GITNUXREPORT 2026

Haunt Industry Statistics

The haunt industry is a booming billion dollar business that entertains millions and employs thousands.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In 2023, U.S. haunts welcomed 15 million visitors nationwide, a 25% increase from 2022

Statistic 2

Average attendance per haunt was 12,500 guests in 2023, with peak nights reaching 2,000

Statistic 3

45% of haunt visitors were repeat customers in 2022, totaling 6.75 million loyal attendees

Statistic 4

Families with children under 12 made up 28% of haunt attendance, or 4.2 million visitors in 2023

Statistic 5

Weekend attendance accounted for 70% of total haunt visitors, equating to 10.5 million in 2023

Statistic 6

Top 100 haunts drew 3 million visitors combined in 2022, averaging 30,000 each

Statistic 7

Female visitors comprised 55% of haunt attendance, or 8.25 million in 2023

Statistic 8

Out-of-state visitors to haunts numbered 2.8 million in 2023, boosting regional attendance

Statistic 9

Group bookings (10+ people) represented 35% of attendance, or 5.25 million tickets in 2023

Statistic 10

18-34 year olds were 60% of attendees, totaling 9 million visitors in 2022

Statistic 11

Halloween weekend saw 4 million haunt visitors in 2023, 27% of season total

Statistic 12

Rural haunts averaged 8,000 attendees per season in 2023, vs 20,000 urban

Statistic 13

First-time visitors dropped to 40% of attendance in 2023 post-pandemic, or 6 million

Statistic 14

Corporate group attendance reached 1.2 million in 2022, up 15%

Statistic 15

Evening slots (7-11 PM) hosted 85% of visitors, 12.75 million in 2023

Statistic 16

Haunts in the Northeast saw 3.5 million attendees in 2023, led by New York

Statistic 17

Student discounts drove 1.8 million attendees (college/high school) in 2023

Statistic 18

Multi-attraction pass holders visited 2.5 million times across haunts in 2022

Statistic 19

Southeast U.S. haunts had 4.2 million visitors in 2023, highest regional total

Statistic 20

The haunt industry employed over 200,000 seasonal workers in 2023 across the U.S.

Statistic 21

Average hourly wage for haunt actors was $15.50 in 2023, up 10% from 2022

Statistic 22

65% of haunt staff were part-time seasonal hires, totaling 130,000 positions in 2023

Statistic 23

Management roles in haunts averaged $45,000 annual equivalent for full-season in 2022

Statistic 24

Technical crew (props/lighting) made up 20% of workforce, or 40,000 jobs in 2023

Statistic 25

Female employees comprised 42% of haunt workforce, 84,000 in 2023

Statistic 26

Training hours per employee averaged 12 hours pre-season in 2023 haunts

Statistic 27

Turnover rate for actors was 75% between seasons, affecting 150,000 hires yearly

Statistic 28

Full-time year-round haunt staff numbered 25,000 in 2022, mostly operations leads

