GITNUXREPORT 2025

Halloween Candy Statistics

Americans consume 7,000 calories of Halloween candy annually, spending $25.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average American consumes approximately 7,000 calories from Halloween candy during the entire Halloween season

Statistic 2

About 90 million pounds of candy are sold across the U.S. during the Halloween season

Statistic 3

The most popular Halloween candy in the United States is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

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On average, children receive about 3,500 calories worth of candy on Halloween night

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The top three candies given out on Halloween are Reese’s, M&Ms, and Skittles

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Candy corn has been a Halloween staple since the 1880s

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65% of parents say their children prefer chocolate over other types of candy

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The average candy bar contains around 200 calories, with some popular options exceeding 250 calories

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75% of parents say they hide their kids’ Halloween candy from them

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The most commonly banned Halloween candy at school parties is candy with nuts, due to allergy concerns

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Pumpkin-shaped candies are among the top 10 Halloween candies sold in October

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Nearly 80% of people prefer chocolate-based candies over non-chocolate candies for Halloween

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The average number of pieces of candy handed out per household is approximately 60

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60% of consumers say they are more likely to buy candy brands they recognize during Halloween season

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About 50% of Trick-or-Treaters prefer candies that are individually wrapped for safety reasons

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The top five Halloween candies sold in 2023 included Reese’s, M&Ms, Skittles, Snickers, and Kit Kat

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The most popular non-candy Halloween treat given out is mini toys or stickers, with over 50% of households handing these out

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The average adult consumes about 30% of the Halloween candy in a household, especially in the weeks following trick-or-treating

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55% of candy purchased for Halloween is chocolate-based, reflecting a preference trend

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62% of households say they buy only candy that they like to eat themselves to avoid waste

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The average American child receives about 4,000 pieces of candy over the Halloween season

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Halloween sales account for approximately 10% of total annual candy sales in the U.S.

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Nearly 70% of Americans plan to buy Halloween candy in 2023

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The average household spends about $25 on Halloween candy

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40% of homeowners pass out candy to Trick-or-Treaters, while others prefer to participate in themed activities

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Candy sales spike by approximately 50% during the week before Halloween

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Approximately 22 million pounds of chocolate are sold in the two weeks leading up to Halloween

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20% of families plan to skip handing out candy altogether in 2023 due to safety concerns

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85% of parents believe Halloween is a fun holiday for their children, and 75% think it is a great way to build community

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In 2023, the most popular Halloween costume for adults was a witch, followed by vampire and zombie

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About 30% of people decorate their homes with Halloween-themed lights

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The Dalmatian costume was among the top 10 most popular dog costumes in 2023, reflecting a trend in pet costumes

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The second most popular costume theme after superheroes is horror characters, according to a 2023 survey

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About 81% of Americans decorate their homes with Halloween-themed items such as spiders, skeletons, and pumpkins

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67% of parents dress up with their children for Halloween, often coordinating costumes

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Halloween-themed merchandise sales, including costumes and decorations, are projected to reach $3.4 billion in 2023

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The most popular Halloween costume for pets in 2023 was a pumpkin, followed by a hotdog and superhero

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The average amount of money spent on Halloween costumes per person in 2023 was $34.50

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78% of Americans decorate their yards with Halloween-themed decorations, with pumpkins and ghosts being the most common

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The majority of Halloween costumes (around 65%) are purchased locally, with the rest bought online

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The popularity of DIY Halloween costumes has increased by 25% in the last five years, reflecting a trend toward creativity and cost-saving

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The largest Halloween costume gathering was in the United States with over 250,000 participants in 2022

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The percentage of children participating in Halloween events has increased to 66% in 2023 from 62% in 2019

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The percentage of households that say they host haunted houses or similar events has increased to 35% in 2023, from 25% in 2019

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The total number of Halloween parties held in the U.S. is estimated at over 55,000 annually

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The most common reason for children not going trick-or-treating is safety concerns, cited by 52% of parents

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The average number of Trick-or-Treaters per household has decreased from 40 in 2000 to about 30 in 2023

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The most common age group for trick-or-treaters is 5-9 years old

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In 2022, approximately 45 million children participated in Trick-or-Treating in the U.S.

