Halloween in a Census Year
This year, 2010, marks another U.S. Census year. And while we hear lots of jibber-jabber on the television about the importance of census data in determining things like funding for schools and regional planning for health care and employment. We fans of Halloween, however, know that census data means something altogether different. Let's take a look at the numbers that really matter!
Q: How many trick-or-treaters are there each year?
A: According to the last census, there were 36.4 million 5-13 year olds in America. This year, that number is expected to be even higher! To be safe, you better pick up an extra bag of candy...maybe two.
Q: Candy ... how can there possibly be enough for all of those trick-or-treater?
A: Candy is big business in the United States. Approximately 1,800 candy makers in cash in on a $19 billion industry. When you combine Christmas, Easter, and Valentine's Day with Halloween, the average American consumes roughly 25 pounds of candy every year. So don't fret, there will always be enough candy for Halloween.
Q: Who's got the good stuff?
A: If you are looking to take your little ghouls and gremlins door-to-door this Halloween, be sure to wear comfortable shoes. According to the last census, there were more than 106 million occupied houses, apartments, and condos in the United States. Whew, that's a lot of doors!
Q: Where can you find a costume for this Halloween?
A: Including seasonal stores that pop up just for the Halloween season, there are nearly 3,000 costume stores in America. Combine them with the costumes you can get at your regular big box stores and numerous online costume retailers and there's a costume store for every taste.
Q: Where is the best place to get a Halloween pumpkin?
A: Of the nearly 1 BILLION pounds of pumpkins grown in the United States every year, almost half are grown in Illinois, making the Land of Lincoln the pumpkin capital of America. Other states in the Upper Midwest also produce their fair share of pumpkins with Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania also producing more than 70 millions pounds of pumpkins every year.
From Hell, Michigan (population 266) to Slaughter Beach, Delaware (population 198), Halloween is a time-honored American tradition with some numbers that are truly monstrous. This Halloween, pick a pumpkin, a costume, and a neighborhood and go for it. Hopefully, you'll rack up some new numbers on the Halloween fun-o-meter, too.
Brenda Hineman thinks Halloween is the new black. She also writes about Halloween Costumes at StarCostumes.com.
posted by Shaggy D at
4:35 PM
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