Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts and vampires.
Today, Halloween has evolved into a celebration characterized by child-friendly activities, such as costumes, trick-or-treating and carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns.
Trick or Treat!
41.1 million
The estimated number of potential trick-or-treaters in 2015 — children ages 5 to 14 — across the U.S. Of course, many other children — older than age 15 and younger than age 5 — also go trick-or-treating.
118.3 million
The number of occupied housing units across the nation in the second quarter 2016 — all potential stops for trick-or-treaters.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Housing Vacancies and Homeownership,
78.7%
The percentage of U.S. households that agreed their neighbors could be trusted in 2013.
Hauntingly Delicious
37,128
The number of people employed by U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2014. This industry’s value of shipments totaled $16.0 billion, up from $15.2 billion in 2013.
17,815
The number of people employed by U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced nonchocolate confectionary products. This industry’s value of shipments totaled $8.2 billion in 2014.
3,217
The number of U.S. confectionary and nut stores that sell candy and other confectionary products, employing 22,086 people in 2014.
Dressed to Thrill
A sampling of occupations that one may dress up as for Halloween:
Occupation Number of Full-Time,
Year-Round Employees
Athletes, coaches, umpires and related workers 109,943
Bailiffs, correctional officers and jailers 376,460
Dentists 95,713
Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers 478,065
Firefighters 254,678
Police and sheriff’s patrol officers 662,619
Registered nurses 2,227,835
Places to Spend Halloween
Some places around the country that may put you in the Halloween mood:
Tombstone, Ariz. (estimated population 1,312)
Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. (estimated population 10,242)
Kill Devil Hills, N.C. (estimated population 7,058)
Yellville, Ark. (estimated population 1,169)
Transylvania County, N.C. (estimated population 33,211)|
Slaughter Beach, Del. (estimated population 230)
Casper, Wyo. (estimated population 60,285)
Scarville, Iowa (estimated population 71)
Truth or Consequences, N.M. (estimated population 6,079)
Spooktacular
4,449
The number of motion picture theaters (except drive-ins) in the U.S. in 2014 where one could possibly enjoy a horror movie. California (511), Texas (326), New York (265) and Florida (195) had the most of such establishments. There were 219 drive-in motion picture theaters in 2014 — Ohio had 23, and California and Pennsylvania each had 19 drive-in motion picture theaters.
40,900
The number of acres of pumpkins harvested in the U.S. in 2015, with a total estimated production value of $90.2 million. Of the top six pumpkin-producing states, Illinois led the country by producing an estimated 318.0 million pounds of this vined gourd, followed by California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and New York. Pumpkins are frequently carved as decorations around Halloween.
$1.04 Billion
The estimated construction spending on theme/amusement parks in 2015. Halloween events at theme/amusement parks can be frighteningly fun.
1,078
The number of formal wear and costume rental establishments in the U.S. This industry had 6,611 paid employees across the nation in 2014 (for the pay period including March 12, 2014).
302
The number of broom, brush, and mop and casket manufacturing establishments (for the more authentic witches and vampires). Combined, these two industries employed 12,627 people and had a total value of shipments of $3.6 billion in 2012.
