Michigan’s Odds of Seeing a Ghost—And Where to Find One if You’re Feeling Brave (or Bored)

According to a new study, seeing a ghost in Michigan is only slightly more likely than seeing a functioning left blinker in Lansing. Action Network has compiled its ranking of all 50 states plus D.C., dubbed the ‘Ghost Likelihood Index..

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Understanding the Ghost Likelihood Index

Action Network looked at the number of cemeteries per 100,000 (the more, scarier), total reported ghost sightings, reported haunted locations per 100,000, along with the number of 'ghost' or abandoned towns per state. The icing on the cake was comparing the number of haunting-related Google searches, such as "how to get rid of ghosts," across states. What they were left was the definitive ranking of the most haunted states in America. Rest assured, no ghosts were harmed in the making of this study.

Michigan’s Rank and 3.19% Odds

Michigan ranks #14 nationwide for ghost sightings — not too shabby for a state where half our abandoned buildings already look haunted. Further, your odds of spotting a spector in the Mitten State are about 3.19%, or about the same as your chance of finding a pothole-free road — anywhere in the state.

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Top Haunted Locations in Michigan

If, for some reason, you feel compelled to chase a spook, specter, or ghost, here are a few locations throughout Michigan that have been known to host a spirit or two:

• Lansing's State Capitol Building
  • Political ghosts may still be haunting from past sessions. Or maybe you'll find the "Spirit of a Pothole-Free Road" there.
• Mackinac Island's Mission Point Resort
  • One of the only places in the world you can buy fudge while being stared at by something invisible.
• Westland's Eloise Asylum
  • Where the line between tourist and trapped spirit is thin.
• Kalamazoo's Henderson Castle
  • Fine dining and the faint sound of footsteps that aren't yours or your servers.
• Sagatuck's Felt Mansion: Haunted elegance meets lakeshore charm

If you're willing to travel out of state on your ghost hunt, Action Networks' study ranked Texas as the number one state for hauntings (because everything is bigger and, apparently, scarier in the Longhorn State). Michigan's #14 ranking means our ghosts are Midwestern polite — they'll wait for you to finish your Faygo before giving you a jump-scare.

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But hey, even if the odds are slim, they aren't zero. Gather some fellow paranormal enthusiasts (because ghost hunting isn't a solo sport), and plan a spirit hunt in Michigan. If not for the chills, at least for the Instagram likes. With our odds, you might not see a ghost, but you'll definitely trip over a pothole if you aren't careful.