Are Americans becoming jaded about Halloween? Probably not — though according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), shoppers plan to spend a collective $8.8 billion on the holiday this year, down from last year’s $9 billion.
The NRF expects that fewer people will celebrate the occasion, too — 172 million, versus 175 million in 2018. However, another source, the data website Statista puts this year’s number higher, computing that 68% of the population — equal to around 230 million Americans — plan to celebrate Halloween or participate in Halloween activities this year. Two of the most popular ways of doing so, it notes, are handing out candy and carving pumpkins.
The NRF has gathered some interesting statistics about Halloween beyond how many people plan to celebrate it and how much they plan to spend. For instance, online search remains the primary source of costume and decoration inspiration, singled out by 35% of those surveyed, followed by browsing in stores (28%) and taking ideas from friends and family (20%). Social media is also influential, of course, with 25% of women (but only 12% of men) drawing from Pinterest, while 19% of men (but only 10% of women) turning to YouTube for ideas.
Costumes remain the major expenditure, according to the NRF, costing celebrants an estimated $3.2 billion. Candy will cost $2.6 billion and decorations $2.7 billion.
Some 69% of those who responded to the NRF’s survey will be giving out candy, 49% will put up decorations (inside and/or outside), 47% will don costumes, 44% will carve a pumpkin, 32% will throw or attend a party, 29% will take their kids trick-or-treating, 22% will visit a haunted house, and 17% will put costumes on their pets.
It’s clear that some parts of the country are more into Halloween than others. These are the cities spending the most on Halloween.
Click here to see every state’s Halloween obsession, ranked.
Click here to see our full methodology.
To determine which corners of America go craziest for the holiday, 24/7 Tempo considered a number of factors on a state-by-state basis, including frequency of Halloween-related Google searches; number of costume shops, candy stores, and haunted houses; and amount of Halloween candy bought. (See Methodology for more complete information.) We also included the results of an earlier analysis in which we identified the best place in every state to trick-or-treat.
That Halloween candy is often chocolate, of course, which is popular year round. Here is the best chocolate shop in every state.
The numbers might be down a bit for Halloween expenditures and participation this year, but there’s still plenty of holiday obsession to go around out there.
50. Michigan
> Population: 9,995,915
> Annual candy consumption: 307,395 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 3,075 pounds (11th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Starburst, Candy Corn, Skittles
> Best place for trick-or-treating: East Grand Rapids
See all stories featuring: Michigan
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49. New Jersey
> Population: 8,908,520
> Annual candy consumption: 405,439 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 4,551 pounds (19th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Tootsie Pops, Skittles, M&M’s
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Ho-Ho-Kus
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
48. West Virginia
> Population: 1,805,832
> Annual candy consumption: 108,127 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 5,988 pounds (22nd highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Blow Pops, Milky Way, Hershey’s Mini Bars
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Charles Town
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
47. Wisconsin
> Population: 5,813,568
> Annual candy consumption: 267,714 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 4,605 pounds (20th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Starburst, Butterfinger, Hot Tamales
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Elk Mound
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
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46. Alaska
> Population: 737,438
> Annual candy consumption: 13,362 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 1,812 pounds (5th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Twix, Blow Pops, Milky Way
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Anchorage
See all stories featuring: Alaska
45. New York
> Population: 19,542,209
> Annual candy consumption: 404,853 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 2,072 pounds (7th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Hot Tamales, Sour Patch Kids, Candy Corn
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Rye
See all stories featuring: New York
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44. South Dakota
> Population: 882,235
> Annual candy consumption: 57,538 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 6,522 pounds (20th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Starburst, Jolly Ranchers, Candy Corn
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Tea
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
43. Massachusetts
> Population: 6,902,149
> Annual candy consumption: 180,577 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 2,616 pounds (9th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Butterfinger, Sour Patch Kids, Dubble Bubble Gum
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Townsend
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
42. Pennsylvania
> Population: 12,807,060
> Annual candy consumption: 700,641 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 5,471 pounds (25th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Hershey’s Mini Bars, Skittles, M&M’s
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Fox Chapel
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
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41. South Carolina
> Population: 5,084,127
> Annual candy consumption: 294,557 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 5,794 pounds (24th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Skittles, Candy Corn, Butterfinger
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Tega Cay
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
40. North Carolina
> Population: 10,383,620
> Annual candy consumption: 248,255 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 2,391 pounds (8th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Reese’s Cups, M&M’s, Snickers
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Whispering Pines
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
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39. Virginia
> Population: 8,517,685
> Annual candy consumption: 387,567 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 4,550 pounds (18th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Hot Tamales, Snickers, Tootsie Pops
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Haymarket
See all stories featuring: Virginia
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38. Delaware
> Population: 967,171
> Annual candy consumption: 50,026 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 5,172 pounds (23rd lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Skittles, Candy Corn, Life Savers
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Middletown
