A new study has revealed that Washington state is ranked second where you’re most likely to strike rich by finding gold in the United States. Bullion dealer SD Bullion analyzed data from the United States Geological Survey, looking at all the locations throughout America where gold ore has been found or produced as a commodity.
In first place, perhaps unsurprisingly given its nickname of “The Golden State”, is California, where there were recorded to be 66.59 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. In total, there are currently 10,373 locations where gold has been found or is being produced, more than quadruple that of Washington in second place on the list, at 2,271 current locations.
Washington takes the second spot on the list, with the state recording 34.17 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. Despite only having 2,271 locations where gold has been found or is currently being produced, Washington is the smallest state in terms of land area of any state in the top ten at 66,455 square miles, resulting in such a high ranking and securing second place.
In third place is Oregon, where there were found to be 31.41 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. The state has 3,015 locations where gold has been found or is currently being produced, recorded across its 95,988 square miles, the fourth highest of any state in the top ten.
Close behind is Nevada in fourth place, with 30.91 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. In its 109,781 square miles, Nevada has a total of 3,393 locations where gold has been found or is currently being produced. Known for its desert landscapes, Nevada’s gold mining activities are a major part of its economy, making it a key player in the United States gold production and discovery.
Idaho ranks fifth, recording 28.44 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. With 2,350 locations where gold has been found or is currently being produced within an area of 82,643 square miles, Idaho is the third smallest state in terms of land area behind Washington (66,455 square miles) and marginally behind Utah (82,168 square miles). The state’s mountainous terrain has historically been rich in minerals, attracting prospectors for centuries.
Arizona takes sixth place with 17.40 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. Over its 113,594 square miles, the state has 1,977 locations where gold has been found or is currently being produced.
In seventh place is Colorado, with 14.89 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. Within the state’s 103,642 square miles, 1,543 locations where gold has been found or is currently produced exist. Colorado’s Rocky Mountains have been a hotspot for gold mining since the mid-1800s.
Montana ranks eighth with 13.21 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. The state has 1,923 locations where gold has been found or is currently produced across 145,546 square miles.
Alaska ranks ninth, with 9.22 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. Despite Alaska having the second-highest number of locations where gold has been found or is being produced at 5,264, its sheer size in terms of land area at 570,641 square miles means Alaska places ninth.
Rounding out the top ten is Utah, with 7.46 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. Utah has 613 locations where gold has been found or produced within 82,169 square miles.
Interestingly, just 32 states were found to have gold ore present or were currently producing gold. Oklahoma had the lowest count of any state on the list, with just one gold location – working out to 0.01 locations per 1,000 square miles.
The 18 states that didn’t feature on the list are Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Delaware, and Florida.
Chase Turner, CEO of SD Bullion, commented on the findings, saying:
“The findings reveal promising areas in the United States where the likelihood of finding gold is notably higher. These regions, known for their favorable geological conditions and historical mining success, stand out as prime locations for gold exploration. The data offers valuable insights into the distribution of gold deposits, highlighting key areas for amateur prospectors and professionals.”
SOURCE: https://sdbullion.com/
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
17 Responses
I live in Winlock wa. What area closest to me would be your recommendation to pan for gold.
I tried it in Alaska and found it to be very relaxing .
Honestly, there’s placer deposits right there on the chehalis, skookumchuck, toutle, green…ect. it’s very fine though. It’s better to use a sluice. But, please, for the love of what ever is holy to you, read the damn laws. Something as simple and low impact as a sluice may not be allowed on a specific body of water. I’m a Caslt Rock boy by the way.
Where in Seattle and federal way?
Notellum Ridge and Invisible Pass
Im from Yakima Washington, I’ve found plenty of arrow heads but never any gold out the Yakima, or Columbia River nothing…..
Where’s a good spot to go panning at in the Puyallup area
I live near Puyallup, in Tacoma. My parents used to mine for gold on an Arizona claim. I have a small pan and would like to try it out sometime. Would you be willing to share with me what River/ location/ vicinity I might try in the Puyallup area?
Google is your friend on this but most areas will be claimed so be careful
Might try Rainer area but eastern Wa is your better bet as nothing close to Puyallup that I have ever heard of
Panning is work and effort 😊
What do you mean by claimed
Hwy. 18 @ Issaquah- Hobart Rd. Small creek. I think it may be called Holder Creek. I walked upstream 30 yards, and had no trouble finding color. I used a slice box. This was 2004. Not sure if it has been developed since then. Read the rules, Wdfw.
im in puyallup as well, ive been pulling GOOD gold from the raging river up hwy 18. panning, stream sluice, highlander or dredge will produce gold. found a 4gram nugget last year. Total pull was about 2.5oz.
Adrian, my name is Alan Robinowitz and I live in auburn. I’ve been panning bought dirt for a while to practice. But I would like a mentor for the field. I have basic gear and can get whatever else you feel I might need. I am not part of a local club, so again all recommendations considered. I am a member of the GPAA, if that helps.
Thanks.
Hey everyone, I live Spokane Washington area. And was wondering if any locations or is any in the county?
This is funny as this is not the best area for gold unless you are mining
Most areas are already claimed for one, like Leavenworth area or Liberty, which is where the local gold rush was
The other areas are north of Seattle in the mountains, peninsula areas that are also heavy claimed and hard to get to, weather
Join a gold panning club here locally for more info. Don’t forget the laws are kind of strict in WA about how you can try to recover any gold
Most of it is being in very beautiful places and the fun of exploring, that’s the real gold
Good luck!
Corrupt government in Washington state won’t allow gold mining in most areas
I’ve attempted running a small floating suction dredge on my own property and was almost instantly shut down with thee excuse you can’t dredge in creeks because of spawning fish I don’t have any fish in my creeks
What do you mean by claimed
I tried an area on MLK BLVD. 1x on abuick century ago old car gold was all over the rims all u gotta do is sit on the corner and watch the brothers ride by there be gold on all 4 rims dude it be worth thousands