Halloween is a fun and festive celebration characterized by child-friendly activities like carving pumpkins and donning masks and quirky costumes to trick-or-treat. Some trace the spooky tradition to the festival of Samhain among the Celts of ancient Britain and Ireland. When large numbers of Irish and other immigrants went to the United States beginning in the mid-19th century, they took their Halloween customs with them. In the 20th century, Halloween, celebrated October 31 (the night before All Saints’ or All Hallows’ Day), became a favorite pastime, especially among kids.

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

Trick or Treat!

133.2 million

The number of occupied U.S. housing units – potential stops for trick-or-treaters – in 2023.

Source:

2023 American Housing Survey

72.8 million

The estimated number of U.S. children under the age of 18 (read: potential trick-or-treaters) as of July 1, 2023.

Source:

Vintage 2023 Population Estimates

56.6 million

The number of occupied U.S. housing units with steps that trick-or-treaters had to climb to collect their treats – or tricks – in 2023.

2023 American Housing Survey

Sweet Economic Statistics

Source: 2022 County Business Patterns*

3,399

The number of U.S. confectionery and nut stores in 2022.

732

The number of U.S. formal wear and costume rental establishments in 2022.

280

The number of U.S. establishments that primarily produced products from cacao beans in 2022.

*The County Business Patterns data above represents establishments with employees.

Spooky-Sounding Places

Sources: City and Town Population Totals 2020-2023*

Big Bear Lake City, Calif. (2023 population: 5,007)

Casper, Wyo. (2023 population: 58,720)

Devils Lake, N.D. (2023 population: 7,135)

Deadwood City, S.D. (2023 population: 1,343)

Kill Devil Hills, N.C. (2023 population: 7,778)

Scarville, Iowa (2023 population: 78)

Seven Devils Town, N.C. (2023 population: 315)

Slaughter Beach, Del. (2023 population: 241)

Slaughter Town, La. (2023 population: 1,006)

Slaughters City, Ky. (2023 population: 186)

Sleepy Hollow, Ill. (2023 population: 3,131)

Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. (2023 population: 10,962)

Tombstone, Ariz. (2023 population: 1,312)

Truth or Consequences, N.M. (2023 population: 6,000)

Yellville, Ark. (2023 population: 1,164)

*Check out the City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023 page.

Previous Facts for Features

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.

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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 - September 30, 2024

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