See all stories featuring: Delaware
37. Iowa
> Population: 3,156,145
> Annual candy consumption: 148,331 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 4,700 pounds (21st lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Candy Corn, M&M’s, Reese’s Cups
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Norwalk
See all stories featuring: Iowa
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36. Kentucky
> Population: 4,468,402
> Annual candy consumption: 172,057 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 3,851 pounds (16th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Swedish Fish, Tootsie Pops, Reese’s Cups
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Simpsonville
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
35. Alabama
> Population: 4,887,871
> Annual candy consumption: 137,459 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 2,812 pounds (10th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Hershey’s Mini Bars, Candy Corn, Tootsie Pops
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Margaret
See all stories featuring: Alabama
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34. Maryland
> Population: 6,042,718
> Annual candy consumption: 89,201 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 1,476 pounds (3rd lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Reese’s Cups, Milky Way, Hershey Kisses
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Sykesville
See all stories featuring: Maryland
33. Oklahoma
> Population: 3,943,079
> Annual candy consumption: 44,317 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 1,124 pounds (2nd lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Dubble Bubble Gum, Snickers, Skittles
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Piedmont
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
32. Mississippi
> Population: 2,986,530
> Annual candy consumption: 258,262 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 8,648 pounds (17th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Snickers, 3 Musketeers, Butterfinger
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Madison
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
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31. Texas
> Population: 28,701,845
> Annual candy consumption: 2,623,662 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 9,141 pounds (15th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Reese’s Cups, Starburst, Sour Patch Kids
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Lavon
See all stories featuring: Texas
30. Georgia
> Population: 10,519,475
> Annual candy consumption: 327,431 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 3,113 pounds (12th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Jolly Ranchers, Swedish Fish, Hershey Kisses
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Holly Springs
See all stories featuring: Georgia
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29. Minnesota
> Population: 5,611,179
> Annual candy consumption: 486,609 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 8,672 pounds (16th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Skittles, Tootsie Pops, Candy Corn
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Elko New Market
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
28. Montana
> Population: 1,062,305
> Annual candy consumption: 62,366 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 5,871 pounds (23rd highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Dubble Bubble Gum, M&M’s, Twix
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Belgrade
See all stories featuring: Montana
27. Illinois
> Population: 12,741,080
> Annual candy consumption: 411,284 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 3,228 pounds (13th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Kit Kat, Sour Patch Kids, Snickers
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Gilberts
See all stories featuring: Illinois
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26. Ohio
> Population: 11,689,442
> Annual candy consumption: 424,465 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 3,631 pounds (14th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: M&M’s, Starburst, Blow Pops
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Powell
See all stories featuring: Ohio
25. Wyoming
> Population: 577,737
> Annual candy consumption: 69,430 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 12,018 pounds (9th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Salt Water Taffy, Reese’s Cups, Dubble Bubble Gum
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Sundance
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
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24. North Dakota
> Population: 760,077
> Annual candy consumption: 168,465 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 22,164 pounds (5th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Candy Corn, Hot Tamales, Jolly Ranchers
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Lincoln
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
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23. Colorado
> Population: 5,695,564
> Annual candy consumption: 321,245 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 5,640 pounds (25th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Twix, Hershey Kisses, Milky Way
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Monument
See all stories featuring: Colorado
22. Tennessee
> Population: 6,770,010
> Annual candy consumption: 140,151 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 2,070 pounds (6th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Tootsie Pops, Skittles, Salt Water Taffy
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Nolensville
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
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21. Missouri
> Population: 6,126,452
> Annual candy consumption: 110,648 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 1,806 pounds (4th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Milky Way, Dubble Bubble Gum, Almond Joy
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Warson Woods
See all stories featuring: Missouri
20. Nebraska
> Population: 1,929,268
> Annual candy consumption: 217,129 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 11,254 pounds (10th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Salt Water Taffy, Sour Patch Kids, Twix
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Bellevue
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
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19. Kansas
> Population: 2,911,510
> Annual candy consumption: 648,973 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 22,290 pounds (4th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Reese’s Cups, M&M’s, Snickers
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Andale
See all stories featuring: Kansas
18. Arkansas
> Population: 3,013,825
> Annual candy consumption: 469,462 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 15,577 pounds (6th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Skittles, Jolly Ranchers, Butterfinger
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Centerton
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
17. Oregon
> Population: 4,190,713
