15 US States with the Highest Alien Encounter Reports

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Wondering which states have the most reported UFO sightings? The National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC) keeps track of these events, and some states consistently have far more reports than others. These numbers come directly from people who’ve seen something unusual – residents, travelers, and sometimes even pilots or police officers. It’s important to note these are total numbers, not adjusted for state population, so larger states naturally have more reports. However, when you look at reports per person, the top states change. Here are the 15 U.S. states with the most reported UFO/UAP sightings, based on NUFORC data and other research.

California

California leads the nation in reported UFO sightings, with nearly 17,000 submissions recorded by the National UFO Reporting Center. This high number likely reflects the state’s large size, busy air routes, and numerous opportunities for people to observe the sky, especially in its many cities and towns. These reports have been collected over many years from the public.

Florida

Florida has reported 8,754 UFO sightings, making it one of the states with the highest number of reports. Sightings have been recorded across the Gulf Coast, along the Atlantic coast, and in central Florida, an area known for frequent rocket launches and air traffic. The high number of reports likely reflects contributions from both residents and the many tourists who visit the state. These figures are compiled from data collected by the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC).

Washington

Washington State has 7,539 reported UFO sightings in the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC) database. These reports come from areas all over the state, including the Puget Sound, along the I-5 highway, and the eastern, more rural parts of Washington. When adjusted for population, Washington consistently ranks as one of the top states for UFO sightings. The 7,539 total represents the overall number of reports NUFORC has received from across the state.

Texas

As a lifelong UFO enthusiast, I’ve been digging into the data, and Texas really stands out! It’s got a whopping 6,591 reported sightings – and it makes sense, given how huge the state is. You get reports from big cities *and* really remote areas, even places with lots of air traffic from the military and commercial flights. Honestly, it’s no surprise – bigger population usually means more sightings. This data comes from NUFORC and covers years and years of observations, so it’s a pretty comprehensive look at what people have been seeing in the Texas skies.

New York

New York State has over 6,200 reported UFO sightings in the NUFORC database, coming from all over the state – from New York City to the lakes and rivers upstate. There’s usually an increase in reports when there are noticeable aerial phenomena, like meteor showers or bright lights. These numbers show that people in New York have been consistently reporting these events to NUFORC for a long time.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a total of 5,314 reported sightings. These reports come from all over the state, including the Allegheny Mountains, towns in the Susquehanna Valley, and the area between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The combination of dark, rural areas and large cities in Pennsylvania results in a consistent number of reports over time. The numbers used in this report are directly from the NUFORC state list.

Arizona

Arizona has received 5,285 reports, with many coming from its desert and mountain regions. When looking at specific counties, several areas show higher rates of these reports, likely due to the state’s dark night skies. This number represents the total reports filed with NUFORC from across Arizona. Maps that compare report rates per person often show several Arizona counties exceeding the national average.

Ohio

Ohio has a total of 4,679 reported UFO sightings, according to the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC). These reports come from all over the state, from the Lake Erie coast to areas near major highways in central and southern Ohio. The data, collected over many years, shows that public interest in UFOs tends to rise and fall in cycles. These figures are compiled from NUFORC’s official Ohio records.

Illinois

Illinois residents have reported 4,458 unidentified flying objects to the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC). These sightings come from all over the state, including the Chicago suburbs, smaller towns, and areas along rivers. The large number of reports has built up over many years, not just recently. You can find the source data for this information on NUFORC’s Illinois page.

North Carolina

North Carolina has received a total of 3,862 reported UFO sightings. These sightings have occurred all over the state, from the coast to the mountains, and happen throughout the year. The mix of dark, rural areas and rapidly growing cities likely contributes to the consistent stream of reports. These numbers come from a statewide analysis by NUFORC.

Michigan

As a big UFO enthusiast, I’ve been digging through the NUFORC database, and Michigan really stands out! There are 3,854 reported sightings in their files. What’s interesting is a lot of these come from towns near the Great Lakes or places where you can get a really wide view of the sky. It seems like when people are out enjoying the outdoors more, especially in the northern parts of the state, that’s when the reports tend to go up. Just to be clear, that 3,854 number is the total raw count of all reports filed with NUFORC from Michigan.

Oregon

Oregon has 3,748 reported UFO sightings. These incidents come from various areas of the state, including the Willamette Valley, coastal communities, and the high desert regions east of the Cascade Mountains. As with other western states, areas with less light pollution tend to have more sightings per person, according to outside research. This number represents the total count compiled by the long-running NUFORC organization.

Colorado

Colorado has over 3,500 reported UFO sightings in the NUFORC database. These sightings are most common along the Front Range and in mountain areas with clear views of the sky. More sightings tend to happen when people are outdoors enjoying recreational activities. This number represents the total reports from across the entire state as recorded by NUFORC.

New Jersey

New Jersey has received a total of 3,046 reported UFO sightings. These reports come from all over the state – the coast, suburbs, and inland towns. This number shows ongoing reports, not just a few isolated incidents, and is based on data from the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC).

Missouri

Missouri has seen 2,920 reported sightings. These reports come from all over the state, including the Ozark Mountains, along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, and in major cities. Interestingly, people have consistently reported these events over many years, not just when they’re featured in the news. The total number comes from NUFORC’s records for the entire state.

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2025-10-19 20:48