Halloween Statistics in US 2026 | SALES, Date, Costumes & Facts

Halloween Celebrations in America 2026

Halloween 2026 falls on Saturday, October 31, and it remains one of the most widely observed cultural celebrations in the United States, blending centuries-old harvest traditions with modern trick-or-treating, costume culture, and neighborhood festivities. The holiday traces its roots to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, brought to American shores by Irish and other European immigrants beginning in the mid-19th century. Today, it has grown into a nationwide phenomenon that touches nearly every household, with tens of millions of children dressing up, millions of homes handing out candy, and thousands of small businesses — from costume shops to pumpkin farms — depending on the season for a meaningful share of their annual revenue.

This report pulls together the latest verified U.S. government data — sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — to paint an accurate, data-driven picture of Halloween in the US in 2026. From the number of potential trick-or-treaters and pumpkin farms to safety risks on the road and household candy spending, these figures reflect the most current, officially confirmed statistics available as this report is being published, ahead of the 2026 holiday.

Interesting Halloween Facts and Latest Statistics in the US 2026

Data source: U.S. Census Bureau Facts for Features, 2025; USDA Economic Research Service, 2025; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024

These figures show just how large the infrastructure behind Halloween in the US truly is. With 73.1 million children under age 18 counted in the most recent Census Bureau population estimates, the pool of potential trick-or-treaters remains substantial heading into Halloween 2026, while the 133.2 million occupied housing units nationwide represent the total universe of potential candy stops each October 31. Notably, more than 56.6 million of those homes have steps that trick-or-treaters must climb to reach the door, a detail the Census Bureau highlights because it directly affects accessibility and safety planning for families with small children.

On the commercial side, government business-pattern data confirms that Halloween supports a dedicated retail and manufacturing ecosystem, including 3,409 confectionery and nut stores, 681 costume and formal-wear rental shops, and 280 establishments that process cacao beans into chocolate products. Combined with 1.44 billion pounds of pumpkins produced nationwide in the most recent USDA harvest year and average household candy spending of $164 annually, the data confirms that Halloween is both a deeply rooted cultural tradition and a measurable economic event tracked across multiple federal agencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Trick-or-Treater Housing and Population Statistics in the US 2026

Occupied Housing Units (2023)......... 133.2M  ████████████████████████████████
Children Under 18 (2024 Est.).......... 73.1M  ██████████████████
Homes With Steps to Climb (2023)....... 56.6M  ██████████████

Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Housing Survey and Vintage 2024 Population Estimates

The US Census Bureau tracks these figures annually because they form the backbone of Halloween’s trick-or-treat tradition. With 133.2 million occupied housing units counted in the most recent American Housing Survey, the sheer number of potential candy stops dwarfs the population of trick-or-treaters themselves, meaning most children can expect a generous circuit of homes to visit on Halloween night in their neighborhoods. The 73.1 million children under 18 figure, drawn from the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2024 population estimates, represents the pool of Americans most likely to participate directly in door-to-door candy collection, though older teens and adults dressing up for parties and events add substantially more participants beyond this core group.

Perhaps the most practically useful statistic for families is that 56.6 million homes — roughly 42.5% of all occupied housing units — have steps that trick-or-treaters must climb to reach the front door. This detail matters for parents planning routes for younger children or those using wheelchairs or strollers, and it is precisely the kind of granular, real-world data point that distinguishes Census Bureau Facts for Features releases from casual holiday trivia. Together, these numbers confirm that Halloween’s basic infrastructure — enough homes, enough treats, and enough children — remains firmly in place for the 2026 season.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey

Halloween Candy and Confectionery Business Statistics in the US 2026

Confectionery/Nut Stores..........  3,409  ████████████████████████████████
Cacao Processing Establishments.....  280  ██
Costume Rental Establishments.......  681  ██████

Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 County Business Patterns

The US Census Bureau’s County Business Patterns dataset, which captures employer establishments across the country, confirms that Halloween supports a specialized commercial base beyond general retail. The 3,409 confectionery and nut stores counted nationwide represent dedicated candy and sweets retailers that see significant seasonal foot traffic in the weeks leading up to October 31, while the much smaller 280 cacao bean processing establishments represent the upstream chocolate manufacturing base that supplies candy makers throughout the year, with Halloween representing one of their busiest sales windows.