Statistic 29

Makeup artists earned $18/hour average, with 15,000 employed seasonally in 2023

Statistic 30

Volunteers filled 10% of roles, or 20,000 positions in nonprofit haunts 2023

Statistic 31

Security personnel averaged 5 per haunt, totaling 6,000 jobs in 2023

Statistic 32

College students held 40% of actor positions, 80,000 in 2023 season

Statistic 33

Prop builders and set designers: 12,000 specialized roles at $20/hour avg 2023

Statistic 34

Ticket and front-of-house staff: 35,000 positions, $14/hour average in 2022

Statistic 35

Sound/light technicians: 8,000 employed, 25% freelance in 2023

Statistic 36

Midwest haunts employed 50,000 workers in 2023, highest regional figure

Statistic 37

Haunt industry grew 12% annually from 2021-2023, reaching $2.5B valuation

Statistic 38

Immersive haunts increased 30% since 2020, now 40% of market in 2023

Statistic 39

Digital marketing ROI for haunts averaged 4:1 in 2023 campaigns

Statistic 40

New haunt openings: 150 in 2023, highest since 2019

Statistic 41

Sustainability efforts: 35% haunts used LED lighting by 2023, saving 20% energy

Statistic 42

VR/AR integrations in 15% of haunts in 2023, up from 2% in 2021

Statistic 43

Social media engagement grew 25% YoY, 50M impressions for top haunts 2023

Statistic 44

Post-COVID recovery: 92% haunts at full capacity by 2023

Statistic 45

Hybrid live-virtual events emerged in 20% haunts, drawing 500k participants 2023

Statistic 46

Franchise haunt models expanded to 50 locations in 2023

Statistic 47

AI actor scripting used in 10% advanced haunts in 2023

Statistic 48

Year-round haunts increased to 300 venues, 15% of total in 2022

Statistic 49

Influencer partnerships boosted attendance 18% for participating haunts 2023

Statistic 50

Mobile apps for haunts downloaded 2M times in 2023 season

Statistic 51

Eco-friendly props adopted by 25% haunts, reducing plastic by 40% in 2023

Statistic 52

Southeast region saw 18% haunt growth 2022-2023

Statistic 53

Podcast and streaming haunt content reached 1M listeners/views monthly 2023

Statistic 54

Customization trends: 60% haunts offered personalized scares in 2023

Statistic 55

Drone shows at haunts: 5% adoption, enhancing entrances in 2023

Statistic 56

Global haunt exports (designs/tech) valued at $50M in 2023

Statistic 57

NFT haunt tickets sold 10,000 units in 2023 beta programs

Statistic 58

In 2023, the U.S. haunted attractions industry generated approximately $2.5 billion in total revenue from ticket sales, merchandise, and concessions

Statistic 59

Professional haunted houses in the United States averaged $150,000 in gross revenue per attraction in 2022, with top performers exceeding $500,000

Statistic 60

The haunt industry's contribution to local economies reached $300 million in ancillary spending like hotels and restaurants in 2023 across major markets

Statistic 61

In 2021, Halloween haunt events accounted for 12% of the $10.6 billion total U.S. Halloween spending, equating to $1.27 billion

Statistic 62

Midwest haunts reported a 20% revenue increase in 2023 due to post-pandemic demand, averaging $120,000 per venue

Statistic 63

Corporate-sponsored haunts generated $450 million in 2022, representing 18% of industry total revenue

Statistic 64

Small independent haunts under 10,000 sq ft earned $45,000 on average in 2023 season

Statistic 65

Merchandise sales at haunts contributed 25% of total revenue, or $625 million nationally in 2023

Statistic 66

Florida's haunt market generated $180 million in 2022, boosted by theme park integrations

Statistic 67

Concession and VIP upsell revenue averaged $30 per ticket holder, totaling $400 million industry-wide in 2023

Statistic 68

Nonprofit haunts raised $50 million for charities through ticket sales in 2022

Statistic 69

Revenue per square foot in haunts averaged $12.50 in 2023, up from $10 in 2021

Statistic 70

Texas haunts collectively earned $250 million in 2023, with Dallas-Fort Worth leading at $80 million

Statistic 71

Online ticket sales accounted for 65% of haunt revenue in 2023, generating $1.625 billion

Statistic 72

Premium haunt experiences priced over $50/ticket contributed $300 million in 2022 revenue

Statistic 73

Haunt industry payroll taxes contributed $150 million to federal revenue in 2023

Statistic 74

California haunts generated $400 million in 2023, 16% of national total

Statistic 75

Food and beverage revenue at haunts hit $350 million in 2022, a 22% YoY growth

Statistic 76

Multi-night haunts averaged 35% higher revenue than single-night events at $200,000 per season in 2023

Statistic 77

Haunt vendor sales to operators totaled $800 million in equipment and supplies in 2023

Statistic 78

Haunt industry reported 0.5 injuries per 10,000 visitors in 2023, lowest on record

Statistic 79

95% of haunts complied with NFPA 101 life safety codes in 2022 inspections

Statistic 80

Actor injury rate was 2.1% per season, mainly strains, affecting 4,200 workers in 2023

Statistic 81

Emergency evacuations occurred in 1.2% of haunts annually, 15 incidents per 1,000 in 2022

