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Just in time for Halloween, a recent poll conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University has revealed some spine-chilling statistics. A significant 44 percent of New Jersey residents surveyed confessed to believing in ghosts or that certain places are haunted. The survey also found that the legendary New Jersey Devil, a figure dating back to the 18th century in the Pine Barrens, is considered real by 16 percent of the respondents.
The belief in the paranormal appears to be more prevalent among younger residents. More than half of the respondents aged between 18 and 30 entertain the possibility of ghosts being real. In contrast, older residents are more skeptical, with some 68 percent dismissing the existence of ghosts.
Interestingly, the researchers found that belief in ghosts transcends political affiliations. The survey showed no significant difference between Democrats and Republicans when it comes to belief in the paranormal. Women are shown to be more likely to believe in ghosts than men, 23 percent saying that ghosts are "very likely" true, as compared to 11 percent of men.
The poll was conducted earlier this month of a sample of 813 adults from across the Garden State.