Meanwhile, the 681 costume and formal-wear rental establishments highlight a smaller but essential niche within the Halloween economy — businesses that specifically supply costumes, masks, and accessories for rent rather than one-time purchase. Although most Halloween costumes today are bought rather than rented, these specialty establishments cater to group events, theatrical-style costumes, and higher-end adult costume needs that go beyond what a typical retail costume shop offers. Collectively, these three categories illustrate how Halloween in the United States 2026 continues to support a measurable slice of the retail and light-manufacturing economy that federal business surveys track year-round.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns

Halloween Household Candy Spending Statistics in the US 2026

2013 Spending....... $88   ████████████████
2022 Spending....... $125  ███████████████████████
2023 Spending....... $164  ██████████████████████████████

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey, The Economics Daily

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, American households spent an average of $164 on candy and chewing gum in 2023, the most recent year for which detailed Consumer Expenditure Survey data is verified and published. This represents a 31.2% increase over 2022 spending levels and an 86.4% jump compared to 2013, growth that significantly outpaced the 51.2% rise in total average household expenditures over the same decade. Candy and chewing gum spending has consistently grown faster than overall household budgets, reflecting both inflationary pressure on sugar and confectionery products and steady consumer demand around holidays like Halloween, Easter, and Christmas.

The BLS data also shows related seasonal treat categories growing in tandem, with average household spending on cookies reaching $91 and spending on cakes and cupcakes reaching $67 in 2023, both up 26.4% year-over-year. While this spending is tracked annually rather than broken out specifically for Halloween, the fourth quarter — anchored by Halloween candy purchases in October — represents one of the heaviest concentrations of confectionery spending in the household budget calendar, according to BLS seasonal retail patterns.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Pumpkin Production Statistics in the US 2026

2024 Total Production........... 1.44B lbs  ██████████████████████████████
2020-23 Four-Year Average....... 1.58B lbs  █████████████████████████████████
Top 5 States' Production Share..    67%+    ████████████████████████████

Data source: USDA Economic Research Service, Pumpkins: Background & Statistics, 2025

The USDA Economic Research Service confirms that pumpkin farming remains a significant part of the fall agricultural economy tied directly to Halloween demand. According to the latest USDA figures, total US pumpkin production reached 1.44 billion pounds in 2024, falling slightly below the 2020–2023 four-year average of 1.58 billion pounds, largely due to weather-related yield fluctuations that farmers face each growing season. Pumpkins are cultivated across more than 68,000 acres nationwide, with all 50 states producing at least some pumpkins, though production is heavily concentrated: the top five pumpkin-producing states account for over 67% of the nation’s total output, led by Illinois, which alone produces the majority of pumpkins destined for processing into canned puree and pie filling. For families researching fall shopping trends more broadly, government farm data like this often overlaps with broader retail behavior tracked in reports such as Black Friday statistics in the US, since pumpkin and fall-décor purchases frequently mark the start of the extended holiday shopping season.

Per-capita pumpkin consumption has climbed to 5 to 6 pounds annually, up from roughly 4 pounds in the early 2000s, reflecting growing popularity of pumpkin-flavored foods, seasonal lattes, and home decorating trends that extend well beyond traditional jack-o’-lantern carving. USDA data further shows that approximately 85% of pumpkin-producing acreage nationally is allocated to the fresh and ornamental market — meaning pumpkins destined for porches, carving, and seasonal display — while the remaining share supplies the processing market for canned pumpkin products. With roughly 80% of annual pumpkin production and use occurring during the autumn holiday season, Halloween and the broader fall harvest period represent the single most important sales window of the year for American pumpkin farmers.