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The average percentage of children who trick-or-treat in urban areas is slightly higher at 85% compared to 75% in rural areas

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The number of Halloween-themed social media posts peaks on October 31st, with over 1 million tagged posts on Instagram alone

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The average number of years children have been trick-or-treating is approximately 4 years, according to a survey by Halloween Central

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Key Highlights

The average American consumes approximately 7,000 calories from Halloween candy during the entire Halloween season
About 90 million pounds of candy are sold across the U.S. during the Halloween season
The most popular Halloween candy in the United States is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Halloween sales account for approximately 10% of total annual candy sales in the U.S.
On average, children receive about 3,500 calories worth of candy on Halloween night
The top three candies given out on Halloween are Reese’s, M&Ms, and Skittles
Nearly 70% of Americans plan to buy Halloween candy in 2023
Candy corn has been a Halloween staple since the 1880s
The average household spends about $25 on Halloween candy
65% of parents say their children prefer chocolate over other types of candy
The largest Halloween costume gathering was in the United States with over 250,000 participants in 2022
The average number of Trick-or-Treaters per household has decreased from 40 in 2000 to about 30 in 2023
40% of homeowners pass out candy to Trick-or-Treaters, while others prefer to participate in themed activities

Did you know that Americans indulge in around 7,000 calories from Halloween candy each season, with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups reigning as the most popular treat, amid a booming $3.4 billion Halloween merchandise market?

Candy and Treat Preferences and Consumption

The average American consumes approximately 7,000 calories from Halloween candy during the entire Halloween season
About 90 million pounds of candy are sold across the U.S. during the Halloween season
The most popular Halloween candy in the United States is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
On average, children receive about 3,500 calories worth of candy on Halloween night
The top three candies given out on Halloween are Reese’s, M&Ms, and Skittles
Candy corn has been a Halloween staple since the 1880s
65% of parents say their children prefer chocolate over other types of candy
The average candy bar contains around 200 calories, with some popular options exceeding 250 calories
75% of parents say they hide their kids’ Halloween candy from them
The most commonly banned Halloween candy at school parties is candy with nuts, due to allergy concerns
Pumpkin-shaped candies are among the top 10 Halloween candies sold in October
Nearly 80% of people prefer chocolate-based candies over non-chocolate candies for Halloween
The average number of pieces of candy handed out per household is approximately 60
60% of consumers say they are more likely to buy candy brands they recognize during Halloween season
About 50% of Trick-or-Treaters prefer candies that are individually wrapped for safety reasons
The top five Halloween candies sold in 2023 included Reese’s, M&Ms, Skittles, Snickers, and Kit Kat
The most popular non-candy Halloween treat given out is mini toys or stickers, with over 50% of households handing these out
The average adult consumes about 30% of the Halloween candy in a household, especially in the weeks following trick-or-treating
55% of candy purchased for Halloween is chocolate-based, reflecting a preference trend
62% of households say they buy only candy that they like to eat themselves to avoid waste
The average American child receives about 4,000 pieces of candy over the Halloween season

Candy and Treat Preferences and Consumption Interpretation

Halloween in America is essentially a nationwide candy carnival—where Reese’s reigns supreme, kids amass around 7,000 calories, and parents secretly strategize to hide enough chocolate to survive until next year, all while indulging in a tradition that has sweetly persisted since the 1880s.

