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"Halloween: Oct. 31, 2019"

Press Release Number CB19-FF.08

Dating back 2,000 years to the Celtic festival of Samhain, Halloween is an ancient tradition associated with images of witches, ghosts and vampires. Today, Halloween has evolved into a celebration characterized by child-friendly activities like trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns, and dressing in costumes.

The following facts are made possible by the invaluable responses to the U.S. Census Bureau’s surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we continuously measure America’s people, places and economy. 

Trick or Treat!

41.1 million

The estimated number of potential trick-or-treaters in 2018 — children ages 5 to 14.

122.4 million

The number of potential stops for trick-or-treaters to occupied housing units for the 2nd quarter of 2019.

59.1 million

The number of housing units where trick-or-treaters had to climb steps in order to fill their bags full of candy in 2017.

16.4%

The percentage of U.S. households who think their neighborhood has a lot of petty crime.

Hauntingly Delicious Economic Statistics

1,342

The number U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2016.

3,430

The number of U.S. confectionary and nut stores that sold candy and other confectionary products in 2016.

991

The number of formal wear and costume rental establishments in the United States in 2016.

Spooky Places

Tombstone, Ariz. (estimated population 1,300)

Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. (estimated population 10,057)

Kill Devil Hills, N.C. (estimated population 7,202)

Yellville, Ark. (estimated population 1,170)

Transylvania County, N.C. (estimated population 34,215)

Slaughter Beach, Del. (estimated population 232)

Casper, Wyo. (estimated population 57,461)

Scarville, Iowa (estimated population 70)

Related News Products

The following is a list of observances typically covered by the Census Bureau’s Facts for Features series:

Black (African American) History Month (February)
Women's History Month (March)
Irish-American Heritage Month (March)
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May)
The Fourth of July (July 4)
Anniversary of Americans With Disabilities Act (July 26)
Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15)
Halloween (Oct. 31)
American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month (November)
Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
Thanksgiving Day/Holiday Season (November-December)

Editor’s note: The preceding data were collected from a variety of sources and may be subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. Facts for Features are customarily released about two months before an observance in order to accommodate magazine production timelines. Questions or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau’s Public Information Office: telephone: 301-763-3030; or e-mail: pio@census.gov.

Profile America's Facts for Features provides statistics related to observances and holidays not covered by Stats for Stories. For observances not listed below, visit our Stats for Stories web page. 

Profile America's Stats for Stories provides links to timely story ideas highlighting the Census Bureau's newsworthy statistics that relate to current events, observances, holidays, and anniversaries. The story ideas are intended to assist the media in story mining and producing content for their respective audiences.

 

 

 

Page Last Revised - December 16, 2021
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