Nearly two centuries after California’s initial gold rush in the mid-19th century, the state continues to lead the nation in gold production and discovery, according to a new report.
By far, the Golden State saw the largest number of new gold discoveries in 2023, according to an analysis of U.S. Geological Survey data compiled by SD Bullion .
A total of 10,373 gold-bearing locations have been unearthed in the state, according to the report. That represents 66.6 sites per every 1,000 square miles of land, “more than quadruple that of Washington in second place on the list, at 2,271 current locations.”
Which other states have gold?
California gold has tempted prospectors from around the world since it was first discovered at Sutter’s Mill in what has since become the city of Coloma.
But California isn’t the only state where there are riches to be discovered buried in the earth.
Gold has been found in 32 U.S. states, according to SD Bullion.
Washington came in second as of 2023, according to the report, with 34.2 documented gold-yielding locations per 1,00 square miles. It was followed by Oregon, Nevada, Idaho.