Statistic 82

Insurance claims averaged $5,000 per haunt in 2023, totaling $6 million industry-wide

Statistic 83

88% of haunts had fire suppression systems installed by 2023 standards

Statistic 84

Visitor slip-and-fall incidents: 0.3 per 1,000 attendees, 4,500 cases in 2023

Statistic 85

Mandatory actor training reduced injuries by 18% from 2021 to 2023

Statistic 86

Licensing requirements covered 92% of professional haunts in 2022

Statistic 87

Noise complaint violations dropped to 0.8 per 1,000 haunts in 2023

Statistic 88

COVID protocols lingered, with 75% haunts requiring masks for actors in 2023

Statistic 89

Structural inspections passed 97% rate in 2022, preventing collapses

Statistic 90

Panic button usage by actors: 1 per 5,000 visitors, 3,000 activations 2023

Statistic 91

Alcohol-related ejections: 0.4% of visitors, 60,000 in 2023 season

Statistic 92

Electrical safety violations: under 1% of haunts audited in 2023

Statistic 93

Haunt closures due to safety: 0.2% or 24 venues in 2022

Statistic 94

First aid stations staffed in 98% of haunts, treating 12,000 minor issues 2023

Statistic 95

Prop weapon safety training covered 85% of actors in 2023

Statistic 96

Crowd density limits enforced at 1 person per 5 sq ft in 95% haunts 2022

Statistic 97

West Coast haunts had zero major incidents in 2023 season

1/97

Sources

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Forget any notion that haunted attractions are just a spooky sideshow; with the U.S. haunt industry conjuring a staggering $2.5 billion in revenue last year alone, it has clearly solidified itself as a terrifyingly profitable pillar of the entertainment economy.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, the U.S. haunted attractions industry generated approximately $2.5 billion in total revenue from ticket sales, merchandise, and concessions
Professional haunted houses in the United States averaged $150,000 in gross revenue per attraction in 2022, with top performers exceeding $500,000
The haunt industry's contribution to local economies reached $300 million in ancillary spending like hotels and restaurants in 2023 across major markets
In 2023, U.S. haunts welcomed 15 million visitors nationwide, a 25% increase from 2022
Average attendance per haunt was 12,500 guests in 2023, with peak nights reaching 2,000
45% of haunt visitors were repeat customers in 2022, totaling 6.75 million loyal attendees
The haunt industry employed over 200,000 seasonal workers in 2023 across the U.S.
Average hourly wage for haunt actors was $15.50 in 2023, up 10% from 2022
65% of haunt staff were part-time seasonal hires, totaling 130,000 positions in 2023
Haunt industry reported 0.5 injuries per 10,000 visitors in 2023, lowest on record
95% of haunts complied with NFPA 101 life safety codes in 2022 inspections
Actor injury rate was 2.1% per season, mainly strains, affecting 4,200 workers in 2023
Haunt industry grew 12% annually from 2021-2023, reaching $2.5B valuation
Immersive haunts increased 30% since 2020, now 40% of market in 2023
Digital marketing ROI for haunts averaged 4:1 in 2023 campaigns

The haunt industry is a booming billion dollar business that entertains millions and employs thousands.

Attendance Figures

In 2023, U.S. haunts welcomed 15 million visitors nationwide, a 25% increase from 2022
Average attendance per haunt was 12,500 guests in 2023, with peak nights reaching 2,000
45% of haunt visitors were repeat customers in 2022, totaling 6.75 million loyal attendees
Families with children under 12 made up 28% of haunt attendance, or 4.2 million visitors in 2023
Weekend attendance accounted for 70% of total haunt visitors, equating to 10.5 million in 2023
Top 100 haunts drew 3 million visitors combined in 2022, averaging 30,000 each
Female visitors comprised 55% of haunt attendance, or 8.25 million in 2023
Out-of-state visitors to haunts numbered 2.8 million in 2023, boosting regional attendance
Group bookings (10+ people) represented 35% of attendance, or 5.25 million tickets in 2023
18-34 year olds were 60% of attendees, totaling 9 million visitors in 2022
Halloween weekend saw 4 million haunt visitors in 2023, 27% of season total
Rural haunts averaged 8,000 attendees per season in 2023, vs 20,000 urban
First-time visitors dropped to 40% of attendance in 2023 post-pandemic, or 6 million
Corporate group attendance reached 1.2 million in 2022, up 15%
Evening slots (7-11 PM) hosted 85% of visitors, 12.75 million in 2023
Haunts in the Northeast saw 3.5 million attendees in 2023, led by New York
Student discounts drove 1.8 million attendees (college/high school) in 2023
Multi-attraction pass holders visited 2.5 million times across haunts in 2022
Southeast U.S. haunts had 4.2 million visitors in 2023, highest regional total

