The Top Searched Phobia in Every U.S. State

There is something that scares each and every one of us. Though we tend to try and avoid thinking about it, today, we’re casting a bright spotlight into the dark and shadowy recesses of the most common fears lurking in our minds.

We all have that one thing that makes our heart race a little faster, and our palms get a bit sweatier. So, we turned to Google Trends to illuminate the most searched phobias across the nation. Whether they are common fears or more quirky, unusual ones, we’ve got data that will make you say, “So, I’m not the only one!”

From the typical fears of heights and flying to the more unique and peculiar anxieties, we’ve uncovered a range of phobias that vary in their creepiness levels. Which fear tops the list in the majority of the states? Is there a particular phobia that’s the talk of the town in certain regions more than others? Keep reading to uncover all this and more.

The Top Searched Phobia in Every U.S. State

In Utah, the most searched phobia brings a chuckle — it’s Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia, the fear of long words. It’s a bit of a tongue twister and one can only imagine the irony of having to tell someone that you have a fear of long words using such a long word.

Nebraska stands out with a unique fear all its own—Coulrophobia, the fear of clowns. Whether it’s the exaggerated makeup or the unpredictable antics, clowns seem to be giving the residents of Nebraska the heebie-jeebies, making us wonder how they feel about a circus visit!

Connecticut seems to have a collective aversion to dental visits, with Dentophobia being the most searched phobia. The sound of dental drills and the sight of those sharp tools might just be the things of nightmares for the residents of this state.

Around the time when ghosts and ghouls come out to play, states like Florida and Maryland seem to be grappling with Hemophobia, the fear of blood. It adds a bit of real-world fright to the spooky season, making Halloween decorations and horror movies all the more eerie!

Vermont’s most searched phobia, Nyctophobia, the fear of the dark or night, is similarly more prominent this time of year. It’s a reminder of the primal fear of the unknown lurking in the shadows, making every bump in the night a potential source of fright!

Minnesota adds a layer of morbid fascination to the list with its top phobia, Necrophobia, the fear of dead bodies. This fear certainly turns graveyards into places of terror and adds an extra chill to the tales of the undead told during the spooky season.

Don't be Afraid! It's the Top Searched Phobias Overall

Claustrophobia, the fear of confined spaces, seems to be a recurring theme, earning the title of the most searched phobia in ten diverse states including California, New York, and Alabama. Who doesn’t feel a bit uneasy when the walls seem to close in, leaving no room to breathe? It’s a common fear that many people share, regardless of where they live.

Taking the second spot is the fear of gaining weight, known as Obesophobia. This phobia is a prevalent concern in states like Massachusetts, Oregon, and Rhode Island, despite these states being among the least obese populations. It seems that the inhabitants of these states have a particular inclination towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle, or perhaps it’s the fear itself that keeps them on their toes, promoting mindful eating and regular exercise.

Trypophobia, or the fear of irregular patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps, is another phobia that seems to intrigue and disturb many, as the #3 most searched phobia overall. It’s not just about the sight of honeycombs or sponges; it’s the unsettling feeling, the skin-crawling sensation that accompanies the view of such creepy patterns.

Closing Thoughts

Uncovering the most popular phobias across the United States has been quite the enlightening experience, revealing a wide variety of fears that many of us share. From the unique and amusing to the more common and relatable, it's evident that we all have something that makes our skin crawl.

But, fear not! Especially when it comes to the fear of the dark, e-conolight has you covered. We offer top-notch, reliable lighting solutions to keep your spaces bright and your fears at bay. So why stay in the dark when you can live in the light with e-conolight? Keep your spaces illuminated and say goodbye to those shadowy fears!

Methodology

To find out what every state was most afraid of, we compiled a list of 43 common phobias sourced from lists from Practical Psychology and Very Well Mind. From there, we analyzed those keywords in Google Trends to map out the online search interest over the past year (September 2022 through September 2023) across the U.S.