To discover the most haunted states in the US, BonusFinder.com, America’s leading casino bonus and online casino review site, analyzed the number of ghost sightings, haunted locations, cemeteries, and paranormal investigators across the country to determine which states truly embrace their haunted reputations. Prepare to explore the spookiest corners of the nation as we reveal the most haunted US states that are bound to give you goosebumps!
These Are the Most Haunted States in the US
From ghostly encounters to mysterious phenomena, here’s a look at the states where the supernatural thrives.
1. Maine (Haunted Score – 8.11 Out of 10)
No. of Cemeteries: 7,226 – 51.54 per 10,000 people
No. of Haunted Locations: 169 – 1.21 per 10,000 people
No. of Ghost Sightings: 781 – 5.57 per 10,000 people
No. of Paranormal Investigators: 12
Topping the list, Maine is notorious for its ghostly tales, from the haunted halls of Fort Knox to the eerie stories of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House.
Securing a total haunting score of 8.11 out of 10, the Pine Tree State is revealed to be the state with the third highest number of ghost sightings, with 5.57 sightings per 10,000 people. Maine came third only after Iowa (6.4 sightings per 10,000 people) and Arkansas (5.62 sightings).
Maine also ranked third on the number of cemeteries per capita with 51.54 cemeteries per 10,000 people. West Virginia is revealed to have the most cemeteries with a whopping 111.37 cemeteries per 10,000 people, while Kentucky took second place with 101.23 cemeteries.
With 1.21 haunted locations per 10,000 people, Maine ranked fourth on the list of the most haunted locations (after Wyoming, Vermont and Montana). Maine is also home to the fifth highest number of paranormal investigators per capita.
2. West Virginia (Haunted Score – 8 Out of 10)
No. of Cemeteries: 19,669 – 111.37 per 10,000 people
No. of Haunted Locations: 159 – 0.90 per 10,000 people
No. of Ghost Sightings: 613 – 3.47 per 10,000 people
No. of Paranormal Investigators: 7
Home to the infamous Mothman legend and the haunted Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, West Virginia is a hotspot for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers. Securing a total haunting score of 8 out of 10, the Mountain State is revealed to be the second most haunted state in the US.
With 111.37 burial grounds per 10,000 people, West Virginia is revealed to have the highest number of cemeteries per capita.
When it comes to spooky places and unexplained encounters, West Virginia ranked ninth for the most ghost sightings in the country, with 3.47 sightings per 10,000 people, and tenth for its number of haunted locations, with 0.9 per 10,000 people.
3. Kentucky (Haunted Score – 7.7 Out of 10)
No. of Cemeteries: 45,965 – 101.23 per 10,000 people
No. of Haunted Locations: 412 – 0.91 per 10,000 people
No. of Ghost Sightings: 1,257 – 2.77 per 10,000 people
No. of Paranormal Investigators: 19
Securing a total haunting score of 7.7 out of 10, Kentucky takes the third spot on our list of the most haunted states in America.
The Bluegrass State is revealed to have the second highest number of cemeteries per capita, with 101.23 burial grounds per 10,000 people and the highest number of cemeteries overall, with a total of 45,965 cemeteries located in the state.
Home to the world-famous Waverly Hills Sanatorium – known as one of the most haunted places on Earth – , Kentucky ranked ninth for the most haunted locations in the country, with 0.91 per 10,000 people.
When it came to paranormal encounters and those who investigate them, Kentucky ranked 17th for its number of ghost sightings, with 2.77 sightings per 10,000 people, and 20th for its number of paranormal investigators (19).
4. North Dakota (Haunted Score – 7.67 Out of 10)
No. of Cemeteries: 2,420 – 30.67 per 10,000 people
No. of Haunted Locations: 89 – 1.13 per 10,000 people
No. of Ghost Sightings: 409 – 5.18 per 10,000 people
No. of Paranormal Investigators: 7
Though its vast prairies may seem peaceful, North Dakota is revealed to be the fourth most haunted state in the US. Securing a total haunting score of 7.67 out of 10, North Dakota is revealed to have the fourth highest number of ghost sightings per capita, with 5.18 sightings per 10,000 people.
