Jersey City, NJ

Nymphs are questing, the highest-risk stage for people. Nymphal deer ticks peak in late spring and summer. They're the size of a poppy seed, easy to miss, and cause most Lyme transmission.

Jersey City is 22% natural land cover (13% forest, plus open and brushy areas) across its 14.75 sq mi, home to about 291,657 people. That makes it the 4th-most wooded of the 12 towns in Hudson County. Deer ticks live in wooded areas, along trail edges, and in tall grass — the more of that a town has, the more places ticks can quest.

Hudson County reports about 18 Lyme cases per 100,000 people a year, the 208th-highest of 210 Northeast counties. That county-level disease pressure, combined with Jersey City's local habitat, sets how high its daily score can climb when the weather and season allow.

Yes. Nymphs are questing, the highest-risk stage for people. In Jersey City, today's risk reads low (14/100). Tick activity is low right now, but never zero. A quick check after time outdoors is still worth it.