WASHINGTON, D.C. — As families prepare costumes, stock up on candy, and carve jack-o’-lanterns for October 31, data released by the U.S. Census Bureau highlights the impressive numbers behind America’s celebration of Halloween.
Originating from the ancient Gaelic festival of Samhain—which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter—the annual holiday has evolved into a nationwide day of trick-or-treating, dress-up, and social gatherings.
Trick-or-Treaters and Homes Across the Nation
The scale of trick-or-treating across the United States involves tens of millions of youth and households:
- Potential Trick-or-Treaters: An estimated 40 million children aged 5 to 14 live across the United States.
- Potential Destinations: Nearly 134 million occupied housing units serve as potential stops for trick-or-treaters looking for candy.
- Doorsteps to Climb: Approximately 56.6 million U.S. housing units feature steps that young trick-or-treaters will ascend in search of treats.
Costume Trends & Industry Highlights
Halloween dress-up supports hundreds of specialty businesses. Nationwide, there are almost 700 formal wear and costume rental establishments.
Children often dress up as real-world heroes and professionals. Census workforce data reveals the national employment counts for some of the most popular occupational costumes:
| Popular Costume Occupation | Full-Time U.S. Workforce Count |
| Registered Nurses | 2,756,000 |
| Physicians and Surgeons | 843,000 |
| Police Officers | 765,000 |
| Firefighters | 351,000 |
| Dentists | 117,000 |
| Athletes & Sports Competitors | 26,000 |
| Actors | 18,000 |
The Candy Industry
No Halloween is complete without sweet treats, and American manufacturing powers a massive confectionery workforce:
- Specialty Retail: Over 3,400 candy and nut stores operate across the country.
- Chocolate Manufacturing: Approximately 42,000 workers (42,020) are employed by U.S. chocolate and chocolate candy manufacturing businesses.
- Non-Chocolate Manufacturing: Roughly 29,000 workers (28,988) manufacture non-chocolate candies.
Spooky-Named Towns Across America
The Census Bureau also highlighted several incorporated places with uniquely eerie or thematic names:
- Scarville, Iowa — Population: 73
- Slaughter Beach, Delaware — Population: 255
- Tombstone, Arizona — Population: 1,376
- Bad Axe, Michigan — Population: 2,943
- Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina — Population: 7,731
- Sleepy Hollow, New York — Population: 11,474
- Munster, Indiana — Population: 23,504
- Salem, Massachusetts — Population: 45,381
- Casper, Wyoming — Population: 58,771
