Sightings of the Supernatural

Aliens, ghosts, and the supernatural have long been a talking point across America, with tens of thousands of sightings of each reported since records began. And this summer, Maj. David Grusch, a retired Air Force intelligence officer, testified before Congress that U.S. officials have been concealing a program that captures UFOs – a topic that again brought up talk of paranormal activity and life beyond this world.

So BetMichigan.com took a pause from our Michigan online casinos coverage to uncover the states where you have the greatest chances of spotting a UFO or ghost in 2023. Analyzing the number of UFO and ghost sightings in all 50 states, collecting information from the National UFO Reporting Center and Ghosts of America, we can reveal the odds of seeing the supernatural in each state, listed from lowest percentage to highest.

Odds Of Reported Supernatural Sightings

Rank, State UFO Sightings Ghost Sightings Supernatural Total % Reporting Sightings
1. New York 5,771 2,157 7,928 0.0392%
2. Louisiana 1,107 725 1,832 0.0393%
3. Georgia 2,663 1,813 4,476 0.0418%
4. New Jersey 2,833 1,102 3,935 0.0424%
5. Maryland 1,786 859 2,645 0.0429%
6. Florida 8,090 1,785 9,875 0.0458%
7. Mississippi 769 598 1,367 0.0462%
8. Texas 6,011 7,517 13,528 0.0464%
9. North Carolina 3,592 1,582 5,174 0.0496%
10. Alabama 1,364 1,221 2,585 0.0515%
11. Virginia 2,643 1,894 4,537 0.0526%
12. Tennessee 2,260 1,385 3,645 0.0527%
13. Illinois 4,206 2,584 6,790 0.0530%
14. Minnesota 2,077 1,001 3,078 0.0539%
15. Delaware 409 133 542 0.0548%
16. Pennsylvania 4,916 2,268 7,184 0.0553%
17. Massachusetts 2,642 1,459 4,101 0.0583%
18. California 15,901 7,184 23,085 0.0584%
19. Hawaii 663 192 855 0.0588%
20. South Carolina 2,202 914 3,116 0.0609%
21. Ohio 4,371 2,948 7,319 0.0620%
22. Michigan 3,584 2,759 6,343 0.0629%
23. Utah 1,482 604 2,086 0.0638%
24. Kentucky 1,661 1,251 2,912 0.0646%
25. Nevada 1,660 370 2,030 0.0654%
26. Nebraska 688 595 1,283 0.0654%
27. Wisconsin 2,403 1,584 3,987 0.0676%
28. Connecticut 1,982 493 2,475 0.0686%
29. Arkansas 1,261 828 2,089 0.0694%
30. Colorado 3,173 855 4,028 0.0698%
31. Iowa 1,202 1,051 2,253 0.0706%
32. Indiana 2,666 2,178 4,844 0.0714%
33. Missouri 2,762 1,671 4,433 0.0720%
34. Kansas 1,162 966 2,128 0.0724%
35. Rhode Island 592 254 846 0.0771%
36. Arizona 4,865 805 5,670 0.0793%
37. West Virginia 891 608 1,499 0.0836%
38. Oklahoma 1,456 1,941 3,397 0.0858%
39. North Dakota 272 409 681 0.0874%
40. South Dakota 384 426 810 0.0914%
41. Idaho 1,328 530 1,858 0.1010%
42. Oregon 3,496 806 4,302 0.1015%
43. New Mexico 1,637 624 2,261 0.1068%
44. New Hampshire 1,176 297 1,473 0.1069%
45. Wyoming 408 218 626 0.1085%
46. Washington 7,076 1,332 8,408 0.1091%
47. Alaska 633 239 872 0.1189%
48. Montana 984 390 1,374 0.1267%
49. Vermont 601 240 841 0.1308%
50. Maine 1,163 800 1,963 0.1441%

Most And Least Common Places To See A UFO

Investigating sighting data since records began, we’ve ranked each state according to the likelihood of experiencing alien life.

Where Are You Most Likely To See A UFO?

With an incredible 15,901 sightings in the Golden State, more than anywhere else in the U.S., California is the UFO capital of America. This is almost twice the number of extra-terrestrial encounters recorded in Florida (8,090), which places second overall.

