Bentley Library Home
Blog Hero Image - In the Know

Halloween Facts & Figures

Back to In The Know Blog
by Lisa Curtin
October 27, 2009

How much money will we spend on Halloween candy this year?  Which state produces the most pumpkins? How many trick-or-treaters are there in the United States? We can answer these questions using a few key industry research sources, including library databases IBISWorld and Mintel, as well as the U.S. Census.  Check these facts out: According to industry research firm IBISWorld:1

  • Halloween sales are expected to reach a record-breaking $6 billion in 2009, up 4.2 percent from the $5.77 billion generated last year.
  • The average person is estimated to spend about $22.50 on Halloween treats in 2009.
  • 32 percent of people celebrating the holiday will either host or attend a party. For this reason, IBISWorld expects decorations to reach its highest level yet at $1.64 billion.

Furthermore, market research firm Mintel tells us that:

  • 65% of Americans celebrate Halloween.2
  • the Halloween holiday actually ranks 4th in sales of chocolate, behind Easter (1st), Christmas (2nd), and Valentine's Day (3rd). 3

Lastly, the U.S. Census provides us with their annual list of Halloween fun facts.  How else would we know that:

  • 1.1 billion pounds of pumpkins were produced by major pumpkin-producing states in 2008. (Illinois led the country by producing 496 million pounds).
  • the per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2008 was 23.8 pounds.
  • the estimated number of potential trick-or-treaters in 2008 - children 5 to 13 - across the United States was 36 million. 4

The staff of the Bentley Library wishes everyone a Happy Halloween!

Sources:

1 "Holiday Sales Un-Spooked By Recession According To IBISWorld Data". IBISWorld Press Release. 13 October 2009. http://www.ibisworld.com/pressrelease/pressrelease.aspx?prid=202.

2 Holiday Shopping - US - June 2009. Mintel Oxygen database.

3 Chocolate Confectionery - US - July 2008.  Mintel Oxygen database.

4 Facts for Features - Halloween: October 31, 2009.  U.S. Census Press Release. 31 August 2009. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/014211.html