People Share Stories of Extremely Distressing Paranormal Activity in their Homes

Americans report on their paranormal experiences in their home.

Americans share their haunted house stories
Have you ever heard a noise in your home that you couldn't explain? Maybe you've even seen the lights flicker in a way that suggests something sinister. Or maybe, like some Americans, you're sure your house is haunted.

After speaking to over 800 people across the country who have had explicit, self-diagnosed paranormal experiences, we're ready to share their spooky data. We asked about the types of houses these hauntings took place in, what respondents' experiences were and how they reacted. We also turned to the population at large to see how Americans who hadn't yet had a supernatural experience would feel about it if they did. Keep reading, if you dare.

What does a haunted house truly look like?
Our study dives in with a look at the most common attributes of haunted houses. We also noted factors like house size, age, location and even inhabitants' previous beliefs about paranormal activity.

More than three-quarters of people who had experienced paranormal activity were still residing in the very same residence where it occurred, suggesting that hauntings aren't always as bad as the movies make them seem. That said, there were particular traits of haunted homes that people who want to avoid them should look out for.

Most hauntings occurred among respondents with free-standing homes (55%) as opposed to apartments and condos. Two-story farmhouses were also the most likely targets for horrifying happenings, which is reflected in mainstream pop culture. We also found that respondents in the South of the U.S. reported ghostly experiences most often.