Belief in the unknown, whether extraterrestrials or legendary creatures, remains surprisingly common in America. The visualization above, created by Julie Peasley using data from YouGov, explores how likely U.S. adults think it is that aliens, Bigfoot, and the chupacabra exist.
This article was written by Julie B. Peasley and originally published by Visual Capitalist.
Here’s how Americans responded when asked how likely each being exists, according to YouGov:
| Entity | Definitely Exists | Probably Exists | Probably Does Not Exist | Definitely Does Not Exist | Not Sure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aliens | 18% | 38% | 16% | 15% | 14% |
| Bigfoot | 4% | 24% | 27% | 33% | 12% |
| The Yeti | 3% | 20% | 28% | 32% | 17% |
| Chupacabra | 3% | 13% | 29% | 31% | 24% |
| Loch Ness Monster | 3% | 19% | 29% | 35% | 14% |
Aliens clearly stand apart. A majority (56%) say extraterrestrials definitely or probably exist, more than double the share who believe in Bigfoot, and more than triple belief in the chupacabra.
Aliens: From Fringe to Mainstream?
Interest in extraterrestrial life has grown steadily, fueled by government disclosures and increased reporting on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs).
According to YouGov, 56% of Americans say aliens definitely (18%) or probably (38%) exist. That makes extraterrestrials far more plausible in the public mind than either Bigfoot or the chupacabra.
YouGov’s polling also finds that roughly half of Americans believe aliens have visited Earth. In addition, about one-third say UFO sightings are evidence of alien spacecraft, while others attribute them to natural phenomena, secret military technology, or optical illusions.
Demographic differences are notable. Younger Americans are generally more likely to believe in extraterrestrials than older cohorts, and men tend to express higher levels of belief than women.
Taken together, the data suggests that belief in aliens has moved well beyond the fringe. While skepticism remains, the idea that intelligent life exists somewhere beyond Earth is now a mainstream view in the United States.
Globally, belief varies widely. We previously mapped the countries that believe in aliens the most, showing that views differ significantly across regions and cultures.
Bigfoot: America’s Favorite Cryptid
Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is a legendary ape-like creature said to inhabit forests in North America.
While 28% of Americans say Bigfoot probably or definitely exists, a larger share (60%) say it probably or definitely does not. Compared to aliens, belief in Bigfoot is far more polarized, with fewer “not sure” responses.
Despite the skepticism, Bigfoot remains deeply embedded in pop culture, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.
What Is the Chupacabra?
The chupacabra, which translates to “goat sucker” in Spanish, is a cryptid said to attack livestock, particularly in Latin America and the southern United States.
Only 16% of Americans believe it exists, while 60% say it likely or definitely does not. Notably, nearly a quarter (24%) say they are not sure, which is a higher uncertainty than for aliens or Bigfoot. This suggests that while the chupacabra is less widely believed, it remains a mysterious figure in American folklore.