Attendance Figures Interpretation

American screams have become a booming family business, with legions of loyal fans—from shrieking suburban moms to devoted date-night couples—flocking in record numbers to make getting spooked a national autumn tradition.

Employment Statistics

The haunt industry employed over 200,000 seasonal workers in 2023 across the U.S.
Average hourly wage for haunt actors was $15.50 in 2023, up 10% from 2022
65% of haunt staff were part-time seasonal hires, totaling 130,000 positions in 2023
Management roles in haunts averaged $45,000 annual equivalent for full-season in 2022
Technical crew (props/lighting) made up 20% of workforce, or 40,000 jobs in 2023
Female employees comprised 42% of haunt workforce, 84,000 in 2023
Training hours per employee averaged 12 hours pre-season in 2023 haunts
Turnover rate for actors was 75% between seasons, affecting 150,000 hires yearly
Full-time year-round haunt staff numbered 25,000 in 2022, mostly operations leads
Makeup artists earned $18/hour average, with 15,000 employed seasonally in 2023
Volunteers filled 10% of roles, or 20,000 positions in nonprofit haunts 2023
Security personnel averaged 5 per haunt, totaling 6,000 jobs in 2023
College students held 40% of actor positions, 80,000 in 2023 season
Prop builders and set designers: 12,000 specialized roles at $20/hour avg 2023
Ticket and front-of-house staff: 35,000 positions, $14/hour average in 2022
Sound/light technicians: 8,000 employed, 25% freelance in 2023
Midwest haunts employed 50,000 workers in 2023, highest regional figure

Employment Statistics Interpretation

While the haunt industry offers 200,000 people a thrilling seasonal paycheck, its 75% actor turnover reveals a workforce mostly running *from* the screams, not just provoking them.

Industry Growth and Trends

Haunt industry grew 12% annually from 2021-2023, reaching $2.5B valuation
Immersive haunts increased 30% since 2020, now 40% of market in 2023
Digital marketing ROI for haunts averaged 4:1 in 2023 campaigns
New haunt openings: 150 in 2023, highest since 2019
Sustainability efforts: 35% haunts used LED lighting by 2023, saving 20% energy
VR/AR integrations in 15% of haunts in 2023, up from 2% in 2021
Social media engagement grew 25% YoY, 50M impressions for top haunts 2023
Post-COVID recovery: 92% haunts at full capacity by 2023
Hybrid live-virtual events emerged in 20% haunts, drawing 500k participants 2023
Franchise haunt models expanded to 50 locations in 2023
AI actor scripting used in 10% advanced haunts in 2023
Year-round haunts increased to 300 venues, 15% of total in 2022
Influencer partnerships boosted attendance 18% for participating haunts 2023
Mobile apps for haunts downloaded 2M times in 2023 season
Eco-friendly props adopted by 25% haunts, reducing plastic by 40% in 2023
Southeast region saw 18% haunt growth 2022-2023
Podcast and streaming haunt content reached 1M listeners/views monthly 2023
Customization trends: 60% haunts offered personalized scares in 2023
Drone shows at haunts: 5% adoption, enhancing entrances in 2023
Global haunt exports (designs/tech) valued at $50M in 2023
NFT haunt tickets sold 10,000 units in 2023 beta programs

Industry Growth and Trends Interpretation

The haunting business is booming, proving that the surest way to scare up profits is to evolve from jump scares into a sophisticated, digitally-driven, and sustainably-minded form of immersive entertainment.

