The observance of Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts and vampires. Over the years, Halloween customs and rituals have changed dramatically.
Today, Halloween is celebrated many different ways, including wearing costumes, children trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins, and going to haunted houses and parties.
The U.S. Census Bureau collected and reported the following data.
Trick-or-treat
36 million
The estimated number of potential trick-or-treaters, children age 5-13, across the United States in 2009. This number is up about 190,000 from a year earlier. Of course, many other children older than 13 and younger than 5 also go trick-or-treating.
111.3 million
Number of occupied housing units across the nation in 2009, all potential stops for trick-or-treaters.
92 percent
Percentage of households with residents who consider their neighborhood safe. In addition, 78 percent said there was no place within a mile of their homes where they would be afraid to walk alone at night.
Jack-o’-lanterns and pumpkin pies
931 million pounds
Total production of pumpkins by major pumpkin-producing states in 2009. Illinois led the country by producing 429 million pounds of the vined orange gourd. California and Ohio were also major pumpkin-producing states: each produced at least 100 million pounds.
Where to spend Halloween?
Some places around the country that may put you in the Halloween mood are:
• Transylvania County, N.C. (30,203 residents)
• Tombstone, Ariz. (population 1,562)
• Pumpkin Center, N.C. (population 2,228); and Pumpkin Bend, Ark. (population 307)
• Cape Fear in New Hanover County, N.C. (population 15,711); and Cape Fear in Chatham County, N.C. (population 1,170).
• Skull Creek, Neb. (population 274)
Candy and costumes
1,317
Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2008, employing 38,369 people. California led the nation in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with 146, followed by Pennsylvania, with 115.
422
Number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionary products in 2008. These establishments employed 16,860 people. California led the nation in this category, with 47 establishments.
24.3 pounds
Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2009.
1,814
Number of costume rental and formal wear establishments across the nation in 2008.