> Annual candy consumption: 220,136 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 5,253 pounds (24th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Reese’s Cups, M&M’s, Candy Corn
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Sherwood
See all stories featuring: Oregon
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16. Connecticut
> Population: 3,572,665
> Annual candy consumption: 6,267 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 175 pounds (the lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Milky Way, Almond Joy, M&M’s
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Darien
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
15. Washington
> Population: 7,535,591
> Annual candy consumption: 507,527 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 6,735 pounds (19th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Salt Water Taffy, Tootsie Pops, Skittles
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Snoqualmie
See all stories featuring: Washington
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14. Florida
> Population: 21,299,325
> Annual candy consumption: 1,500,665 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 7,046 pounds (18th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Skittles, Snickers, Reese’s Cups
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Parkland
See all stories featuring: Florida
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13. Rhode Island
> Population: 1,057,315
> Annual candy consumption: 46,107 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 4,361 pounds (17th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Twix, M&M’s, Candy Corn
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Warwick
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
12. Indiana
> Population: 6,691,878
> Annual candy consumption: 249,186 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 3,724 pounds (15th lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Hot Tamales, Starburst, Jolly Ranchers
> Best place for trick-or-treating: New Whiteland
See all stories featuring: Indiana
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11. Idaho
> Population: 1,754,208
> Annual candy consumption: 197,164 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 11,239 pounds (11th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Candy Corn, Starburst, Snickers
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Shelley
See all stories featuring: Idaho
10. California
> Population: 39,557,045
> Annual candy consumption: 3,740,949 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 9,457 pounds (14th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Skittles, M&M’s, Reese’s Cups
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Vernon
See all stories featuring: California
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9. Maine
> Population: 1,338,404
> Annual candy consumption: 144,519 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 10,798 pounds (12th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Sour Patch Kids, Starburst, M&M’s
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Yarmouth
See all stories featuring: Maine
8. New Mexico
> Population: 2,095,428
> Annual candy consumption: 208,820 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 9,966 pounds (13th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Candy Corn, Jolly Ranchers, Milky Way
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Aztec
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
7. Arizona
> Population: 7,171,646
> Annual candy consumption: 2,103,978 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 29,337 pounds (the highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Hot Tamales, Snickers, Hershey Kisses
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Gilbert
See all stories featuring: Arizona
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6. New Hampshire
> Population: 1,356,458
> Annual candy consumption: 165,289 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 12,185 pounds (7th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Starburst, M&M’s, Snickers
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Charlestown
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
5. Louisiana
> Population: 4,659,978
> Annual candy consumption: 287,395 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 6,167 pounds (21st highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Lemonheads, Reese’s Cups, Blow Pops
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Zachary
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
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4. Vermont
> Population: 626,299
> Annual candy consumption: 76,132 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 12,156 pounds (8th highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: M&M’s, Skittles, Milky Way
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Milton
See all stories featuring: Vermont
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3. Nevada
> Population: 3,034,392
> Annual candy consumption: 726,467 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 23,941 pounds (3rd highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Candy Corn, Hershey Kisses, Tootsie Pops
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Winnemucca
See all stories featuring: Nevada
2. Utah
> Population: 3,161,105
> Annual candy consumption: 902,184 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 28,540 pounds (2nd highest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Jolly Ranchers, Tootsie Pops, Candy Corn
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Saratoga Springs
See all stories featuring: Utah
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1. Hawaii
> Population: 1,420,491
> Annual candy consumption: 71,482 pounds
> Annual candy consumption per 100,000 people: 5,032 pounds (22nd lowest)
> Top 3 favorite candies: Skittles, Hershey’s Mini Bars, Butterfinger
> Best place for trick-or-treating: Hickam Housing
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
Methodology
To determine the states that are most obsessed with Halloween, 24/7 Tempo created an index that includes the frequency at which Halloween-specific terms were searched on Google. We retrieved these statistics from Google Trends and weighted terms that are most closely associated with Halloween, such as Halloween costumes and Halloween decorations.
The index also includes the number of costume stores, candy stores, haunted houses, and the total pounds of the top three candies bought in each state. We retrieved the number of costume and candy stores and haunted tours and houses from Yelp. We only considered cities with at least 100,000 people. For smaller states, we considered the five largest cities. The pounds of candy purchased in each state comes from the blog Candy Store, and is a weighted yearly average based on sales data compiled from 2007-2018, with more recent years weighed more heavily. For each state, we added the total number of pounds of the three most-purchased candies.
To identify the best place in each state for trick-or-treaters, 24/7 Tempo created an index using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 2017 5-Year Estimates and the FBI’s 2017 Uniform Crime Report. The index consists of four measures: rates for poverty, housing occupancy and violent crime, and the share of the population aged 14 and younger.
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