Fun Halloween Facts: Trick or Treat and Pumpkin Pies

Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts and vampires, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Over the years, Halloween customs have changed dramatically. Today, Halloween is celebrated in many different ways in Minnetonka, including wearing costumes, trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins, and going to haunted houses and parties.

Trick or Treat!

41 million

The estimated number of potential trick-or-treaters in 2011 — children age 5 to 14 — across the United States. Of course, many other children — older than 14 and younger than 5 — also go trick-or-treating. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

115 million

Number of occupied housing units across the nation in 2011 — all potential stops for trick-or-treaters. 

Jack-o’-Lanterns and Pumpkin Pies

$113 million

Value of pumpkins harvested from the top six pumpkin-producing states, Illinois, California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan in 2011. 

Where to Spend Halloween?

Some places around the country that may put you in the Halloween mood are:

• Transylvania County, N.C. (population 32,820) 

•Tombstone, Ariz. (population 1,396) 

• Pumpkin Center, N.C. (population 2,222)

• Pumpkin Bend, Ark. (population 276) 

• Cape Fear in New Hanover County, N.C. (population 18,388); and Cape Fear in Chatham County, N.C. (population 1,323).

• Skull Creek, Neb. (population 268) 

Candy and Costumes

1,155

Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2010, employing 35,074 people. Pennsylvania led the nation in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with 102, followed by California, with 100. 

409

Number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionary products in 2010. These establishments employed 17,526 people. California led the nation in this category, with 49 establishments. 

Candy Bars

The best candy to get. Based on a survey of more than 100 Americans, the most popular candy was chocolate candy bars. This is followed by chocolate candy pieces, then fruit flavored chewy candies, fruit flavored hard candies, seasonal candy like candy corn and caramel apples, lollipops and suckers, bubble gum, and lastly "other." This includes non-food items like toothbrushes, spare change, stickers and coupons.

1,634

Number of costume rental and formal wear establishments across the nation in 2010. 

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