Source: USDA Economic Research Service

Halloween Pedestrian Safety Statistics in the US 2026

Alcohol-Related Halloween Deaths (2019-23)... 198  ██████████████████████████████
Drunk-Driving Deaths (BAC .08+).............. 176  ██████████████████████████
Pedestrian Victims Among Drunk-Driving Deaths.  30 ██████

Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation

NHTSA data covering Halloween night from 6 p.m. on October 31 through 5:59 a.m. on November 1 across the five-year period from 2019 to 2023 shows that 198 people were killed nationwide in alcohol-related crashes during this narrow overnight window. Of those, 176 deaths involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration at or above the legal limit of .08, and tragically, 30 of the victims were pedestrians — a stark reminder that Halloween’s combination of low visibility, costume-restricted peripheral vision, and increased foot traffic in residential areas creates elevated risk for people walking on and near roadways after dark.

The remaining 145 victims of drunk-driving crashes on Halloween night were drivers and passengers, and NHTSA notes that people aged 21 to 34 were overrepresented, accounting for 54% of all drunk-driving fatalities during this period. NHTSA separately identifies Halloween as consistently ranking among the top days of the year for pedestrian injuries and fatalities, a pattern that has held for decades and is reinforced by historical CDC research showing that childhood pedestrian deaths increase substantially on Halloween evening compared to any other night of the year. These federal safety statistics underscore why agencies continue urging both drivers and trick-or-treaters to exercise heightened caution during Halloween 2026.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation

Halloween Emergency Room Injury Statistics in the US 2026

Pumpkin Carving Injuries....... 55%  ███████████████████████████
Falls & Trip Hazards........... 25%  █████████████
Costume/Decoration Injuries.... 20%  ██████████

Data source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), News Release

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that an average of 3,200 Halloween-related injuries are treated in American hospital emergency departments each year, based on a rolling three-year analysis of incident reports. More than half of these injuries — 55% — stem from pumpkin carving accidents, typically cuts and lacerations from knives and carving tools, which is why CPSC consistently recommends that young children stick to scooping out pumpkin interiors while adults handle the actual carving. Another 25% of injuries result from falls, whether from putting up or taking down decorations, tripping over ill-fitting costumes, or stumbling while walking door-to-door in the dark.

The remaining 20% of Halloween-related emergency room visits cover a broader category that includes lacerations, ingestions, allergic reactions, and rashes linked to costumes, pumpkins, or decorations. Interestingly, CPSC data shows that 54% of those injured are adults aged 18 and older, while 46% are minors, a split that challenges the assumption that Halloween injuries mostly affect trick-or-treating children — in reality, adults handling knives, ladders, and holiday decorations account for the majority of reported incidents. CPSC continues to recommend flame-resistant costume fabrics, battery-operated lighting for jack-o’-lanterns instead of open flames, and dedicated pumpkin-carving tools rather than kitchen knives to reduce these preventable injuries ahead of Halloween 2026.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Historical Child Pedestrian Risk Statistics on Halloween in the US 2026

Halloween Evening Pedestrian Death Increase vs. Other Evenings
Standard Evening........ 1x baseline  ████████
Halloween Evening....... 4x baseline  ████████████████████████████████

Data source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

A long-running CDC analysis using NHTSA’s Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS) examined child pedestrian deaths in the United States from 1975 through 1996, focusing specifically on the hours between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. on October 31, when most Halloween trick-or-treating activity among children aged 5 to 14 traditionally occurs. The study found a fourfold increase in childhood pedestrian deaths during those Halloween evening hours compared to the same hours on all other evenings of the year, with a total of 89 recorded deaths during the defined Halloween window across the 22-year study period.

While this federal analysis is decades old, its underlying finding — that Halloween evening poses a dramatically elevated pedestrian risk to children — continues to inform the safety guidance issued by NHTSA and CPSC every year, including for Halloween 2026. Contextually, pedestrian deaths accounted for approximately 15% of all motor-vehicle-related deaths among children aged 0 to 19 nationwide during the mid-1990s reference period, underscoring why federal agencies have sustained decades of consistent Halloween safety messaging around visibility, adult supervision, and safe walking routes. For readers researching how holiday-season safety data compares across the calendar, similar historical travel-risk patterns are explored in Thanksgiving facts and history in the US, which covers the busiest travel period later in the same holiday season.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Holiday Season Retail Employment Statistics in the US 2026

