UFO Hotspots Across The US & CA, According to Official Data Reports

As World Space Week approaches (October 4-10) and spooky season gets underway, it’s the perfect time to ask: where are you most likely to spot something unexplained in the skies?

Every year, thousands of UFO sightings are reported across the U.S. and Canada. While many can be explained as hoaxes or simple misidentifications, others remain unexplained.

We analysed data from the National UFO Reporting Center, alongside social media discussions, to uncover the U.S. states, Canadian provinces and territories where UFO sightings are most frequently reported, revealing the places where you might be most likely to have a close encounter of your own.

US Key Findings:

Delaware has been crowned the U.S.’s top UFO hot spot for the second year in a row, with one reported sighting for every 825 residents.
New York ranks as the second-biggest UFO hot spot in the U.S., with one reported sighting for every 833 residents.
Oregon takes third place, with one reported sighting for every 955 residents.
Louisiana remains the state where you’re least likely to spot a UFO, with just one reported sighting for every 3,477 residents.

CA Key Findings:

Alberta is Canada’s UFO capital for the second year in a row, with one reported sighting for every 541 residents.
Ontario ranks second, with one reported UFO sighting for every 635 residents.
British Columbia is the province where you’re least likely to spot a UFO, with one reported sighting for every 659 residents.

UFO Hotspots Across America:

Let’s kick off our UFO tour with Delaware, crowned the UFO capital of America, with 1,234 reported sightings since 1974. Residents have reported mysterious ‘flying cylinders’ and ‘beaming lights’ hovering above their homes.

With one reported UFO sighting for every 825 residents, Delaware takes the top spot for sightings per capita, making it one of America’s biggest hot spots for unexplained activity - and holding onto its number-one position for the second year in a row.

Next on the list is New York, ranked as the second UFO capital of America, with 9,436 reported sightings since 1974. Whether you're a believer or a sceptic, the state has long been associated with eerie encounters and unexplained lights in the sky. With one UFO sighting for every 833 residents, New York is considered an alien’s paradise – up one spot since last year.

In third place is Oregon, with 4,441 UFO sightings reported over the years - roughly 955 for every 1 person. So your chances of spotting a mysterious object in the sky and being abducted by aliens are pretty high. Oregonians are convinced they've encountered UFOs, with one witness describing a "white, tic-tac-shaped object in the sky" and another reporting a "silver orb flying overhead."

Finally, in fourth and fifth place, we have Washington with 1 UFO sighting per 963 people, and Florida (1 per 1,010).

So, where can you live if you'd rather avoid UFOs altogether? If strange flying objects in the sky and potential alien abduction aren’t your idea of fun, Louisiana might be your ideal spot. With 1,320 reported sightings - about 1 per 3,477 people - it has the fewest UFO encounters in the country. If you're scared of aliens, rest assured, Louisiana is likely your safest bet!

UFO Hotspots Across Canada:

Let’s journey to the Great White North and explore the provinces and territories where you're most likely to experience a UFO encounter and alien abduction.

Coming in as Canada's UFO hotspot is Alberta, where residents have reported 808 UFO sightings over the years. With a number of 1 UFO per 541 people, Alberta has become a quieter but still significant part of the country's UFO story. Alberta’s vast open landscapes and expansive skies create the perfect backdrop for mysterious phenomena, adding a touch of the unknown to the province.

From sightings of "orbs with twenty lights" and "black triangles moving fast" to mysterious "spherical objects," Ontario has earned the title of the 2nd UFO hotspot of Canada. With 22,984 reported encounters - Ontario leads the country in alleged UFO sightings. This brings the total to 1 UFO per 635 people, making it a prime spot for spotting UFOs in Canada.

In third place is British Columbia. With 8,297 reported sightings, the province has captured the imaginations of locals and alien enthusiasts alike. Witnesses have described seeing everything from glowing "green UFOs" streaking across the sky to mysterious hovering "orbs." These sightings amount to 1 per 659 people, making British Columbia a notable destination for alien life.

Finishing off the top five UFO hotspots is Manitoba (1 per 787) and Quebec (1 per 974).

If you're hoping to avoid UFOs entirely, Newfoundland and Labrador is the place to be. Ranking dead last on the list, this remote territory has reported only 79 sightings since 1974. With a mere 1 UFO per 6,602 people, NL has much to offer, but apparently, very few visits from UFOs. For those who prefer their stargazing to remain purely terrestrial, Newfoundland and Labrador have it covered.

Odds of Spotting a UFO in America:

What does this mean on a national scale? With a total of 205,182 UFO sightings reported across the U.S., unexplained activity may be more common than you might think. Based on the number of reported sightings, that equates to approximately one UFO sighting for every 1,621 people in America.

Odds of Spotting a UFO in Canada:

Canada, on the other hand, has recorded 35,993 UFO sightings across the country, equating to approximately one reported sighting for every 1,111 people. This suggests UFO sightings are even more common per capita in Canada than in the U.S. — and if you reside in one of the country’s top UFO hot spots, reported sightings are more frequent still.

So, next time you spot something strange in the sky, don’t be too quick to dismiss it — you never know what might be hovering above!

Summary:

Whether you’re an avid stargazer or a night-time adventurer, you never know when an extra-terrestrial in a big green spaceship might decide to make a surprise visit. Let the spine-tingling thrill of the unknown heighten your excitement this year and find the best real money online casinos to play your favourite UFO and alien themed slot games. Enjoy titles like UFO Frenzy from Gameplay Interactive or Journey to Mars by Relax Gaming with Casino.ca’s impartial reviews of Canada’s top-rated online casinos.

Methodology:

Data has been updated and is correct as of September 25 2026.

By sifting through 160,000 sighting entries on the National UFO Reporting Center, combined with scraping social media for sighting details. My client then worked out the UFO sightings per capita for both U.S. and Canada, which allowed them to provide a ranking.

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