Home to several haunted hotspots, including the notorious Bonanza Inn and the Ghosts of Fort Totten, North Dakota ranked fifth for most haunted locations per capita, with 1.13 spooky places per 10,000 people.
When it came to the number of cemeteries and paranormal investigators per capita, North Dakota placed ninth with 30.67 burial grounds per 10,000 people and third for its number of paranormal investigators (7).
5. Vermont (Haunted Score – 7.55 Out of 10)
No. of Cemeteries: 1,925 – 29.72 per 10,000 people
No. of Haunted Locations: 90 – 1.39 per 10,000 people
No. of Ghost Sightings: 243 – 3.75 per 10,000 people
No. of Paranormal Investigators: 6
Ranking fifth on our list, Vermont’s old, historic towns and deep wilderness are prime territory for paranormal activity.
Scoring a total haunting score of 7.55 out of 10, Vermont is revealed to have the second most haunted locations per capita, with 1.39 spooky places per 10,000 people.
Vermont also ranked seventh for the most ghost hauntings in the country, with 3.75 per 10,000 people. When it came to cemeteries and paranormal investigators, Vermont ranked 20th with 29.72 burial grounds per 10,000 people and second for its number of paranormal investigators (6) per capita.
Which States Have the Most Haunted Locations?
For those drawn to eerie legends and spine-chilling destinations, some states stand out as paranormal hotspots. From abandoned asylums to haunted hotels and historic mansions with a ghostly reputation, these states boast the highest number of haunted locations in the US.
California topped the list of the most haunted locations in the country with a staggering 1,394 spooky places located in the Golden State. Boasting 930 spooky locations, Texas came in second while Ohio followed closely behind with 913.
When it comes to the most haunted places per capita, Wyoming is revealed to be home to the highest number of spooky locations with 1.94 spots per 10,000 people. Wyoming was followed by Vermont and Montana.
Which States Have the Most Ghost Sightings?
When it comes to ghost sightings, some states seem to attract more supernatural encounters than others. Whether it’s historic battlegrounds, old hotels, or abandoned towns, these places are teeming with reports of eerie apparitions and unexplained phenomena.
Topping the list of the most paranormal encounters is Texas, with a staggering 7,619 ghost sightings, followed closely by California with 7,338 sightings. Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois round out the top five, each with over 2,600 reported encounters.
However, when looking at ghost sightings on a per capita basis, smaller states take the lead. Iowa holds the top spot with an impressive 6.4 sightings per 10,000 people, followed by Arkansas at 5.62 and Maine at 5.57. North Dakota and Oklahoma also rank high, with 5.18 and 4.8 sightings per 10,000 people, respectively. These states may not have the largest populations, but their dense concentration of ghost sightings makes them paranormal hotspots.
Which States Have the Most Cemeteries?
Cemeteries, often tied to tales of hauntings and paranormal encounters, are a prominent feature in several states.
Kentucky leads the nation with a remarkable 45,965 cemeteries, followed by North Carolina with 37,700 and Virginia with 33,332. Tennessee and Georgia round out the top five, with 29,439 and 20,091 burial grounds, respectively.
On a per capita basis, smaller states take the lead. West Virginia ranks first with 111.37 cemeteries per 10,000 people, followed closely by Kentucky at 101.23. Maine, Mississippi, and Tennessee also have a high concentration of cemeteries, with 51.54, 48.49, and 40.86 per 10,000 people, respectively.
Which States Have the Most Paranormal Investigators?
With the rise of paranormal fascination, some states have become hubs for ghost hunters and paranormal investigators, individuals dedicated to uncovering the mysteries of the supernatural. If you’re seeking professional ghost hunters, these are the states where they’re most likely to be found.
Texas leads the country with a whopping 160 paranormal investigators, followed by California with 103. Virginia takes third place with 44 investigators, while Michigan and Pennsylvania round out the top five with 43 and 41 ghost hunters, respectively.
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Methodology
1. The population data was collected from the World Population Review website.
2. The number of cemeteries was acquired from an established public database of cemetery records, Find a Grave.
3. The data for ghost sightings and paranormal investigators was collected from the Ghosts of America website for all US states.
4. The data for haunted locations was collected from the Ghostquest website.
5. All the metrics listed above were normalized by population to get the values per 100,000 people, which were then used to calculate the scores.
