Where Superstition Is Most Common in America
From old traditions to modern rituals, superstition is still very much present in Americans’ daily lives. While many people like to joke that they “don’t believe in that stuff,” search data tells a different story.
Across the US, millions of people turn to Google every year to decode mysterious numbers, interpret feathers found on the sidewalk, or check whether breaking a mirror really brings seven years of bad luck. But have you ever wondered which US states are the most superstitious?
A new study by Tarotoo reveals where superstition is alive and well across the country. The study ranked all 50 states by analyzing their Google searches for 25 popular superstitions and adjusting the data per 100,000 residents.
The US states where superstition is strongest
Nevada stands clearly at the top, tallying an astonishing 13,612 searches per 100,000 people, making it the superstitious capital of the US. Residents frequently look up everything from lucky charms to the meaning of angel numbers, showing that curiosity about fate and fortune is part of everyday life in the state.
Delaware is second with 10,895 searches, reflecting strong interest in red string bracelets, sage-burning rituals, and the symbolism behind various omens. Rhode Island ranks in third place with 10,504 searches, where residents often check meanings behind birds hitting windows, fingers crossed, and other classic signs.
Illinois (9,833 searches) and Colorado (9,811 searches) take fourth and fifth, respectively. Arizona (9,754), Pennsylvania (9,673), California (9,656), Georgia (9,599), and Kentucky (9,580) complete the top 10.
The full list of US states where superstition is most common:
| Rank | State | Superstition-related Google searches per 100,000 people |
| 1 | Nevada | 13,612 |
| 2 | Delaware | 10,895 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 10,504 |
| 4 | Illinois | 9,833 |
| 5 | Colorado | 9,811 |
| 6 | Arizona | 9,754 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 9,673 |
| 8 | California | 9,656 |
| 9 | Georgia | 9,599 |
| 10 | Kentucky | 9,580 |
| 11 | Utah | 9,551 |
| 12 | New York | 9,474 |
| 13 | West Virginia | 9,424 |
| 14 | New Mexico | 9,289 |
| 15 | North Carolina | 9,239 |
| 16 | Ohio | 9,231 |
| 17 | Wyoming | 9,228 |
| 18 | Nebraska | 9,189 |
| 19 | Texas | 9,125 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | 9,060 |
| 21 | Maine | 9,013 |
| 22 | Tennessee | 8,988 |
| 23 | Indiana | 8,903 |
| 24 | Connecticut | 8,879 |
| 25 | Oregon | 8,849 |
| 26 | New Jersey | 8,837 |
| 27 | North Dakota | 8,753 |
| 28 | Michigan | 8,664 |
| 29 | Louisiana | 8,619 |
| 30 | Vermont | 8,592 |
| 31 | Maryland | 8,568 |
| 32 | Virginia | 8,564 |
| 33 | Massachusetts | 8,485 |
| 34 | Missouri | 8,384 |
| 35 | Alabama | 8,311 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | 8,268 |
| 37 | South Dakota | 8,223 |
| 38 | South Carolina | 8,180 |
| 39 | Kansas | 8,098 |
| 40 | Alaska | 7,988 |
| 41 | Washington | 7,967 |
| 42 | Montana | 7,882 |
| 43 | Florida | 7,830 |
| 44 | Arkansas | 7,733 |
| 45 | Iowa | 7,716 |
| 46 | Minnesota | 7,700 |
| 47 | Hawaii | 7,696 |
| 48 | Wisconsin | 7,607 |
| 49 | Mississippi | 7,338 |
| 50 | Idaho | 7,201 |
Methodology
The study analyzed 25 of the most common superstitions across all 50 US states. Searches included 666 meaning, Angel numbers, bad luck, Broken mirror, Burning sage, Cat crossing your path, Crows meaning, Elephant with trunk up, Evil eye, Finding a penny, Finding a white feather, Fingers crossed, Four leaf clover, Friday the 13th, Goldfish for luck, Horseshoe, How to avoid bad luck, Itchy palms meaning, Knocking on wood, Lucky charms, Lucky number, Opening an umbrella indoors, Rabbit’s foot, Red string bracelet, salt for protection, and Walking under a ladder.
To make fair comparisons between states, the search volume was adjusted per 10,000 residents. This allowed the study to rank states based on how actively people are searching for superstitions, regardless of population size.