UFO sightings may sound like the norm if you live in, say, Roswell, New Mexico, but there are plenty of other places where people say they've spotted a UFO flying around or heard about a variety of other eerie occurrences. At Best Life, we set out to uncover the scariest state in America, factoring in everything from haunted places to animal attacks and unsolved murders.
To analyze which state tipped the scary scale the most, we calculated each state’s percent of unsolved homicide cases over a nearly 30-year period based on a report from the nonprofit organization Project: Cold Case. Next, we used a ranking from Travel Channel, which rated how haunted each state is based on data from its paranormal TV series, including Ghost Adventures and Kindred Spirits, with 1 being the most haunted and 50 being the least.
Then, we factored in the number of reported UFO sightings in each state per 100,000 people from SatelliteInternet.com, using data from the National UFO Reporting Center. Lastly, we included a report from The Washington Post on the total number of deaths caused by animals, including venomous spiders, snakes, bees, dogs, and other mammals, using the most recent available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over a 15-year period.
Finally, we gave each of the four metrics a weighted value and plugged them into our exclusive algorithm to see where each state scored on our 100-point scale Scary Index. The three most populous states in the country found themselves on the eerier side of the scale, and yes, so did New Mexico. Where does your state rank? Read on to find out, and to discover the scariest state in America. And for the place that is scarily greedy, check out The Most Selfish State in America.
Read the original article on Best Life.
50 | Nebraska
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 16 percent
Haunted ranking: 43
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.53
Deaths caused by animals: 19
Scary Index Score: 0.00
49 | Delaware
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 28 percent
Haunted ranking: 50
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.77
Deaths caused by animals: 9
Scary Index Score: 5.74
48 | North Dakota
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 18 percent
Haunted ranking: 43
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 4.72
Deaths caused by animals: 9
Scary Index Score: 13.40
47 | South Dakota
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 20 percent
Haunted ranking: 34
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.94
Deaths caused by animals: 15
Scary Index Score: 15.77
46 | Maryland
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 34 percent
Haunted ranking: 43
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 1.60
Deaths caused by animals: 29
Scary Index Score: 16.03
45 | Wyoming
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 11 percent
Haunted ranking: 40
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 6.05
Deaths caused by animals: 10
Scary Index Score: 16.68
44 | Mississippi
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 27 percent
Haunted ranking: 40
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 1.98
Deaths caused by animals: 53
Scary Index Score: 17.25
43 | Oklahoma
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 17 percent
Haunted ranking: 34
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.86
Deaths caused by animals: 70
Scary Index Score: 20.19
42 | Alaska
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 26 percent
Haunted ranking: 40
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 4.51
Deaths caused by animals: 18
Scary Index Score: 25.57
41 | South Carolina
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 23 percent
Haunted ranking: 34
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 3.03
Deaths caused by animals: 59
Scary Index Score: 26.17
40 | Wisconsin
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 19 percent
Haunted ranking: 34
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 3.56
Deaths caused by animals: 87
Scary Index Score: 28.99
39 | Maine
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 20 percent
Haunted ranking: 43
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 7.22
Deaths caused by animals: 13
Scary Index Score: 30.67
38 | Arkansas
iStockUnsolved homicide cases: 18 percent
Haunted ranking: 28
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 3.74
Deaths caused by animals: 60
Scary Index Score: 31.27
37 | Rhode Island
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 36 percent
Haunted ranking: 43
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 4.44
Deaths caused by animals: 9
Scary Index Score: 31.70
36 | Iowa
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 27 percent
Haunted ranking: 28
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.85
Deaths caused by animals: 35
Scary Index Score: 32.35
35 | Virginia
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 26 percent
Haunted ranking: 28
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.67
Deaths caused by animals: 66
Scary Index Score: 34.83
34 | New Jersey
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 29 percent
Haunted ranking: 27
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.90
Deaths caused by animals: 29
Scary Index Score: 35.02
33 | Hawaii
iStockUnsolved homicide cases: 36 percent
Haunted ranking: 43
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 5.16
Deaths caused by animals: 12
Scary Index Score: 36.31
32 | North Carolina
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 19 percent
Haunted ranking: 22
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.16
Deaths caused by animals: 122
Scary Index Score: 38.86
31 | West Virginia
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 18 percent
Haunted ranking: 18
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 3.79
Deaths caused by animals: 45
Scary Index Score: 39.95
30 | Vermont
Shutterstock/P199Unsolved homicide cases: 43 percent
Haunted ranking: 49
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 6.09
Deaths caused by animals: 9
Scary Index Score: 42.62
29 | Minnesota
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 40 percent
Haunted ranking: 34
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 3.10
Deaths caused by animals: 50
Scary Index Score: 44.05
28 | Connecticut
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 29 percent
Haunted ranking: 25
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 4.94
Deaths caused by animals: 14
Scary Index Score: 46.71
27 | Alabama
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 45 percent
Haunted ranking: 28
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 1.96
Deaths caused by animals: 56
Scary Index Score: 50.26
26 | Kansas
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 45 percent
Haunted ranking: 28
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.85
Deaths caused by animals: 30
Scary Index Score: 51.53
25 | Louisiana
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 36 percent
Haunted ranking: 10
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 1.44
Deaths caused by animals: 52
Scary Index Score: 55.82
24 | Kentucky
Shutterstock / Nat ChittamaiUnsolved homicide cases: 31 percent
Haunted ranking: 13
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.91
Deaths caused by animals: 56
Scary Index Score: 56.20
23 | Tennessee
AlamyUnsolved homicide cases: 33 percent
Haunted ranking: 22
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.56
Deaths caused by animals: 120
Scary Index Score: 56.37
22 | Utah
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 27 percent
Haunted ranking: 11
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 4.27
Deaths caused by animals: 21
Scary Index Score: 56.54
21 | New Hampshire
iStockUnsolved homicide cases: 33 percent
Haunted ranking: 34
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 7.87
Deaths caused by animals: 9
Scary Index Score: 57.79
20 | Oregon
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 36 percent
Haunted ranking: 22
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 4.86
Deaths caused by animals: 31
Scary Index Score: 59.72
19 | Idaho
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 19 percent
Haunted ranking: 28
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 9.18
Deaths caused by animals: 34
Scary Index Score: 59.98
18 | Missouri
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 27 percent
Haunted ranking: 8
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.69
Deaths caused by animals: 86
Scary Index Score: 60.29
17 | Colorado
Shutterstock/WTS PhotoUnsolved homicide cases: 34 percent
Haunted ranking: 15
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 4.08
Deaths caused by animals: 39
Scary Index Score: 61.63
16 | Illinois
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 36 percent
Haunted ranking: 11
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 1.84
Deaths caused by animals: 84
Scary Index Score: 61.84
15 | Pennsylvania
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 23 percent
Haunted ranking: 6
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.80
Deaths caused by animals: 108
Scary Index Score: 61.90
14 | Massachusetts
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 39 percent
Haunted ranking: 8
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.45
Deaths caused by animals: 25
Scary Index Score: 63.08
13 | Georgia
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 40 percent
Haunted ranking: 18
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.14
Deaths caused by animals: 107
Scary Index Score: 64.00
12 | New York
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 35 percent
Haunted ranking: 6
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 1.59
Deaths caused by animals: 88
Scary Index Score: 65.20
And for the place that is least fun to shop at, This Store Has the Worst Customer Service in America.
11 | Washington
iStockUnsolved homicide cases: 29 percent
Haunted ranking: 13
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 5.07
Deaths caused by animals: 63
Scary Index Score: 67.53
10 | Michigan
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 48 percent
Haunted ranking: 18
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.31
Deaths caused by animals: 88
Scary Index Score: 71.00
And for the state that is most active between the sheets, This Is the Most Promiscuous State in America.
9 | Indiana
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 43 percent
Haunted ranking: 17
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 3.92
Deaths caused by animals: 56
Scary Index Score: 71.07
8 | New Mexico
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 35 percent
Haunted ranking: 18
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 6.20
Deaths caused by animals: 40
Scary Index Score: 71.96
7 | Nevada
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 37 percent
Haunted ranking: 2
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 3.93
Deaths caused by animals: 13
Scary Index Score: 74.01
6 | Montana
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 32 percent
Haunted ranking: 26
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 9.17
Deaths caused by animals: 25
Scary Index Score: 75.09
5 | Ohio
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 35 percent
Haunted ranking: 4
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.81
Deaths caused by animals: 112
Scary Index Score: 77.97
4 | Florida
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 40 percent
Haunted ranking: 15
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 2.64
Deaths caused by animals: 171
Scary Index Score: 79.63
And for the place where people are most likely to break their marriage vows, This Is the Most Adulterous State in America.
3 | Arizona
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 39 percent
Haunted ranking: 5
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 4.38
Deaths caused by animals: 77
Scary Index Score: 85.19
2 | California
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 41 percent
Haunted ranking: 1
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 1.90
Deaths caused by animals: 212
Scary Index Score: 97.45
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1 | Texas
ShutterstockUnsolved homicide cases: 29 percent
Haunted ranking: 3
UFO sightings per 100,000 residents: 1.29
Deaths caused by animals: 356
Scary Index Score: 100.00
And for the place that's the most crazy for cannabis, This Is the Most Stoned State in America.
