MEDIA RELEASE

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.

* 41.1 million

The estimated number of potential trick-or-treaters in 2012 — children age 5 to 14 — across the U.S. Of course, many other children — older than 14 and younger than 5 — also go trick-or-treating.

* 115 million

Number of occupied housing units across the nation in second quarter 2013 — all potential stops for trick-or-treaters.

* 93.3%

Percentage of households with residents who considered their neighborhood safe in 2011. In addition, 79.5 percent said there was no place within a mile of their homes where they would be afraid to walk alone at night.

* 1,148

Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2011, employing 35,538 people. California led the nation in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with 122, followed by Pennsylvania, with 109.

* 440

Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced non-chocolate confectionary products in 2011. California led the nation in this category, with 56.

Where to Spend Halloween?

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

Tombstone, Ariz. (estimated population 1,358)
Sleepy Hollow, Ill. (estimated population 3,339)
Kill Devil Hills, N.C. (estimated population 6,827)
Casper, Wyo. (estimated population 57,813)
Scarville, Iowa (estimated population 71)

Spooktacular Fun

* 4,575

The number of motion picture theaters (except drive-ins) where one could possibly enjoy a horrorfest. California (537), Texas (296), New York (272) and Florida (206) had the most of such establishments. There were 244 drive-in motion picture theaters in 2011 – Ohio, with 24, had the most.

* 47,800

Acres of pumpkins harvested in the U.S. in 2012, with a total estimated production value of $148.9 million. Of the top six pumpkin-producing states, Illinois led the country by producing an estimated 556.3 million pounds of this vined gourd, followed by California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Michigan. Pumpkins are frequently carved as decorations around Halloween.

* $165 million

The estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate of private nonresidential construction spending on theme/amusement parks for June 2013. Halloween events at theme/amusement parks can be frighteningly fun.

* 1,197

The number of costume rental and formal wear establishments; they had 6,936 paid employees (for pay period including March 12) across the nation in 2011.

* $1.1 billion

Dollar value of U.S. fresh apples exported in 2012. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $284 million worth. Whether bobbing for or dipping in caramel, apples can be a fun treat around Halloween.

Who You Gonna Call?

* 89 percent

Percent of all households that had a cellular phone in 2011 compared with only 36 percent in 1998. The percentage of households with a cellular phone only (no landline) rose from less than 1 percent in 1998 to 28 percent in 2011.

— Find out more:
www.census.gov