Witchcraft & Wicca Statistics in the US: 2026 Data
Table of Contents
Witchcraft has gone from fringe to fashionable in a generation. The number of Americans practising Wicca rose more than fortyfold between 1990 and 2008, researchers now estimate over a million witches nationwide, and #WitchTok has turned modern witchcraft into a mass online culture — even though most Americans remain sceptical that witches are real. This guide compiles the verified US statistics from Trinity College’s ARIS, Pew and Gallup.
US witchcraft & Wicca statistics at a glance
- Researchers estimate there could be 1 to 1.5 million witches in the US today. (academic estimates)
- Wicca grew from about 8,000 adherents in 1990 to roughly 340,000 by 2008. (Trinity College, ARIS)
- Pew found about 0.4% of US adults identify as Pagan or Wiccan. (Pew, 2014)
- 24% of Americans believe in witches — but 60% do not. (Gallup, 2025)
- The growth is led by young adults leaving traditional religion for personal spirituality. (Trinity College / Pew)
- #WitchesOfInstagram has 10 million-plus posts and #WitchTok more than 8 million. (social platforms)
- Belief in witches is higher among women and those who attend religious services less often. (Gallup, 2025)
How many witches are there in the US?
Exact numbers are hard to pin down because many witches don’t identify with any formal religion, but the clearest data comes from tracking the Wiccan population. Trinity College’s American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) recorded roughly 8,000 Wiccans in 1990, about 134,000 in 2001 and around 340,000 by 2008 — a more than fortyfold rise over the period (Trinity College, ARIS). Building on that trajectory, researchers such as Helen Berger estimate there could be 1 to 1.5 million witches in the US today, many of whom identify as “eclectic” rather than strictly Wiccan (academic estimates). For comparison, Pew’s 2014 survey found about 0.4% of US adults identify as Pagan or Wiccan.
Do Americans believe in witches?
Practising witchcraft is not the same as believing witches are real — and on the latter, Americans are mostly sceptical. Gallup’s 2025 poll found 24% of Americans believe in witches, while 60% do not, making it one of the least-believed paranormal phenomena it tests (Gallup, 2025).
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Learn MoreWhy witchcraft is growing
Researchers link the rise to the decline of traditional religion, particularly among younger Americans seeking a more personal, self-directed spirituality, alongside witchcraft’s strong presence on social media. The #WitchesOfInstagram hashtag has surpassed 10 million posts and #WitchTok more than 8 million, helping normalise the practice for a new generation (social platforms). As with most spiritual belief, women are more likely than men to believe in and practise it (Gallup, 2025).
Frequently asked questions
How many witches are in the US?
Estimates suggest 1 to 1.5 million, based on the growth of the Wiccan population from about 8,000 in 1990 to roughly 340,000 by 2008 (Trinity College ARIS; academic estimates).
What percentage of Americans believe in witches?
About 24%, while 60% do not — one of the least-believed paranormal phenomena (Gallup, 2025).
Is witchcraft growing in the US?
Yes. The Wiccan population rose more than fortyfold between 1990 and 2008, and witchcraft’s online presence (#WitchTok, #WitchesOfInstagram) has expanded rapidly since.
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 source, listed below, and the page is reviewed twice a year.
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Sources & references
- Gallup — “Paranormal Phenomena Met With Skepticism in U.S.” (belief in witches, 2025)
- Trinity College ARIS & Pew data, reported (Wicca growth; 0.4% Pagan/Wiccan)
- Brandeis University — Prof. Helen Berger on the estimated 1.5 million witches
- Atmos — witchcraft’s growth and social-media presence (#WitchTok, #WitchesOfInstagram)
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