Truth: I never liked my zodiac sign. The reason? When I used to share it as a kid, I was met with wrinkled noses and taunts, as in, “Eww, you’re a Cancer? The symbol is CRAB!” I mean, what 10-year-old wants to be associated with a disease and an icky crustacean? Fortunately, the teasing eased (plus I made better friends), and I grew to love my zodiac sign, since I adored my July birthday. Lake parties, cookouts in the backyard and raucous sleepovers were my jam for years.
But if I’d only known back then how popular my sign was, I might not have sweated being a Cancer when I was young. Now we can all be enlightened: The smart folks at the Washington Post have sussed out the most common astrological signs in the United States and ranked them in order of frequency. Keep reading to learn how your sign stacks up—and which zodiac sign rules them all.
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How were the most common zodiac signs determined?
The most common zodiac signs were determined via a somewhat tricky, multi-pronged approach using information from several sources, including data and analytics firm YouGov, the American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Social Security Administration and states’ voter files. The Washington Post then collected zodiac signs and census birth-month ranges, plus some exact birthdays from the voting rolls, to boil down which birth dates and their corresponding astrological signs are the most common across the nation. (If you like to nerd out on data, the entire report is worth a read.)
What’s the most common zodiac sign?

The most common zodiac sign is … Virgo! Yup, of the 12 astrological signs, Virgo, which spans birth dates from Aug. 23 to Sept. 22, is the winner here. Virgo is an earth sign, along with Taurus and Capricorn, and the folks born under the symbol are purported to be solid, reliable citizens. And Virgo is also considered a mutable sign, just like Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces, which means these people tend to go with the flow, adapting to the vibe around them.
Why is Virgo the most common?
The reason Virgo is so common likely lies in the fact that many of the most popular birthdays fall in the month of September, which covers much of the sign’s spread. In fact, nine out of the top ten most common birthdates are in the ninth month of the year.
And if you really think about it, all those Virgo babies born (mostly) in September were made in the dark, cold days of late November and December, when people tend to snuggle close. Plus, this part of the year is when a lot of us are off for the holidays, which means there’s more time to get busy!
How do the other signs rank?
Here’s the full list of astrological signs, ranked by popularity. Don’t feel bad if your zodiac sign is at the bottom—no judgment here.
- Virgo
- Cancer
- Leo
- Libra
- Gemini
- Scorpio
- Taurus
- Sagittarius
- Pisces
- Aquarius
- Aries
- Capricorn
According to the Washington Post, the less common signs fall in January, December and November, which constitute the “Great Winter Birth Slump,” a seasonal pattern that sits opposite the warm-weather baby group at the top. But, no matter your sign or when you’re born, keep in mind that astrology isn’t really considered a hard science. Still, it’s fun to dabble!
RELATED:
- What Is Your Sun, Moon and Rising Sign—and What Do They Mean?
- This Is the Smartest Zodiac Sign, According to an Astrologer
- Can You Guess How Many Living People Share Your Birthday?
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest provides an easy-to-understand guide to all things astrology—from understanding sun signs, moon signs and rising signs to exploring each zodiac sign’s strengths, challenges and desires. You’ll learn about your ideal match in love, career, hobbies and more, as well as learn how big astrological events will affect you. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including practicing astrologers, as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Washington Post: “The most common zodiac signs (and birthdays)”
- Britannica: “Zodiac”
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