Raccoons primarily live in North and Central America, with their original natural habitat being deciduous and mixed forests. They favor wooded areas near water sources such as rivers, streams, ponds, and marshes. Besides forests, raccoons are highly adaptable and can live in various environments including mountainous areas, coastal marshes, agricultural lands, and urban or suburban neighborhoods where food and shelter are available. Common dens for raccoons include hollow trees, tree cavities, burrows dug by other animals, dense undergrowth, rock crevices, abandoned buildings, and even attics or chimneys in urban settings. They tend to avoid open terrain but thrive in environments that provide vertical structures for climbing and protection from predators and harsh weather.

In urban areas, raccoons often find shelter in attics, garages, sheds, porches, and abandoned buildings, making the most of human environments especially where food is accessible from garbage, bird feeders, or pet food. Their adaptability allows them to survive and even thrive in close proximity to humans.

Hence, raccoons live in a diverse range of habitats but have a strong preference for wooded areas near water and adapt well to human environments when necessary.