The observance of Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts and vampires. Over the years, Halloween customs and rituals have changed dramatically. Today, Halloween is celebrated in many different ways, including wearing costumes, children trick or treating, carving pumpkins, and going to haunted houses and parties. Here are some facts about Halloween from the U.S. Census Bureau:
41 million: The estimated number of trick-or-treaters in 2010 – children age 5 to 14 – across the United States.
116.7 million: Number of occupied housing units across the nation in 2010 – all potential stops for trick-or-treaters.
92%:
Percentage of households with residents who consider their neighborhood
safe. In addition, 78% said there was no place within a mile of their
homes where they would be afraid to walk alone at night.
1.1 billion pounds:
Pumpkin production by major pumpkin-producing states in 2010. Illinois
produced an estimated 427 million pounds of pumpkins. California, New
York and Ohio were also major pumpkin-producing states, each with an
estimate of more than 100 million pounds.
1,177:
Number of U.S. companies that produced chocolate products in 2009,
employing 34,252 people. California led the nation in the number of
chocolate establishments, with 135, followed by Pennsylvania, with 111.
409:
Number of U.S. establishments that manufacture non-chocolate candy
products in 2009. These establishments employed 16,974 people.
California led the nation, with 45 establishments.
24.7 pounds: Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2010.
1,719: Number of costume rental and formal wear establishments across the nation in 2009.
Some places around the country that may put you in the Halloween mood:- Transylvania County, North Carolina (population 33,090)
- Tombstone, Arizona (population 1,380)
- Pumpkin Center, North Carolina (population 2,222)
- Pumpkin Bend, Arkansas (population 276)
- Cape Fear, New Hanover County, North Carolina (population 18,388)
- Cape Fear, Chatham County, North Carolina (population 1,323)
- Skull Creek, Nebraska (population 271)
