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These Are the Cities with the Most UFO Sightings

These Are the Cities with the Most UFO Sightings

Unidentified flying objects have been a hot topic since the Office of the Director of National Intelligence delivered an unclassified report to Congress titled “Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena” in July. People are less likely to dismiss reported sightings as the product of overactive imaginations when the government is taking them seriously.  

The numbers of reported sightings have been increasing in recent years: There were 6,281 reported sightings in 2019 and 7,267 in 2020. Those figures vary greatly by location. Some states have more sightings per capita, as do some cities. (These are the states with the most UFO sightings.)

24/7 Tempo has identified the cities with the most UFO sightings, based on data provided by Cheryl Costa and Linda Miller, authors of “UFO Sightings Desk Reference: United States of America 2001-2020.” This ranking shows the relative likelihood of state residents reporting UFO sightings. 

Sedona, Arizona, tops our list, with 1,608 sightings per 100,000 residents. There’s no obvious reason why, although visibility is generally good in the desert and Arizona is home to several leading observatories. In February, the pilot of an American Airlines flight bound for Phoenix reported a close encounter with a UFO “that almost looked like a cruise missile.” 

In past years, suggested explanations for sightings in Arizona have included the many flying school planes in the state and flares dropped by military aircraft. (Here is why scientists think there is life on other planets.)

The No. 2 and No. 3 spots are taken by Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, with 1,223 and 1,111 sightings per 100,000 residents, respectively. The area has a well-documented history of multiple sightings and once boasted a visitor attraction called “Encounters UFO Experience.”

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

50. Cincinnati, Ohio
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 75.32
> Total sightings: 227
> Population 2019: 301,394

Source: jmoor17 / Getty Images

49. Modesto, California
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 78.08
> Total sightings: 166
> Population 2019: 212,616

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

48. Sacramento, California
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 79.85
> Total sightings: 400
> Population 2019: 500,930

Source: photoquest7 / Getty Images

47. Denver, Colorado
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 79.93
> Total sightings: 564
> Population 2019: 705,576

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

46. Grand Rapids, Michigan
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 82.16
> Total sightings: 163
> Population 2019: 198,401

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

45. Chandler, Arizona
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 82.71
> Total sightings: 209
> Population 2019: 252,692

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

44. Richmond, Virginia
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 86.49
> Total sightings: 196
> Population 2019: 226,622

Source: felixmizioznikov / Getty Images

43. Port St. Lucie, Florida
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 87.12
> Total sightings: 165
> Population 2019: 189,396

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

42. Tampa, Florida
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 87.13
> Total sightings: 338
> Population 2019: 387,916

Source: SWKrullImaging / Getty Images

41. Colorado Springs, Colorado
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 87.34
> Total sightings: 406
> Population 2019: 464,871

Source: derejeb / Getty Images

40. Cape Coral, Florida
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 88.07
> Total sightings: 162
> Population 2019: 183,942

Source: BCFC / Getty Images

39. Scottsdale, Arizona
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 90.98
> Total sightings: 228
> Population 2019: 250,602

Source: JeffreyRasmussen / iStock via Getty Images

38. Tempe, Arizona
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 91.22
> Total sightings: 171
> Population 2019: 187,454

Source: Sundry Photography / iStock via Getty Images

37. Santa Rosa, California
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 91.26
> Total sightings: 164
> Population 2019: 179,701

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

36. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 91.60
> Total sightings: 165
> Population 2019: 180,124

Source: thyegn / iStock via Getty Images

35. Tacoma, Washington
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 93.95
> Total sightings: 200
> Population 2019: 212,869

Source: Lew from Campbell, CA, USA / Wikimedia Commons

34. Rochester, New York
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 95.72
> Total sightings: 198
> Population 2019: 206,848

Source: ferrantraite / Getty Images

33. Albuquerque, New Mexico
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 96.72
> Total sightings: 541
> Population 2019: 559,374

Source: littleny / Getty Images

32. Miami, Florida
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 98.18
> Total sightings: 446
> Population 2019: 454,279

