Ghost & Paranormal Belief Statistics in the US: 2026 Data

Ghosts are the second most widely believed paranormal phenomenon in America, and belief has proven remarkably durable — roughly four in ten US adults think ghosts are real, about one in five say they have personally seen one, and two-thirds report some kind of paranormal encounter. This guide compiles the latest verified US statistics from Gallup, YouGov and the Chapman University Survey of American Fears.

How many Americans believe in ghosts?

Belief in ghosts among US adults sits in the high-30s to mid-40s depending on the year and question wording. Gallup’s 2025 poll found 39% believe in ghosts, while YouGov’s 2025 survey put belief that ghosts exist at 41%; earlier YouGov polls recorded 45–46% around 2019–2020 (Gallup, 2025; YouGov, 2025). Ghosts consistently rank as the second most widely held paranormal belief, behind only psychic or spiritual healing.

Which paranormal beliefs are most and least common?

Most paranormal beliefs are held by a minority of Americans. Gallup’s 2025 survey found psychic or spiritual healing the most widely believed at 48%, followed by ghosts at 39%, with telepathy, communication with the dead, clairvoyance, astrology (25%), reincarnation (24%) and witches (24%) clustered lower. Outright disbelief is the majority view for several: at least half of Americans say they do not believe in clairvoyance (50%), reincarnation (50%), astrology (55%) or witches (60%) (Gallup, 2025).

How many Americans say they’ve experienced the paranormal?

Personal experience is surprisingly common. About 20% of Americans say they have personally seen a ghost, and roughly two-thirds say they have had at least one paranormal encounter of some kind (YouGov, 2021; YouGov, 2022). Among those who say they have lived in a house they believed was haunted, large majorities report having felt a presence (71%), heard an unexplained sound (62%) or smelled an unexplained odour (58%) (YouGov, 2025). Of the people who report having encountered a spirit, most say it happened more than once.

Who believes? Gender, age, politics and education

Gallup’s 2025 analysis divides Americans into roughly 34% who are open to the paranormal and 66% who are generally sceptical. Openness is higher among women (40%), political moderates (37%) and liberals (35%), and infrequent churchgoers (40%); it is lower among men (28%), conservatives (28%), weekly churchgoers (22%) and college graduates (28%) (Gallup, 2025).

Gender

The clearest divide is gender: women are more likely than men to believe ghosts exist (42% vs 33%) and to believe some people have paranormal abilities (55% vs 44%) (YouGov, 2025). The Chapman Survey of American Fears finds the same pattern across most spiritual or “nonmaterial” phenomena (Silva & Woody, 2022).

Age

Younger Americans are somewhat more likely to say they have personally encountered a ghost, and adults under 45 are far more likely than older adults to claim a paranormal ability such as sensing auras or hearing spirits (YouGov, 2022).

Is belief in ghosts rising?

Despite the wave of paranormal content on TikTok, in podcasts and on reality TV, the survey data does not show a surge in belief. Gallup found Americans’ belief in five of its eight paranormal phenomena in 2025 was statistically similar to its 2001 readings, and its longer record shows the share holding at least one paranormal belief edging down slightly, from 76% in 2001 to 73% by 2005 (Gallup, 2025). Ghosts remain popular, but the “everyone is becoming a believer” narrative is not supported by the numbers.

Ghosts and real estate: haunted-house disclosure

Belief spills over into practical attitudes. Half of Americans (51%) say that if a homeowner believes their house is haunted, they should be legally required to disclose it when selling — a view held more strongly by women (58%) than men (44%) (YouGov, 2025).

Why do Americans believe in ghosts?

Psychologists point to context and prior belief as the two most important factors: being told a place is haunted primes people to read ordinary noises, draughts and cold spots as paranormal, and existing believers are more likely to have a “ghostly” experience in a supposedly haunted location. Sleep paralysis, which can create a vivid sense of a presence in the room, and the emotional comfort of believing something survives death are further contributors (via IFLScience).

Frequently asked questions

What percentage of Americans believe in ghosts?

Around 39% of US adults say they believe in ghosts (Gallup, 2025), while YouGov’s 2025 survey put belief that ghosts exist slightly higher at 41%. The figure has sat in the high-30s to mid-40s across recent years.

How many Americans have seen a ghost?

About 20% of Americans say they have personally seen a ghost (YouGov, 2021), and roughly two-thirds say they have had at least one paranormal encounter of some kind (YouGov, 2022).

Is belief in ghosts increasing in the US?

No. Despite the surge in paranormal content online, Gallup found Americans’ belief in most paranormal phenomena in 2025 was statistically similar to 2001 — belief is broadly stable, not rising.

Who is most likely to believe in ghosts?

Women are more likely than men (42% vs 33%), people who attend religious services infrequently are more open than regular churchgoers, and younger adults are more likely to report having encountered a ghost.

About this data

Produced by the editorial team at TarotCards.io, home to free tarot readings and astrology guides. Every figure is drawn from a named primary source, listed below, and the page is reviewed twice a year.

Related guides

• Ghost & Haunting Statistics (UK)
• Spirituality & New Age Statistics (US)
• Witchcraft Statistics (US)

Sources & references

1. Gallup — “Paranormal Phenomena Met With Skepticism in U.S.” (2025)
2. YouGov — “Most Americans say they have experienced at least one paranormal event” (2025)
3. YouGov — “Two in five Americans say ghosts exist” (2021)
4. YouGov — “Two-thirds of Americans say they’ve had a paranormal encounter” (2022)
5. YouGov — “Many Americans believe ghosts and demons exist” (2019)
6. Chapman University Survey of American Fears — supernatural belief by demographics (Silva & Woody, 2022)
7. IFLScience — “Why People Believe In Ghosts” (Prof. Christopher French; psychology of belief)