Healthy Habits - Pollen Index Scores

 Experts at handmade honey goods Bee Inspired measured pollen index scores across multiple locations in each state, which were then averaged to create a final pollen score out of 10 for each one and to identify America's hay fever capitals.

Oregon dominated the rankings with an average pollen score of 8.17, taking the title as the worst state in America for hay fever sufferers. The coastal town of South Beach registered the nation's highest index score of 8.96 alongside Sweet Home, Eugene, Gardiner and Bend. Even Portland – Oregon's least affected area – scored 8.10 which still exceeds most other states' highest readings.

Idaho claimed second place with an average pollen score of 6.20 across the state. The study found the highest counts are in Pocatello, American Falls and Twin Falls with index scores of 6.32.

Neighboring Colorado secured third position with an average pollen score of 6.19. La Jara recorded Colorado's peak pollen level at an index of 7.23, while Colorado Springs and its surrounding communities weren't far behind with 6.84.

Utah landed fourth place with an average pollen score of 6.14. Major population centers suffer from hay fever the most with Salt Lake City, Logan, Ogden and Provo all seeing an index score of 6.65.

The Pacific Northwest continued its domination as Washington completed the top five with an average pollen score of 6.13. Vancouver stood out with an exceptionally high index score of 8.10 while East Wenatchee and Yakima reached 7.61.

Wyoming took sixth place with an average pollen score of 5.95. The highest concentrations of pollen appeared in Evanston, Diamondville and Frontier with index scores of 6.65.

Northeastern states New Hampshire and Rhode Island tied for seventh with identical average pollen scores of 5.73. Manchester, Concord and Portsmouth led New Hampshire's readings with an index score of 5.85 while Bradford, Newport, Rockville and Providence topped Rhode Island's list at 5.73.

Despite its arid reputation, Nevada claimed eighth position with an average pollen score of 5.66. The tiny outpost of Montello produced the state's highest index score at 6.65.

Vermont secured ninth place with an average pollen score of 5.62. Southwestern towns, including Bennington, Manchester and Peru recorded the state's highest index score at 6.46.

The Empire State rounded out the top ten as New York received an average score of 5.38. The capital region, including Albany, Hudson and Glens Falls registered the state's peak index score at 6.46.

The worst states for hay fever sufferers

Rank	State	Average Pollen Score	Highest Pollen Areas	Highest Area Pollen Index Score
1	Oregon	8.17	South Beach, Sweet Home, Eugene, Gardiner, Bend	8.96
2	Idaho	6.20	Pocatello, American Falls, Twin Falls	6.32
3	Colorado	6.19	La Jara	7.23
4	Utah	6.14	Salt Lake City, Logan, Ogden, Provo	6.65
5	Washington	6.13	Vancouver	8.10
6	Wyoming	5.95	Evanston, Diamondville, Frontier	6.65
=7	New Hampshire	5.73	Manchester, Concord, Portsmouth	5.85
=7	Rhode Island	5.73	Bradford, Newport, Rockville, Providence	5.73
8	Nevada	5.66	Montello	6.65
9	Vermont	5.62	Bennington, Manchester, Peru	6.46
10	New York	5.38	Albany, Hudson, Glens Falls	6.46

The southeastern United States fared remarkably better for hay fever sufferers. Florida recorded the nation's lowest average pollen score at just 2.70. Even the Sunshine State's worst spots – West Palm Beach and Fort Pierce – registered an index score of 3.28, which falls far below readings from western states.

Alabama posted the second-lowest average pollen score at 2.81 nationwide. Northern regions, including Huntsville and Florence, topped state readings, but still measured a modest index score of 2.92.

Mississippi ranked third from bottom with a statewide average pollen score of 2.93. The highest concentrations appeared along the Tennessee border in Dundee, Southaven and Mound Bayou where index scores reached 3.24.

Georgia came fourth from the bottom averaging a pollen score of 3.10. Small towns including Swainsboro, Augusta and Sparta recorded the state's peak index scores at 3.57.

Tennessee followed with a statewide average pollen score of 3.29. Knoxville and nearby communities, including Maryville, Morristown and Oakridge, led state measurements with index scores of 3.53.

Louisiana registered the sixth-lowest average pollen score at 3.33. Jamestown and Shreveport topped state readings with index scores of 3.84.

North Carolina came next, with an average pollen score of 3.45. The northeastern communities of Elizabeth City, Jarvisburg and Sunbury recorded the state's highest index scores at 3.61.

West Virginia placed eighth from bottom with a statewide average pollen score of 3.48. Martinsburg stood out with an index score of 4.49, which significantly exceeded the state average.

South Carolina followed at ninth from the bottom averaging a pollen score of 3.59 statewide. Columbia and its surrounding areas, including Orangeburg and Peak, registered the state's highest index scores at 3.79.

Kentucky completed the bottom ten with a statewide average pollen score of 3.64. Paducah recorded Kentucky's highest index score at 4.20.

