We studied which states are the biggest horror fans in the nation – and you’re probably not going to believe which states are in the top 10!
Check out the list below!
The Top Horror-Loving States
Each state was rated out of 100 in terms of their obsession with horror. States with the highest score were found to love horror more than those with lower scores. Scores were based on percentage of interest and not absolute numbers. You can see more about how we conducted this study at the bottom of this post.
1. West Virginia (100)
Maintaining its top position, West Virginia leads the country with a perfect score of 100. The state’s residents are passionate about horror, frequently engaging in horror-related activities and consuming a high volume of horror content.
2. Kentucky (98)
Kentucky jumps to the second spot with a score of 98. Known for its rich folklore and haunted locations, Kentucky’s affinity for horror is deeply ingrained in its culture.
3. Ohio (94)
Ohio remains a strong contender, scoring 94. The state’s numerous haunted attractions and high attendance at horror film festivals highlight its residents’ love for the genre.
4. Oregon (93)
Oregon, with a score of 93, continues to be a haven for horror enthusiasts. The state’s vibrant culture includes many horror-themed events and festivals.
5. Indiana (93)
Tied with Oregon, Indiana also scores 93. The state’s residents show a strong preference for horror films and haunted attractions.
6. Oklahoma (92)
Oklahoma, scoring 92, remains a top state for horror fans. The state’s numerous haunted houses and horror film screenings attract a large number of enthusiasts.
7. Louisiana (91)
Louisiana, with a score of 91, is known for its rich traditions of ghost stories and haunted locations, which contribute to its high ranking.
8. New Mexico (90)
New Mexico scores 90, reflecting its residents’ strong interest in horror films and local haunted attractions.
9. Utah (90)
Utah also scores 90. The state’s community of horror fans is active in attending horror movie screenings and participating in themed events.
10. Nevada (89)
Nevada, with a score of 89, is home to numerous horror events, especially in Las Vegas, which hosts a variety of horror-themed activities.
11. Colorado (88)
Colorado scores 88, known for its haunted locations and high attendance at horror film festivals.
12. California (88)
Tied with Colorado, California also scores 88. The state’s large number of horror film festivals and events highlight its residents’ love for the genre.
13. Arkansas (86)
Arkansas, scoring 86, has a significant number of horror fans who participate in local haunted tours and horror film screenings.
14. Missouri (86)
Missouri also scores 86. The state’s rich history of ghost stories and haunted locations contribute to its residents’ love for horror.
15. Tennessee (86)
Tennessee, with a score of 86, is home to numerous haunted attractions and a dedicated horror fanbase.
16. Mississippi (86)
Mississippi scores 86, reflecting its strong community of horror enthusiasts who enjoy local horror-themed events.
17. Virginia (86)
Virginia also scores 86. The state’s numerous haunted sites and rich folklore attract many horror fans.
18. Washington (85)
Washington, with a score of 85, has a vibrant community of horror fans who actively participate in horror film festivals and screenings.
19. Pennsylvania (85)
Pennsylvania also scores 85. The state’s rich history of haunted locations and ghost stories contributes to its high ranking.
20. Arizona (84)
Arizona, scoring 84, has a significant number of horror enthusiasts who enjoy local horror events and haunted attractions.
21. North Carolina (84)
North Carolina also scores 84. The state’s numerous haunted locations and horror film screenings attract many fans.
22. Rhode Island (84)
Rhode Island, with a score of 84, is known for its strong community of horror fans who participate in local horror-themed activities.
23. Idaho (83)
Idaho scores 83, with residents showing a high interest in horror films and haunted attractions.
24. Kansas (83)
Kansas also scores 83. The state’s community of horror enthusiasts is active in local horror events and screenings.
25. New Hampshire (82)
New Hampshire, scoring 82, has a strong tradition of ghost stories and haunted locations that attract horror fans.
26. Illinois (82)
Illinois also scores 82. The state’s numerous horror film festivals and haunted attractions highlight its residents’ love for the genre.
27. Wyoming (79)
Wyoming, with a score of 79, has a dedicated community of horror fans who enjoy local haunted tours and horror film screenings.
28. Alabama (79)
Alabama also scores 79. The state’s rich tradition of ghost stories and haunted locations attract many horror enthusiasts.
29. Maine (79)
Maine, with a score of 79, is known for its eerie landscapes and high interest in horror films, partly inspired by native author Stephen King.
30. Texas (78)
Texas scores 78, with numerous horror film festivals and haunted attractions reflecting its residents’ love for horror.
31. Massachusetts (78)
Massachusetts also scores 78. The state’s rich history of haunted locations and ghost stories contribute to its high ranking.
32. Alaska (78)
Alaska, with a score of 78, has a surprising affinity for horror, with residents frequently searching for horror films and participating in horror-themed events.
33. Michigan (77)
Michigan scores 77, with a strong community of horror fans who actively participate in local horror-themed activities.
34. Wisconsin (76)
Wisconsin, with a score of 76, boasts a significant number of horror enthusiasts who enjoy local horror events and haunted attractions.
35. Georgia (76)
Georgia also scores 76. The state’s rich tradition of ghost stories and haunted locations attract many horror fans.
36. Vermont (75)
Vermont, with a score of 75, has a strong community of horror enthusiasts who participate in local horror-themed activities.
37. Maryland (75)
Maryland also scores 75. The state’s residents show a high interest in horror films and haunted attractions.
38. South Carolina (74)
South Carolina, with a score of 74, has a rich tradition of ghost stories and a dedicated horror fanbase.
39. New Jersey (74)
New Jersey also scores 74. The state’s strong community of horror fans actively engages in local horror-themed activities.
40. Connecticut (73)
Connecticut, with a score of 73, is known for its haunted locations and strong horror community.
41. Iowa (73)
Iowa also scores 73. The state’s significant number of horror fans actively participate in local horror-themed activities.
42. Minnesota (73)
Minnesota, with a score of 73, has a dedicated community of horror enthusiasts who enjoy local horror events and haunted attractions.
43. Delaware (72)
Delaware scores 72, with residents frequently participating in local horror events and screenings.
44. Nebraska (71)
Nebraska, with a score of 71, has a strong community of horror fans who enjoy haunted attractions and horror films.
45. New York (71)
New York also scores 71. The state’s numerous horror film festivals and events reflect its residents’ love for the genre.
46. Florida (70)
Florida, with a score of 70, is known for its numerous haunted locations and horror events that attract many enthusiasts.
47. North Dakota (67)
North Dakota scores 67, with a dedicated community of horror enthusiasts who enjoy local horror-themed activities.
48. South Dakota (66)
South Dakota, with a score of 66, has a significant number of horror fans who participate in local horror-themed activities.
49. Montana (65)
Montana, with a score of 65, has a dedicated community of horror enthusiasts who enjoy local horror events and haunted attractions.
50. District of Columbia (56)
The District of Columbia scores 56, with a significant number of horror enthusiasts who enjoy local horror screenings and events.
51. Hawaii (49)
Rounding out the list is Hawaii with a score of 49. While not as high as other states, Hawaii still has a dedicated community of horror enthusiasts.
How We Conducted the Study
By using Google Trends, we compiled a list of common terms that horror fanatics search for in the search engine. From there, we aggregated the data and analyzed the volume of searches for these terms across different states. This allowed us to identify the regions with the highest interest in horror-related content.
Conclusion
From West Virginia leading the charge to Hawaii rounding out the list, the love for horror is widespread across the United States. Whether through haunted attractions, horror film festivals, or high viewership of horror movies, these states demonstrate that the horror genre continues to captivate audiences nationwide.