Ohio Tops National Rankings in Google Ghost Searches, New Study Finds

Ohio has become the leading state in the country for online ghost searches.

In 1915, author James Thurber claimed to hear a ghost in his Columbus home. The event influenced his later short story, “The Night the Ghost Got In.” More than a century after that alleged encounter, the city continues to feature haunted landmarks such as the Thurber House and the Ohio Statehouse. Local legends also persist around Ohio State University’s campus.

A new study by Action Network ranked all 50 states and Washington, D.C., based on five paranormal factors. These metrics included reported ghost sightings, cemetery counts, haunted locations, ghost towns, and Google search volume. Each category was adjusted for population size, measuring activity per 100,000 residents.

Ohio secured the top spot specifically through its search activity. The state averaged 470 ghost-related Google searches per month for every 100,000 people. Illinois finished second with an average of 467 searches per 100,000 residents. This ranking distinguishes Ohio from states that lead in other categories. Maine recorded the highest rate of reported ghost sightings in the data. West Virginia achieved the highest overall score, aided by its high number of cemeteries and strong performance in ghost sightings and ghost town metrics.

The study provides a quantitative look at regional paranormal interest. Ohio’s position reflects a high volume of digital inquiries rather than a high number of physical reports. The data allows for a comparison of how different states engage with ghost-related topics online. Columbus residents can visit local haunted sites to explore these stories in person. The search data indicates a sustained public curiosity about the paranormal in the state.