Source: july7th / Getty Images

31. Seattle, Washington
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 101.20
> Total sightings: 733
> Population 2019: 724,305

Source: photoquest7 / Getty Images

30. Reno, Nevada
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 105.88
> Total sightings: 261
> Population 2019: 246,500

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

29. St. Louis, Missouri
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 106.11
> Total sightings: 327
> Population 2019: 308,174

Source: HaizhanZheng / Getty Images

28. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 110.19
> Total sightings: 333
> Population 2019: 302,205

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

27. Portland, Oregon
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 110.34
> Total sightings: 712
> Population 2019: 645,291

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

26. Salem, Oregon
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 115.21
> Total sightings: 195
> Population 2019: 169,259

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

25. Knoxville, Tennessee
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 115.48
> Total sightings: 215
> Population 2019: 186,173

Source: gregobagel / Getty Images

24. Spokane, Washington
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 116.86
> Total sightings: 254
> Population 2019: 217,353

Source: marekuliasz / Getty Images

23. Fort Collins, Colorado
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 121.37
> Total sightings: 201
> Population 2019: 165,609

Source: dszc / Getty Images

22. Tucson, Arizona
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 124.84
> Total sightings: 676
> Population 2019: 541,482

Source: dougtone / Flickr

21. Independence, Missouri
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 140.07
> Total sightings: 164
> Population 2019: 117,084

Source: P_Wei / E+ via Getty Images

20. Burbank, California
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 146.57
> Total sightings: 152
> Population 2019: 103,703

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

19. Eugene, Oregon
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 148.54
> Total sightings: 250
> Population 2019: 168,302

Source: 4kodiak / Getty Images

18. Salt Lake City, Utah
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 151.20
> Total sightings: 299
> Population 2019: 197,756

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

17. Las Vegas, Nevada
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 152.81
> Total sightings: 970
> Population 2019: 634,773

Source: Meinzahn / Getty Images

16. Wilmington, North Carolina
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 163.90
> Total sightings: 197
> Population 2019: 120,194

Source: freebilly / iStock via Getty Images

15. Vancouver, Washington
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 166.71
> Total sightings: 301
> Population 2019: 180,556

Source: Joecho-16 / Getty Images

14. Boise city, Idaho
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 173.81
> Total sightings: 393
> Population 2019: 226,115

Source: prayitnophotography / Flickr

13. Everett, Washington
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 174.01
> Total sightings: 191
> Population 2019: 109,766

Source: LUNAMARINA / Getty Images

12. Fort Myers, Florida
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 187.67
> Total sightings: 150
> Population 2019: 79,927

Source: LUNAMARINA / Getty Images

11. Orlando, Florida
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 191.93
> Total sightings: 539
> Population 2019: 280,832

Source: SEASTOCK / Getty Images

10. Bellingham, Washington
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 205.04
> Total sightings: 182
> Population 2019: 88,764

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

9. Santa Fe, New Mexico
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 216.87
> Total sightings: 182
> Population 2019: 83,922

Source: benedek / Getty Images

8. Pensacola, Florida
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 305.84
> Total sightings: 161
> Population 2019: 52,642

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

7. Sarasota, Florida
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 307.45
> Total sightings: 175
> Population 2019: 56,919

Source: roadgeek / Flickr

6. Tinley Park, Illinois
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 316.79
> Total sightings: 179
> Population 2019: 56,505

Source: LUNAMARINA / Getty Images

5. Naples, Florida
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 779.39
> Total sightings: 170
> Population 2019: 21,812

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

4. Patterson, California
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 861.05
> Total sightings: 190
> Population 2019: 22,066

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

3. North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 1,111.11
> Total sightings: 180
> Population 2019: 16,200

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

2. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 1,223.24
> Total sightings: 400
> Population 2019: 32,700

Source: larrywkoester / Flickr

1. Sedona, Arizona
> 2001-2020 sightings per 100K: 1,608.22
> Total sightings: 166
> Population 2019: 10,322

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