Spookiest Cities Report 2025

Key takeaways

• Gettysburg, PA; Estes Park, CO; and El Paso, TX, are the spookiest cities in America.
• Wyoming, North Dakota, and Vermont are the spookiest states of 2025, based on ghost sightings per 100K residents and haunted places per 100K residents.
• Searches for "ghost tours near me" are up 128% from the previous year.
• The top cities with the highest number of reported ghost sightings are El Paso, TX (197); Austin, TX (115); and Corpus Christi, TX (105).

As Halloween draws near, Americans are once again turning their attention to haunted places, ghost stories, and paranormal adventures. From eerie cities steeped in history to remote towns with chilling reputations, curiosity about the supernatural is on the rise.

To find out where the spooky season really comes to life, we analyzed factors like haunted places, ghost sightings, and eerie attractions across all 50 states and the nation's most spirited cities. Whether you're considering a haunted getaway or just love local lore, these rankings reveal where ghostly encounters are most likely to happen in 2025.

The states with the strongest paranormal presence

Some states stand out for more than just their fall foliage. They're hotspots for ghost sightings and haunted happenings. Here's how the 50 states rank for 2025 based on the number of haunted places and ghost sightings among Americans.

Wyoming, North Dakota, and Vermont claimed the top spots as the spookiest states in America this year. All three had high concentrations of haunted locations and ghost sightings per 100,000 residents. That means you're more likely to encounter the unexplained while hiking in the Tetons, driving through the Dakotas, or strolling down a quiet street in Burlington.

These findings may surprise some ghost hunters, as these states aren't always top of mind for paranormal tourism. But their smaller populations, combined with a high number of haunted places, created the perfect formula for supernatural encounters. If you're looking for a haunted getaway away from the crowds, these underrated states might be your best bet.

Top 10 States with the Most Ghost Sightings per 100K Residents

1. Maine (116.4)
2. North Dakota (104.8)
3. Oklahoma (98.1)
4. South Dakota (92.7)
5. Vermont (75.7)
6. Wyoming (75.1)
7. West Virginia (69.9)
8. Montana (69.0)
9. Iowa (66.7)
10. Kansas (66.5)

Top 10 States With the Most Haunted Places per 100K Residents

1. Wyoming (13.7)
2. Vermont (10.5)
3. Kentucky (8.4)
4. South Dakota (8.3)
5. North Dakota (7.7)
6. Hawaii (6.8)
7. Rhode Island (6.4)
8. West Virginia (6.1)
9. Nebraska (5.7)
10. Iowa (5.5)

Small towns and big scares: The top spooky cities of 2025

Some cities have built reputations on their haunted pasts, and they didn't disappoint in 2025. Here's how the 100 most populated cities — plus some towns well known for their spooky vibes — ranked based on ghost sightings, haunted places, search volume, funeral services, haunted house attractions, and spiritual shops.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, known for its Civil War battlefield and chilling ghost tours, ranked as the spookiest city in America this year. It edged out Estes Park, Colorado, home of the famously haunted Stanley Hotel, for the top spot after the two cities swapped places from last year's rankings. The shift shows how historical hauntings continue to be a powerful draw for thrill-seekers.

El Paso, Texas, rounded out the top three, standing out for its high number of ghost sightings and haunted hot spots. Meanwhile, Austin saw a drop in ranking, slipping from fifth to tenth place. Los Angeles held steady in sixth this year, its consistent position likely tied to its abundance of haunted places and long-standing lore.

Whether rooted in tragedy, legend, or urban myth, these cities continue to captivate both skeptics and believers alike.

What makes a city spooky? A closer look at the data

While some cities top the overall spooky rankings, each one earned its title in a different way. Whether it's the number of ghost sightings or spiritual shops, these eerie indicators reveal what kind of paranormal activity each city is best known for.

Nationwide, searches for "ghost tours near me" surged 128% compared to the previous year. This spike reflects growing curiosity about the paranormal, especially as Halloween approaches and people look for unique seasonal experiences.

El Paso, Austin, and Corpus Christi, Texas, reported the most ghost sightings in 2025, with El Paso alone logging 197 reports. These cities also benefit from a rich blend of historical sites and cultural stories that fuel local legends.

Los Angeles continued to top the list for the most haunted places, a title it held last year as well. From infamous hotels to eerie mansions, the city's haunted reputation remains strong, making it a go-to for ghost hunters on the West Coast.

Haunting highlights and Halloween insights

Spooky cities aren't just fun for ghost stories. They also reflect a growing fascination with the unknown. From Wyoming's chilling encounters to Gettysburg's ghostly tours, the spirit of the season is alive and well across the country.

As Americans embrace haunted tourism and dig deeper into local stories, it's clear that the interest in all things eerie isn't fading anytime soon. So whether you're planning a Halloween trip or just looking to explore the supernatural side of your hometown, there's never been a better time to get your scare on.

Methodology

For this study, we analyzed data from all 50 states and the 100 most populous U.S. cities, along with a curated list of widely recognized "spooky" towns with at least 5,000 residents, to determine the spookiest states and cities of 2025.

We evaluated each city based on:

• Number of haunted places per state/city per 100K residents
• Number of ghost sightings per state/city per 100K residents (as of September 10, 2025)
• Search volume for keywords like "ghost tours near me," "haunted houses near me," and "most haunted cities in America" per 10K residents; search trend comparisons were based on 2024 and 2023 data due to incomplete 2025 records.
• Yelp categories, including funeral services per 10K residents, haunted house attractions per 10K residents, and spiritual shops per 10K residents

Limitations: This ranking does not include all cities in the U.S. Ghost sightings and Yelp listings are subject to change daily.

Fair use statement

If you'd like to share our Spookiest Cities Report 2025, you're welcome to do so for noncommercial purposes. Please include a link back to this page to credit Vivint and provide readers access to the full findings and methodology.