The best states for hay fever sufferers

Rank	State	Average Pollen Score	Highest Pollen Areas	Highest Area Pollen Index Score
1	Florida	2.70	West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce	3.28
2	Alabama	2.81	Huntsville, Florence	2.92
3	Mississippi	2.93	Dundee, Southaven, Mound Bayou	3.24
4	Georgia	3.10	Swainsboro, Augusta, Sparta	3.57
5	Tennessee	3.29	Maryville, Morristown, Oak Ridge, Pigeon Forge, Knoxville	3.53
6	Louisiana	3.33	Jamestown, Shreveport	3.84
7	North Carolina	3.45	Elizabeth City, Jarvisburg, Sunbury	3.61
8	West Virginia	3.48	Martinsburg	4.49
9	South Carolina	3.59	Columbia, Orangeburg, Peak, Pelion, Sumter	3.79
10	Kentucky	3.64	Paducah	4.20

Kara Brook Brown, Founder and Creative Director of Bee Inspired, commented:

"These numbers reveal striking differences in pollen levels between regions of America. People in states like Oregon and Idaho should check local pollen forecasts regularly since it can dramatically impact their daily comfort during peak seasons.

“However, this data not only reveals interesting findings for residents in these states, but for sufferers planning out-of-town trips as we are in the midst of the travel season. Florida is a renowned tourist hotspot with plenty to offer, from the theme parks to the beaches - but for those with hay fever, it's an even better option to consider given the low pollen score. And, similarly, New York is another popular state for tourism, so out-of-towners planning trips there this summer may reconsider, given its high score in the study.

"It's also worth considering that, even if you have hay fever but don't suffer too badly with it at the moment, the pollen count in your state might not be too high - so, if you're planning to take a trip to one of the top ten areas, don't dismiss your symptoms as being minor as they could become progressively worse in another location. Prepare yourself by packing all of the necessary medications, and be sure that you wash your clothes immediately after wearing them to prevent the pollen from settling on them."

ENDS

If you use these insights, please credit and link to https://beeinspiredgoods.com/, as they conducted the research.

Methodology:

A seed list of available zip codes with pollen data was sourced from https://www.pollen.com/ for each state.

For each location, the pollen index (PI) score for the past 30 days was retrieved. This was then used to calculate the average PI score for each location, on which the locations are ranked from highest PI score to lowest.

The average PI score was then also found by state, and the top five locations per state were found. The states were then ranked from highest average PI score to lowest.

Note: Alaska and Hawaii are not included in the data available from the site.

Full state rankings by average pollen score:

Rank	State	Average Pollen Score	Highest Pollen Area	Highest Area Pollen Index Score
1	Oregon	8.17	South Beach, Sweet Home, Eugene, Gardiner, Bend	8.96
2	Idaho	6.20	Pocatello, American Falls, Twin Falls	6.32
3	Colorado	6.19	La Jara	7.23
4	Utah	6.14	Salt Lake City, Logan, Ogden, Provo	6.65
5	Washington	6.13	Vancouver	8.10
6	Wyoming	5.95	Evanston, Diamondville, Frontier	6.65
7	New Hampshire	5.73	Manchester, Concord, Portsmouth	5.85
7	Rhode Island	5.73	Bradford, Newport, Rockville, Providence	5.73
8	Nevada	5.66	Montello	6.65
9	Vermont	5.62	Bennington, Manchester, Peru	6.46
10	New York	5.38	Albany, Hudson, Glens Falls	6.46
11	Massachusetts	5.32	Pittsfield	6.46
12	Montana	5.25	Kalispell	5.58
13	South Dakota	5.21	Burke, Okreek	5.43
14	North Dakota	5.18	Bismarck	5.75
15	California	5.00	Eureka	6.32
16	Connecticut	4.95	Mystic	5.73
17	Nebraska	4.79	Newport	5.43
18	Maine	4.75	Portland, Auburn, Augusta	4.94
19	Kansas	4.68	Rolla, Lake City, Englewood, Pierceville	5.62
20	Michigan	4.67	Muskegon	4.95
21	Illinois	4.61	Rockford	4.86
22	Delaware	4.56	Dover, Bethany Beach, Lewes	4.59
23	Maryland	4.52	Bel Air, Baltimore, Annapolis	4.61
24	New Jersey	4.49	Newark, Morristown, Trenton	4.63
25	Iowa	4.46	Sioux Center	5.15
26	Ohio	4.43	Toledo, Beaverdam	5.34
27	Wisconsin	4.40	Green Bay, Appleton	4.77
28	Minnesota	4.39	Marble, Walker	5.05
29	Arizona	4.37	Wickenburg, Prescott, Lake Havasu City	5.18
30	New Mexico	4.32	Cerro, Ranchos De Taos, Valdez	7.23
30	Missouri	4.32	Monroe City	4.75
31	Indiana	4.26	Cedar Lake, Gary	4.55
32	Pennsylvania	4.06	Scranton	5.23
33	Texas	3.92	Laredo	4.64
34	Virginia	3.86	Warrenton, Fredericksburg, Rileyville	4.49
35	Oklahoma	3.85	Fort Supply	5.62
36	Arkansas	3.76	Little Rock and surrounding areas	4.20
37	Kentucky	3.64	Paducah	4.20
38	South Carolina	3.59	Columbia and surrounding areas	3.79
39	West Virginia	3.48	Martinsburg	4.49
40	North Carolina	3.45	Elizabeth City, Jarvisburg, Sunbury	3.61
41	Louisiana	3.33	Jamestown, Shreveport	3.84
42	Tennessee	3.29	Knoxville and surrounding areas	3.53
43	Georgia	3.10	Swainsboro, Augusta, Sparta	3.57
44	Mississippi	2.93	Dundee, Southaven, Mound Bayou	3.24
45	Alabama	2.81	Huntsville, Florence	2.92
46	Florida	2.70	West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce	3.28