Random Halloween Facts from the Census Bureau

Halloween

Oct. 31, 2010

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.

Trick or Treat!

36 million

The estimated number of potential trick-or-treaters in 2009 -- children 5

to 13 -- across the United States. 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.

Source: 2009 population estimates <

http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb10-81.html>

111.3 million

Number of occupied housing units across the nation in 2009 -- all potential

stops for

trick-or-treaters.

Source: Housing Vacancies and Homeownership

<http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/hvs/historic/>

92%

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.

Source: Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United

States, 2005

<http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/extended-05.html> Table 4.

& 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.

Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

<

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/VegeSumm/VegeSumm-01-27-2010.pdf

>

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)

Source: 2009 population estimates

<http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb10-81.html>

-- Tombstone, Ariz. (population 1,562)

Source: 2009 population estimates

<http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb10-81.html>

-- Pumpkin Center, N.C. (population 2,228); and Pumpkin Bend, Ark.

(population 307)

Source: 2000 Census

>

-- Cape Fear in New Hanover County, N.C. (population 15,711); and Cape Fear

in Chatham County, N.C. (population 1,170).

Source: 2000 Census

>

-- Skull Creek, Neb. (population 274)

Source: 2009 population estimates

<http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb10-81.html>

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.

Source: County Business Patterns: 2008 <http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

NAICS code (31132) and (31133)

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.

Source: County Business Patterns: 2008 <http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

NAICS code (31134)

24.3 pounds

Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2009.

Source: Current Industrial Reports, Confectionery: 2009 <

http://www.census.gov/manufacturing/cir/historical_data/ma311d/index.html>

1,814

Number of costume rental and formal wear establishments across the nation

in 2008.

Source: 2008 County Business Patterns <

http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/cb10-114.html

>

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