New Jersey Residents Report Spike in UFO Sightings

Nearly half of New Jerseyans believe aliens are already on Earth, survey finds.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A recent informal survey conducted by a local radio station found that a surprising number of New Jersey residents believe in unidentified flying objects, aliens, and even alien abductions. The survey revealed that 78% of respondents believe in UFOs, 43% believe aliens are already on Earth, and 19% believe alien abductions are real.

Why it matters

The high percentage of New Jerseyans who believe in the existence of UFOs and aliens reflects a growing fascination with the possibility of extraterrestrial life, even as sightings of unidentified objects in the state's skies have increased in recent years. This raises questions about public perceptions of the paranormal and the role of media in shaping beliefs around these phenomena.

The details

The radio station's survey asked random state residents and listeners about their thoughts on three key topics: belief in UFOs, belief that aliens are already on Earth, and belief in alien abductions. The results showed that 78% of respondents believe in UFOs, 43% believe aliens are on Earth, and 19% believe alien abductions are real. According to the National UFO Reporting Center, there have been three reported UFO sightings in New Jersey in 2026, in the towns of Chatham, Atlantic City, and Bridgewater.

  • The survey was conducted over the past few days.
  • There have been 3 reported UFO sightings in New Jersey in 2026.

The players

Lou Russo

The author of the article and a radio show host who conducted the informal survey on UFO and alien beliefs among New Jersey residents.

National UFO Reporting Center

An organization that tracks and reports on UFO sightings across the United States.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Nearly half of New Jersey residents think they are among us.”

— Lou Russo, Radio Show Host (973espn.com)

The takeaway

The high percentage of New Jerseyans who believe in the existence of UFOs and aliens reflects a growing public fascination with the paranormal, even as sightings of unidentified objects in the state's skies have increased. This raises questions about the role of media and popular culture in shaping beliefs around these phenomena.