Wolf Population by State 2025

State
Estimated Wolf Population
Year Estimate Completed
Additional Wolf Population Details
Alaska Flag
Alaska9,4502017Gray wolves. Original estimate was given as a range of 7,700-11,200.
Minnesota Flag
Minnesota2,9192023Gray wolves.
Idaho Flag
Idaho1,1502023Gray wolves.
Montana Flag
Montana1,0962023Gray wolves.
Wisconsin Flag
Wisconsin1,0072023Gray wolves.
Michigan Flag
Michigan7622023Gray wolves.
Wyoming Flag
Wyoming3522023Gray wolves.
Washington Flag
Washington2302025Gray wolves.
Oregon Flag
Oregon2042025Gray wolves.
New Mexico Flag
New Mexico1622024Mexican gray wolves.
Arizona Flag
Arizona1242024Mexican gray wolves.
California Flag
California502024Gray wolves.
Colorado Flag
Colorado292025Gray wolves.
North Carolina Flag
North Carolina162025Red wolves.
Maine Flag
MaineWolves once existed throughout Maine but were eliminated by European settlers.
Nevada Flag
NevadaGray wolves once existed throughout Nevada but were eliminated by European settlers. However, due to nearby viable populations in Idaho and Wyoming, wolves may migrate into Nevada.
New Hampshire Flag
New HampshireWolves once existed throughout New Hampshire but were eliminated by European settlers.
New York Flag
New YorkWolves once existed throughout New York but were eliminated by European settlers. However, due to the close proximity of viable wolf populations in Canada, wolves may return to New York in the future.
North Dakota Flag
North DakotaGray wolves once existed throughout North Dakota but were eliminated by European settlers. Occasional wolf sightings occur, but no breeding pairs or packs have been identified.
South Dakota Flag
South DakotaGray wolves once existed throughout South Dakota but were eliminated by European settlers. Currently no established wolf populations have been found in this state.
Tennessee Flag
TennesseeRed wolves once inhabited Tennessee but were eliminated by European settlers. Efforts to reintroduce them in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have failed thus far.
Utah Flag
UtahGray wolves once existed throughout Utah but were eliminated by European settlers. After the first collared wolf seen in decades was captured and returned to Yellowstone National Park, Utah created a wolf management plan in anticipation of their return.
  • Many wolves in the colonial United States were killed by European settlers, primarily due to conflicts with livestock, fear of attacks on humans, and habitat destruction driven by the expansion of agriculture and settlement. Bounties and predator control programs were often implemented to reduce wolf populations, often leading to widespread extermination efforts.
  • All totals are best available estimates as of 2025, although the years during which individual estimates were made may vary.