Meanwhile, Washington (7,076) is the third likeliest state to experience alien life, followed by Texas and New York, which recorded 6,011 and 5,771 encounters, respectively. Rounding out the 10 most likely places to spot a UFO: Pennsylvania (4,916) Arizona (4,865), Ohio (4,371), Illinois (4,206) and Norh Carolina (3,592).

Where Are You Least Likely To See A UFO?

In contrast to California and Florida, which each recorded thousands of UFO sightings, North Dakota has registered just 272 instances and its neighbor South Dakota has recorded 384 since records began. So if you’re on the lookout for alien life, steer clear of the Dakotas!

Extra-terrestrial sightings in Wyoming are similarly rare, with just 408, followed by Delaware with 409. The chances of seeing a UFO ramp up slightly in Rhode Island (592) and Vermont (601), but the encounter-rate is still leaps and bounds below the big hitters. Alaska (633), Hawaii (663), Nebraska (688) and Mississippi (769) complete the 10 least likely states to spot a UFO.

Most And Least Common Places To See A Ghost

Analyzing ghost sightings since records began, we can reveal the spookiest states across America, and where you’re safest from spirits and specters!

Where Are You Most Likely To See A Ghost?

In America, ghost sightings aren’t quite as common as extra-terrestrial experiences, but that’s not to say that some states don’t have a history of folks reporting that they saw spirits. There have been a whopping 7,517 registered sightings in Texas alone, making the Lone Star State the “spookiest” in America. Not far behind, Californians (7,184) say they have experienced just short of 7,000 sightings. Ohio (2,948), Michigan (2,759), and Illinois (2,584) each have reported at least 2,500.

Completing the top 10 places are Pennsylvania (2,268), Indiana (2,178), New York (2,157), Oklahoma (1,941) and Virginia (1,894). Meanwhile, despite a rich history of the paranormal thanks to its infamy as the site of the 17th-century Salem witch Trials, Massachusetts (1,459) only placed No. 16 for spooky encounters.

Where Are You Least Likely To See A Ghost?

With just 133 ghost sightings since records began, Delaware can be called the least “spooky” state, followed by Hawaii (192) and Wyoming (218), which place second and third, respectively.

Alaska hasn’t seen much ghostly activity either, with just 239 encounters reported. Vermont (240), Rhode Island (254) and New Hampshire (297) have each also recorded fewer than 300. Completing the 10 states with the fewest reports, we have Nevada (370), Montana (390), and North Dakota (409). South Dakota (426) ranks No. 11.

States With Lowest And Highest Odds Of Seeing The Supernatural

Taking combined paranormal experiences and population of each state into account, we’ve revealed the areas across America where you have the highest and lowest chances of experiencing the supernatural.

Where Are You Most Likely To Spot The Supernatural?

Combining overall UFO and ghost sighting data since records began, and taking population into account, the state with the highest chance of supernatural sightings is Maine, with 0.144% of the population reporting about experiencing the supernatural. That’s still not exactly common; if Michigan sports betting operators placed a moneyline on such a thing, it would be +69344 odds. Give or take.

Taking second spot, the next most likely place to experience the paranormal is Vermont (0.131% of the population), followed by Montana (0.127%), Alaska (0.119%) and Washington (0.109%).

Where Are You Least Likely To Spot The Supernatural?

Diving into the states where you have the lowest odds of seeing the supernatural, we have New York with just 0.0392% of people reporting that they spotted something spooky or alien. At Michigan sportsbook apps that would translate to +255000 odds. Following closely, are Louisiana (0.0393%) and Georgia (0.0418%). Michigan weighs in right about in the middle among the 50 states, in the No. 22 spot, at 0.0629%, or +158883 odds.

We all know the chances of spotting a ghost or UFO are slim, but stranger things have happened — so make sure to keep your eye out for the supernatural wherever you go. For even more incredible odds, discover all the latest Michigan sportsbook offers available here at BetMichigan.com.

For media inquiries, contact [email protected]. Data correct as of Sept. 5, 2023.

Fair Use

When using this data and research, please attribute by linking to this study and citing BetMichigan.com.

Author

The veteran team of Michigan sports betting and casino experts behind BetMichigan.com help you find the best Michigan sportsbooks and online casinos that are right for you.

Cited by leading media organizations, such as: