READ: More Americans Believe in Demons Than Ghosts, New Survey Finds
A new YouGov survey reveals just how many Americans believe in the supernatural—and how many have experienced something they can't explain.
With Halloween approaching, ghosts and haunted houses are getting their annual moment in the spotlight. But according to a new national survey, Americans are even more likely to believe in demons.
A YouGov survey conducted September 25–28, 2026, found that 48% of respondents believe demons exist, compared with 45% who believe in ghosts. The difference falls within the survey's margin of error, but the numbers reveal that belief in demonic entities is remarkably widespread. And Americans aren't just expressing beliefs. Many say they've experienced something unusual firsthand.
Of the 1,055 U.S. adults surveyed:
40% have felt an unexplained presence or energy.
32% have heard mysterious sounds or music without an identifiable source.
30% have experienced unexplained temperature changes.
27% have heard a voice when nobody was there.
24% have witnessed lights or electronic devices turn on or off inexplicably.
19% say they've seen a ghost or spirit.
The survey also found that 20% believe they've lived in a haunted house. And if you're shopping for a new home, you might appreciate knowing that 52% think sellers should be legally required to disclose a suspected haunting.
But what do people believe is behind these encounters? Among respondents who reported paranormal experiences, 36% attributed them to something supernatural or otherworldly, while another 36% believed there was a scientific explanation they simply didn't know. The remaining 28% weren't sure. Perhaps most revealing, 58% of respondents believe other people have experienced paranormal encounters that science cannot explain.
With October notoriously known as “spooky season,” the survey findings offer a timely reminder that belief in the supernatural extends well beyond costumes, scary movies, and ghost stories. For a substantial portion of Americans, the unseen world is something they believe is very real.
Source: YouGov, “Paranormal Encounters,” September 25–28, 2026. Survey of 1,055 U.S. adult citizens. Reported margin of error: ±4.2 percentage points.
