico: Roswell
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 10.5 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Oak, Ash
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New York: New York
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 7.0 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Alder
North Carolina: Raleigh
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 9.3 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Birch, Juniper
North Dakota: Bismarck
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 3.1 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Alder, Elm
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Ohio: Dayton
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 8.1 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Elm, Alder
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 9.4 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Maple, Ash
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Oregon: Medford
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 6.5 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Mulberry, Ash
Pennsylvania: Philadelphia
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 8.0 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Alder
Rhode Island: Providence
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 5.7 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Alder, Poplar
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South Carolina: Charleston
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 9.8 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Birch, SweetGum
South Dakota: Rapid City
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 5.4 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Juniper, Elm, Maple
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Tennessee: Johnson City
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 8.1 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Elm, Maple, Juniper
Texas: El Paso
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 10.0 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Mulberry, Ash, Poplar
Utah: Saint George
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 8.2 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Mulberry, Ash, Juniper
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Vermont: Brattleboro
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 5.3 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Poplar, Juniper
Virginia: Richmond
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 8.8 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Oak, Maple, Elm
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Washington: Seattle
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 7.6 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Sycamore, Mulberry, Ash
West Virginia: Beckley
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 8.1 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Birch, Juniper, Oak
Wisconsin: Madison
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 6.0 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Maple, Juniper, Alder
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Wyoming: Cheyenne
> Avg. pollen index (30 days): 6.6 out of 12
> Most common pollen types: Elm, Alder, Maple
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