Halloween - October 31, 2011

Native News Network Staff in Native Briefs. Discussion »

1.1 Billion Pounds

Native Brief: WASHINGTON - A quick view of several tribal websites indicates American Indian tribes are celebrating Halloween with parties for Native youth. However, you may acknowledge or celebrate Halloween, have a safe one!

The US Census Bureau provides an overview of annual holidays celebrated by Americans. The following information was supplied by the Census Bureau:

Halloween

The observance of Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts and vampires. Over the years, Halloween customs and rituals have changed dramatically. Today, Halloween is celebrated many different ways, including wearing costumes, children trick or treating, carving pumpkins, and going to haunted houses and parties.

Trick or Treat!

41 million

The estimated number of potential trick-or-treaters in 2010 - children age 5 to 14 - across the United States. Of course, many other children - older than 14 and younger than 5 - also go trick-or-treating.

116.7 million

Number of occupied housing units across the nation in 2010 - all potential stops for trick-or-treaters.

92 percent

Percentage of households with residents who consider their neighborhood safe. In addition, 78 percent said there was no place within a mile of their homes where they would be afraid to walk alone at night.

Jack-O'-Lanterns and Pumpkin Pies

1.1 billion pounds

Pumpkin production by major pumpkin-producing states in 2010. Illinois produced an estimated 427 million pounds of the vined orange gourd. California, New York and Ohio were also major pumpkin-producing states, each with an estimate of more than 100 million pounds.

Where to Spend Halloween?

Some places around the country that may put you in the Halloween mood are:

Candy and Costumes

1,177

Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2009, employing 34,252 people. California led the nation in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with 135, followed by Pennsylvania, with 111.

409

Number of U.S. establishments that manufactured non-chocolate confectionary products in 2009. These establishments employed 16,974 people. California led the nation in this category, with 45 establishments.

24.7 pounds

Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2010.

1,719

Number of costume rental and formal wear establishments across the nation in 2009.

posted October 31, 2011 6:00 am edt