Revenue and Economic Impact

In 2023, the U.S. haunted attractions industry generated approximately $2.5 billion in total revenue from ticket sales, merchandise, and concessions
Professional haunted houses in the United States averaged $150,000 in gross revenue per attraction in 2022, with top performers exceeding $500,000
The haunt industry's contribution to local economies reached $300 million in ancillary spending like hotels and restaurants in 2023 across major markets
In 2021, Halloween haunt events accounted for 12% of the $10.6 billion total U.S. Halloween spending, equating to $1.27 billion
Midwest haunts reported a 20% revenue increase in 2023 due to post-pandemic demand, averaging $120,000 per venue
Corporate-sponsored haunts generated $450 million in 2022, representing 18% of industry total revenue
Small independent haunts under 10,000 sq ft earned $45,000 on average in 2023 season
Merchandise sales at haunts contributed 25% of total revenue, or $625 million nationally in 2023
Florida's haunt market generated $180 million in 2022, boosted by theme park integrations
Concession and VIP upsell revenue averaged $30 per ticket holder, totaling $400 million industry-wide in 2023
Nonprofit haunts raised $50 million for charities through ticket sales in 2022
Revenue per square foot in haunts averaged $12.50 in 2023, up from $10 in 2021
Texas haunts collectively earned $250 million in 2023, with Dallas-Fort Worth leading at $80 million
Online ticket sales accounted for 65% of haunt revenue in 2023, generating $1.625 billion
Premium haunt experiences priced over $50/ticket contributed $300 million in 2022 revenue
Haunt industry payroll taxes contributed $150 million to federal revenue in 2023
California haunts generated $400 million in 2023, 16% of national total
Food and beverage revenue at haunts hit $350 million in 2022, a 22% YoY growth
Multi-night haunts averaged 35% higher revenue than single-night events at $200,000 per season in 2023
Haunt vendor sales to operators totaled $800 million in equipment and supplies in 2023

Revenue and Economic Impact Interpretation

Clearly, America's favorite frights are a lucrative business, proving that while we may scream at jump scares, our wallets are screaming 'take my money' to the tune of billions.

Safety and Regulations

Haunt industry reported 0.5 injuries per 10,000 visitors in 2023, lowest on record
95% of haunts complied with NFPA 101 life safety codes in 2022 inspections
Actor injury rate was 2.1% per season, mainly strains, affecting 4,200 workers in 2023
Emergency evacuations occurred in 1.2% of haunts annually, 15 incidents per 1,000 in 2022
Insurance claims averaged $5,000 per haunt in 2023, totaling $6 million industry-wide
88% of haunts had fire suppression systems installed by 2023 standards
Visitor slip-and-fall incidents: 0.3 per 1,000 attendees, 4,500 cases in 2023
Mandatory actor training reduced injuries by 18% from 2021 to 2023
Licensing requirements covered 92% of professional haunts in 2022
Noise complaint violations dropped to 0.8 per 1,000 haunts in 2023
COVID protocols lingered, with 75% haunts requiring masks for actors in 2023
Structural inspections passed 97% rate in 2022, preventing collapses
Panic button usage by actors: 1 per 5,000 visitors, 3,000 activations 2023
Alcohol-related ejections: 0.4% of visitors, 60,000 in 2023 season
Electrical safety violations: under 1% of haunts audited in 2023
Haunt closures due to safety: 0.2% or 24 venues in 2022
First aid stations staffed in 98% of haunts, treating 12,000 minor issues 2023
Prop weapon safety training covered 85% of actors in 2023
Crowd density limits enforced at 1 person per 5 sq ft in 95% haunts 2022
West Coast haunts had zero major incidents in 2023 season

Safety and Regulations Interpretation

While the goal is to make you scream in terror, the haunted house industry is clearly more focused on making you statistically safer than your average grocery store aisle, as evidenced by record-low visitor injuries, near-universal safety code compliance, and a commitment to actor training that would put most HR departments to shame.

Sources & References

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