Empire State of Fear: New York Named Most Haunted State in America

The Most Haunted State in America?

A new study says New York is officially the most haunted state in America, and honestly, no one from Upstate is surprised.

Between abandoned asylums, battlefield spirits, and haunted mansions, the Empire State has more ghost stories than Stewart’s has coffee flavors.

Researchers from Casino.ca analyzed more than 1.8 million paranormal reports over the past century.  They included eyewitness accounts from Ghosts of America and thousands of social media mentions.

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They found that New Yorkers reported an eerie 160,000 spirit encounters, or 81 per 10,000 residents, making it the highest rate in the country.

Haunted History All Over the Empire State

While Manhattan’s historic Morris-Jumel Mansion topped the state’s haunted list, Upstate New York could easily give it a run for its money.  As you'll see, there’s no shortage of paranormal activity north of the city.

Here are just a few of the Upstate legends that keep ghost hunters coming back:

• Fort William Henry (Lake George): Visitors swear they’ve heard cannon fire and footsteps from long-gone soldiers.
• The Shanley Hotel (Napanoch): Known as one of the most haunted inns in America, where guests claim to see full-body apparitions.
• Dr. Best House (Middleburgh): Creaking floors, disembodied voices, and the ghost of the doctor himself reportedly greet curious visitors.
• Beardslee Castle (Little Falls): Elegant dinners with a side of ghostly apparitions, and diners have reported silverware moving on its own.
• Canfield Casino (Saratoga Springs): Featured on Ghost Hunters, the historic venue is said to be home to mysterious cold spots and phantom perfume.
• Whitehall’s Sasquatch Sightings: Not exactly ghosts, but if New York’s haunted, Bigfoot’s definitely renting property in Washington County.

Ghosts Love New York’s History

“New York seems to have the perfect mix of history and atmosphere to keep spirits lingering,” said analyst Katt Rodrigues. With centuries-old architecture, Revolutionary War battlefields, and family-run cemeteries in nearly every town, it’s easy to see why the supernatural might stick around.

For the record, Texas, Louisiana, California, and Utah round out the top five most haunted states — but none can compete with the Empire State’s mix of eerie charm and deep-rooted history.

So if you’ve ever heard footsteps in Fort Ticonderoga, whispers in the halls of the Gideon Putnam, or felt a chill at the Canfield Casino… congrats, you might have just added to New York’s ghost count.