Halloween Consumer Spending and Behavior

Halloween sales account for approximately 10% of total annual candy sales in the U.S.
Nearly 70% of Americans plan to buy Halloween candy in 2023
The average household spends about $25 on Halloween candy
40% of homeowners pass out candy to Trick-or-Treaters, while others prefer to participate in themed activities
Candy sales spike by approximately 50% during the week before Halloween
Approximately 22 million pounds of chocolate are sold in the two weeks leading up to Halloween
20% of families plan to skip handing out candy altogether in 2023 due to safety concerns
85% of parents believe Halloween is a fun holiday for their children, and 75% think it is a great way to build community

Halloween Consumer Spending and Behavior Interpretation

As Halloween transforms into a nationwide candy frenzy—where 70% of Americans plan to indulge, households spend around $25 on treats, and nearly a quarter opt for safer festivities—it's clear that while candy sales spike and community spirit thrives, a spooky 20% of families are ghosting trick-or-treating, reminding us that even in the sweetest season, safety and fun must go hand in hand.

Halloween Costumes and Decorations

In 2023, the most popular Halloween costume for adults was a witch, followed by vampire and zombie
About 30% of people decorate their homes with Halloween-themed lights
The Dalmatian costume was among the top 10 most popular dog costumes in 2023, reflecting a trend in pet costumes
The second most popular costume theme after superheroes is horror characters, according to a 2023 survey
About 81% of Americans decorate their homes with Halloween-themed items such as spiders, skeletons, and pumpkins
67% of parents dress up with their children for Halloween, often coordinating costumes
Halloween-themed merchandise sales, including costumes and decorations, are projected to reach $3.4 billion in 2023
The most popular Halloween costume for pets in 2023 was a pumpkin, followed by a hotdog and superhero
The average amount of money spent on Halloween costumes per person in 2023 was $34.50
78% of Americans decorate their yards with Halloween-themed decorations, with pumpkins and ghosts being the most common
The majority of Halloween costumes (around 65%) are purchased locally, with the rest bought online
The popularity of DIY Halloween costumes has increased by 25% in the last five years, reflecting a trend toward creativity and cost-saving

Halloween Costumes and Decorations Interpretation

In 2023, Americans showed their spooky side with witches, vampires, and zombies topping costume charts, while their homes glowed with eerie lights and DIY creativity spooked up a $3.4 billion Halloween market—proof that whether dressing up with family, decorating yards, or pet paw-sing as a pumpkin or hotdog, we remain committed to celebrating with style, silliness, and a splash of supernatural savings.

Halloween Events and Social Activities

The largest Halloween costume gathering was in the United States with over 250,000 participants in 2022
The percentage of children participating in Halloween events has increased to 66% in 2023 from 62% in 2019
The percentage of households that say they host haunted houses or similar events has increased to 35% in 2023, from 25% in 2019
The total number of Halloween parties held in the U.S. is estimated at over 55,000 annually
The most common reason for children not going trick-or-treating is safety concerns, cited by 52% of parents

Halloween Events and Social Activities Interpretation

With over 250,000 in costume parades and 66% of kids donning costumes—up from 62% in 2019—America’s love for Halloween is growing, even as safety concerns keep more parents within the haunted house, illustrating a festive nation that’s balancing spooky fun with caution.

Halloween Trends and Demographics

The average number of Trick-or-Treaters per household has decreased from 40 in 2000 to about 30 in 2023
The most common age group for trick-or-treaters is 5-9 years old
In 2022, approximately 45 million children participated in Trick-or-Treating in the U.S.
The average percentage of children who trick-or-treat in urban areas is slightly higher at 85% compared to 75% in rural areas
The number of Halloween-themed social media posts peaks on October 31st, with over 1 million tagged posts on Instagram alone
The average number of years children have been trick-or-treating is approximately 4 years, according to a survey by Halloween Central

Halloween Trends and Demographics Interpretation

As Halloween enthusiasm wanes slightly and childhood costumes age into digital ghosts, the evolving statistics reveal a spirited yet steadily shrinking tradition—proof that while trick-or-treating has become a digital spectacle chiefly among 5- to 9-year-olds, the appetite for candy and community remains firmly rooted in the urban pulse, even as household visits wane from 40 to 30.