Which U.S. State Offers the Greatest Odds of Finding Dinosaurs?

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As of September 2022, over 420,000 prehistoric findings (fossils) were documented across the U.S. states, with approximately 10,500 related to dinosaurs. But do certain U.S. states offer greater chances of digging up a dinosaur than others?

Well, thanks to new research from the team at EmpireStakes.com, this has been revealed. Using The Paleobiology Database, we have analyzed all recorded prehistoric findings across the United States to show which states offer the most excellent chance of discovery based on population sizes and area figures.

Methodology

To collect the data, the EmpireStakes team analyzed all fossil records across the United States using PaleobioDB. They then compared these figures to population and area data in each state to determine the odds of finding the prehistoric.

Data was correct as of 01/09/2022.

Odds Of Finding The Prehistoric

New York Offers One of the Best Chances

Making up 6% of all prehistoric findings in America, New York has recorded 25,958. The 4th highest figure in the U.S., New York, only falls behind the likes of Texas (51,612), California (45,224), and Wyoming (26,633).

Breaking down each state’s findings per square mile, New York is ranked as having the 2nd most excellent chance of finding the prehistoric, with a finding every 2.10 square miles.   

The table below shows the states with the most incredible odds of finding the prehistoric, based on findings per square mile:

Rank	State	Number of Findings	Likelihood (every square mile)
1	Delaware	1,351	1 every 1.84
2	New York	25,958	1 every 2.10
3	New Jersey	3,742	1 every 2.33
4	Maryland	5,034	1 every 2.46
5	Alabama	17,906	1 every 2.93
6	Florida	18,357	1 every 3.50
7	California	45,224	1 every 3.62
8	Wyoming	26,633	1 every 3.67
9	Mississippi	12,405	1 every 3.90
10	Indiana	9,303	1 every 3.91

The map below shows where you will most likely find a prehistoric fossil.

However, when considering population figures, New York doesn’t appear relatively as high on the list.

With a population of nearly 20 million, it would mean there’s been only one discovery per 764 people, the 20th highest in the U.S. Taking the top spot is Wyoming, with one discovery per 22 people.

What Are the Chances of Finding a Dinosaur?

So, what about dinosaur bones? You’ll be looking for a while in New York, as there have only been two findings (according to PaleobioDB).

• Odds of finding a dinosaur (per population) = 1 in 9,917,957
• Odds of finding a dinosaur (per square miles) = 1 every 27,277 miles

You will most likely discover dinosaur fossils in Massachusetts, with 319 fossils and a total area of 10,554 mi², that’s one per 33 mi². And with a population of over 6.9 million, the odds of being the one to make the consequential discovery are 1 in 21,895.

The table below shows the states with the best chance of finding dinosaur fossils:

Rank	State	Likelihood (every square mile)	Chance of making a discovery
1	Massachusetts	1 every 33	1 in 21,895
2	Connecticut	1 every 51	1 in 33,078
3	New Jersey	1 every 63	1 in 66,670
4	Florida	1 every 74	1 in 24,363
5	California	1 every 82	1 in 19,697

Key findings:

• U.S. states have the most excellent chance of uncovering the prehistoric based on population size and area.
• In New York, there have been 25,958 prehistoric findings–the 4th highest in the states.
• Comparing states, New York offers the 2nd greatest chance of finding the prehistoric, with a finding every 2.10 square miles.