LIST: Where are Virginians reporting seeing UFOs?

RICHMOND, Va. (STACKER/WRIC) -- Do aliens actually exist? Whether they do or not, thousands upon thousands of people believe they have seen signs of life beyond Earth. But just how big is the UFO craze in Virginia?

The National UFO Reporting Center collects data on UFO sightings, providing a way for those who think they've glimpsed extraterrestrial life to report what they experienced. Volunteers then investigate the reported sightings to, when possible, separate fact from fiction.

The center's data, which reflects all reports since 1995, shows that the state with the most sightings is California, with more than 16,500 reports as of April 25, 2025. It's followed by Florida, Washington and Texas, respectively -- but even Florida has only half the reports that California does.

But what do the numbers look like in Virginia?

On the whole, there have been a total of 2,813 reported UFO sightings in Virginia, per the National UFO Reporting Center. This means Virginia ranks 19th in reported sightings among all American states and territories.

From those sightings, here are the 10 Virginia cities with the most reports -- and Richmond is among the top five.

#10. Woodbridge

There have been 44 UFO sightings in Woodbridge.

These reports include sightings of odd glowing lights and orbs, a triangular object that was "opening and closing" and wingless, "cigar-shaped" craft.

The Martin Lurther King, Jr. Memorial is seen in the trees turning fall colors as the Hunter's Supermoon sets behind the Arlington, Va. skyline. (Photo by J. David Ake/Getty Images)

#9. Arlington

A total of 50 UFO sightings have been reported in Arlington.

These reports include sightings of "cigar-shaped" lights, a metallic object moving in circles and a "bat-wing" aircraft.

Tyson Corner skyline in Falls Church, Fairfax County, VA (Photo by: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

#8. Fairfax

There have been 54 reported UFO sightings in Fairfax.

These reports include sightings of a floating "globe-like object," dancing lights, what was described as a "meteor break" and a neon green "cone-shaped object" seen among drones.

Norfolk, Virginia skyline from Portsmouth, Virginia. (Photo by: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

#7. Norfolk

In Norfolk, there have been 63 reported UFO sightings.

These reports include sightings of a "transparent, chevron-shaped craft," a "white and green object falling from the sky" and a floating trapezoid-shaped object.

A supermoon rises in the east, behind Mill Mountain Star in Roanoke, Va., at sunset on Saturday, June 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Don Petersen)

#6. Roanoke

A total of 65 UFO sighting reports have been made in Roanoke.

These reports include sightings of color-changing orbs, a "jackrock-shaped object," a low-flying aircraft and a "silver silent sphere."

Aerial image of the Rappahannock river above Fredericksburg, VA (Photo courtesy of Getty Images).

#5. Fredericksburg

There have been 66 reported UFO sightings in Fredericksburg.

These reports include sightings of a large wingless aircraft, strange colorful lights, a "square object with five lights" and a "grey egg-shaped" aircraft.

Aerial view of the Greenbriar Parkway area of Chesapeake in 2023. (Photo: 10 On Your Side/WAVY)

#4. Chesapeake

A total of 70 reports of UFO sightings have been made in Chesapeake.

These reports include sightings of five "cigar-shaped crafts" flying in a V-formation, an "orange triangular object" at a great height and a "brilliant sphere."

Alexandria, Virginia, waterfront skyline. (Photo by: Robert Knopes/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

#3. Alexandria

In Alexandria, there have been 118 reported UFO sightings, earning the city a third-place ranking.

These reports include sightings of an "orange flickering ball," a "zig-zagging, greenish-blue orb," and a group of metallic spheres.

Richmond skyline during RVA Illuminates, 2022. (Photo: 8News)

#2. Richmond

Richmond has 140 reported UFO sightings, putting it in second place.

These reports include sightings of a "huge neon-green fireball," a "large, silent blue meteor-like object" over the James River and a "bright pulsating red UFO."

Aerial drone view of Virginia Beach Skyline and Fishing Pier with Atlantic Ocean, Virginia City, Virginia. (Photo by: Visions of America/Joseph Sohm/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

#1. Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach ranks first among Virginia cities' reported UFO sightings, coming in at 193.

These reports include sightings of a "silver reflective disk object," "two creatures or aliens" in Bay Colony and a black craft "shaped like a stealth bomber, boomerang-like but more triangular" that emitted a "deep humming sound."

Stacker compiled a ranking of cities with the most UFO sightings in Virginia using data from the National UFO Reporting Center. Data encompasses all reports of UFO sightings dating back to 1995. Sightings with locations listed across multiple cities were not included in this analysis.