Friday the 13th: America’s Most Superstitious States Revealed

Friday the 13th is creeping up this June, and whether you’re a skeptic who laughs off bad omens or someone who won’t even step on a crack, we wanted to find out just how superstitious Americans really are.

We surveyed 3,000 people nationwide and found that 70% believe in superstitions, meaning plenty are busy dodging black cats, knocking on wood, and triple-checking mirrors. However, it turns out some states take these beliefs much more seriously than others.

So, who’s treating Friday the 13th like a casual Friday, and who’s acting like they’ve seen a ghost? Grab your lucky rabbit’s foot and follow us down the superstition rabbit hole, just don’t walk under any ladders on the way.

Key Findings:

• Over 1 in 2 (56%) of Americans avoid flying on Friday the 13th, and over half (51%) would cancel or reschedule a date that falls on this day
• 49% people avoid major life decisions, like signing contracts or starting new jobs, on Friday 13th
• New Hampshire ranks as the #1 most superstitious state with a score of 9.3/10, followed by #2 New York (8.6) and #3 Massachusetts (8.4)
• At the other end, Wyoming takes the title for least superstitious, scoring just 4.0/10

Hearts, Flights, and Contracts: All Ghosted on Friday 13th

Out of 13 common superstitions, ranging from avoiding three drains to carrying lucky charms, Friday the 13th comes out on top. 1 in 5 Americans say it’s the superstition they’re most cautious about. In addition, using a social media listening tool, we analyzed conversations across X, TikTok, YouTube, Threads, LinkedIn, Reddit, and Facebook to gauge public sentiment around Friday the 13th, and found that 84% of the comments expressed negative feelings. Let’s take a closer look at just how much weight the nation puts on this famously unlucky date.

Well, it’s definitely a quieter-than-usual day at the airport. 56% of Americans say they avoid flying on Friday the 13th. If you’re feeling brave (or just budget-savvy), it might be the perfect time to book, airlines often drop prices thanks to lighter demand compared to other Fridays in the month. Afterall, sometimes, fortune favors the bold.

And it’s not just travel plans that get spooked. Love might be in the air, but not on Friday the 13th. More than half (51%) of Americans say they’d cancel or reschedule a date that falls on this unlucky date. Apparently, when it comes to romance, no one’s swiping right on superstition. Another 49% say they’d steer clear of big decisions, like signing a contract or starting a new job on that day (just in case). Turns out, the 13th is a big red flag.

The Most (and Least) Superstitious States Ranked

When it comes to superstition, New Hampshire takes the #1 spot as the most cautious state, scoring a high 9.3 out of 10 on the superstition scale. Not far behind, New York clocks in #2 with 8.6, with Massachusetts taking the #3 spot at 8.4. The Northeast clearly leads the pack, where tossing salt, avoiding indoor umbrellas, and steering clear of Friday the 13th are common practices.

Delaware and Kansas tie for the #4 spot with a solid 7.5, while West Virginia and Colorado aren’t far behind, sharing #5 with a 7.4 score. These states show that superstition is widespread across the country, with residents rating their caution well above the national average of 6.5.

Wyoming leads the way in skepticism, scoring a low 4.0 out of 10, highlighting that superstition doesn’t hold much sway there. Not far behind, Alabama (5.1) and Nevada (5.2) show a similarly relaxed attitude toward luck and omens. While some Americans carefully avoid walking under ladders or placing new shoes on the table, residents in these states are confidently shrugging off superstition altogether.

Conclusion

So, whether you’re knocking on wood or rolling your eyes, one thing’s for sure, Friday the 13th is getting closer. The question is: will you tempt fate or play it safe?

Methodology

We surveyed 3,000 Americans ahead of Friday the 13th to find out just how superstitious the nation really is. Respondents were asked to rate their level of superstition on a scale from 1 to 10 and share which common superstitions they believe in or avoid. We then broke down the data by state to reveal which parts of the country are most (and least) spooked by superstition. We also used a social media scraping tool to analyze sentiment surrounding Friday the 13th.

Fair Use Statement

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