2018 Seasonal Hiring Buildup....... 560,000  ████████████████████████
2019 Seasonal Hiring Buildup....... 625,000  ███████████████████████████
2024 Seasonal Hiring Buildup....... 492,000  █████████████████████

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics, The Economics Daily

The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks seasonal hiring across five retail industries that typically ramp up staffing for the holiday shopping season, which begins in earnest around Halloween and continues through the winter holidays. According to the most recent BLS data, these industries added 492,000 seasonal jobs during October through December 2024, a slightly stronger holiday buildup than the prior year, though still below the 625,000 jobs added during the same pre-pandemic period in 2019. Retailers hiring for candy, costume, and seasonal décor sales in the lead-up to Halloween contribute meaningfully to this early autumn employment increase, which BLS data shows is not seasonally adjusted, reflecting real hiring activity as it happens on the ground.

Following the peak season, BLS reports that retailers laid off fewer seasonal workers than in prior years, retaining 29,000 more seasonal employees during the January–February 2025 post-holiday layoff period compared with only 4,000 retained the year before — a sign of a comparatively stable labor market heading into the following retail cycle. Because Halloween functions as the unofficial opening bell for the extended fall-to-winter retail season, its performance is often an early signal that BLS economists and retail analysts watch closely when forecasting broader holiday employment and consumer spending trends for the months that follow, including patterns explored in reports on American farmers statistics, given the shared agricultural and retail supply chains feeding into fall seasonal commerce.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Spooky-Sounding Places Population Statistics in the US 2026

Casper, Wyo..............  58,823  ██████████████████████████████
Kill Devil Hills, N.C.....  7,742  ████
Devils Lake, N.D..........  7,314  ████
Sleepy Hollow, N.Y........ 11,427  ██████
Truth or Consequences, N.M. 5,942  ███

Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2024

Each year, the US Census Bureau highlights a list of American towns and cities with delightfully spooky-sounding names, using its official City and Town Population Totals dataset as a lighthearted companion to the more data-heavy portions of its Halloween Facts for Features release. Among the largest of these communities is Casper, Wyoming, home to 58,823 residents as of the most recent population estimate, followed by the more famously eerie Sleepy Hollow, New York, with 11,427 residents, drawing its name-recognition boost from Washington Irving’s classic tale of the Headless Horseman.

Smaller communities round out the list with equally evocative names, including Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina (7,742 residents), Devils Lake, North Dakota (7,314 residents), and Truth or Consequences, New Mexico (5,942 residents) — a town that famously renamed itself in 1950 after a popular radio quiz show. On the smallest end, Scarville, Iowa has just 75 residents, illustrating how the Census Bureau’s population totals capture even the tiniest American communities. These figures, while playful in framing, are drawn from the same rigorous population estimation methodology the Census Bureau uses for all of its official demographic reporting.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, City and Town Population Totals

Costume and Decoration Safety Compliance Statistics in the US 2026

Costume Fires (Candles, avg 2017-19)........ 5,600  ██████████████████████████
Electrical Cord/Plug Fires (avg 2017-19)..... 1,600 ████████

Data source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; National Fire Protection Association data cited in CPSC releases

Under the federal Flammable Fabrics Act, all Halloween costumes sold at retail in the United States are legally required to resist rapid, intense burning, and the CPSC actively enforces this standard, recalling non-compliant costumes and accessories when violations are identified. CPSC fire-safety reporting shows that candles — frequently used to light jack-o’-lanterns — were associated with an average of 5,600 fires annually between 2017 and 2019, while electrical cords and plugs used for holiday lighting and decorations contributed to another 1,600 fires per year on average. These figures explain why CPSC consistently recommends battery-operated lights or glow sticks in place of open-flame candles for pumpkin displays.

Halloween’s fire risk is significant enough that it consistently ranks among the top five days of the year for candle-related home fires, a distinction tracked in coordination with national fire-safety data. Combined with the costume flammability requirements enforced under federal law, this data reinforces why safety agencies dedicate specific, recurring guidance to Halloween each year rather than folding it into generic year-round fire-safety messaging — the concentration of open flames, synthetic costume fabrics, and temporary electrical decorations creates a uniquely elevated seasonal risk profile that federal regulators actively monitor and address ahead of every October 31.

Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.

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