Haunt attractions span communities across the United States, drawing millions of visitors each fall. We’ll look at how attendance and visitor mix are shifting, and how the industry’s growth is reflected in new openings and immersive formats. We also track the human side—seasonal staffing, wages, and life-safety compliance—along with risk trends such as injuries and evacuations.
Key Takeaways
- 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 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
- 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
- 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
In 2023, US haunts drew 15 million visitors, hit record growth, and ran with improved safety.
Related reading
01 · Category
Attendance Figures19 stats
01
In 2023, U.S. haunts welcomed 15 million visitors nationwide, a 25% increase from 2022
02
Average attendance per haunt was 12,500 guests in 2023, with peak nights reaching 2,000
03
45% of haunt visitors were repeat customers in 2022, totaling 6.75 million loyal attendees
04
Families with children under 12 made up 28% of haunt attendance, or 4.2 million visitors in 2023
05
Weekend attendance accounted for 70% of total haunt visitors, equating to 10.5 million in 2023
06
Top 100 haunts drew 3 million visitors combined in 2022, averaging 30,000 each
07
Female visitors comprised 55% of haunt attendance, or 8.25 million in 2023
08
Out-of-state visitors to haunts numbered 2.8 million in 2023, boosting regional attendance
09
Group bookings (10+ people) represented 35% of attendance, or 5.25 million tickets in 2023
10
18-34 year olds were 60% of attendees, totaling 9 million visitors in 2022
11
Halloween weekend saw 4 million haunt visitors in 2023, 27% of season total
12
Rural haunts averaged 8,000 attendees per season in 2023, vs 20,000 urban
13
First-time visitors dropped to 40% of attendance in 2023 post-pandemic, or 6 million
14
Corporate group attendance reached 1.2 million in 2022, up 15%
15
Evening slots (7-11 PM) hosted 85% of visitors, 12.75 million in 2023
16
Haunts in the Northeast saw 3.5 million attendees in 2023, led by New York
17
Student discounts drove 1.8 million attendees (college/high school) in 2023
18
Multi-attraction pass holders visited 2.5 million times across haunts in 2022
19
Southeast U.S. haunts had 4.2 million visitors in 2023, highest regional total
Interpretation
Attendance Figures Interpretation
In the Attendance Figures landscape, U.S. haunts grew to 15 million visitors in 2023 with weekend crowds driving 10.5 million of that total, showing that demand is not only rising but is heavily concentrated on peak nights.
02 · Category
Employment Statistics17 stats
01
The haunt industry employed over 200,000 seasonal workers in 2023 across the U.S.
02
Average hourly wage for haunt actors was $15.50in 2023, up 10% from 2022
03
65% of haunt staff were part-time seasonal hires, totaling 130,000 positions in 2023
04
Management roles in haunts averaged $45,000annual equivalent for full-season in 2022
05
Technical crew (props/lighting) made up 20% of workforce, or 40,000 jobs in 2023
06
Female employees comprised 42% of haunt workforce, 84,000 in 2023
07
Training hours per employee averaged 12 hours pre-season in 2023 haunts
08
Turnover rate for actors was 75% between seasons, affecting 150,000 hires yearly
09
Full-time year-round haunt staff numbered 25,000 in 2022, mostly operations leads
10
Makeup artists earned $18/hour average, with 15,000 employed seasonally in 2023
11
Volunteers filled 10% of roles, or 20,000 positions in nonprofit haunts 2023
12
Security personnel averaged 5 per haunt, totaling 6,000 jobs in 2023
13
College students held 40% of actor positions, 80,000 in 2023 season
14
Prop builders and set designers: 12,000 specialized roles at $20/hour avg 2023
15
Ticket and front-of-house staff: 35,000 positions, $14/hour average in 2022
16
Sound/light technicians: 8,000 employed, 25% freelance in 2023
17
Midwest haunts employed 50,000 workers in 2023, highest regional figure
Interpretation
Employment Statistics Interpretation
Employment in the U.S. haunt industry relied heavily on seasonal labor, with over 200,000 seasonal workers in 2023 and 65% of staff being part time seasonal hires, reaching 130,000 positions while the average hourly wage rose to $15.50 in 2023.
03 · Category
Industry Growth And Trends21 stats
01
Haunt industry grew 12% annually from 2021-2023, reaching $2.5B valuation
02
Immersive haunts increased 30% since 2020, now 40% of market in 2023
03
Digital marketing ROI for haunts averaged 4:1 in 2023 campaigns
04
New haunt openings: 150 in 2023, highest since 2019
05
Sustainability efforts: 35% haunts used LED lighting by 2023, saving 20% energy
06
VR/AR integrations in 15% of haunts in 2023, up from 2% in 2021
07
Social media engagement grew 25% YoY, 50M impressions for top haunts 2023
08
Post-COVID recovery: 92% haunts at full capacity by 2023
09
Hybrid live-virtual events emerged in 20% haunts, drawing 500k participants 2023
10
Franchise haunt models expanded to 50 locations in 2023
11
AI actor scripting used in 10% advanced haunts in 2023
12
Year-round haunts increased to 300 venues, 15% of total in 2022
13
Influencer partnerships boosted attendance 18% for participating haunts 2023
14
Mobile apps for haunts downloaded 2M times in 2023 season
15
Eco-friendly props adopted by 25% haunts, reducing plastic by 40% in 2023
16
Southeast region saw 18% haunt growth 2022-2023
17
Podcast and streaming haunt content reached 1M listeners/views monthly 2023
18
Customization trends: 60% haunts offered personalized scares in 2023
19
Drone shows at haunts: 5% adoption, enhancing entrances in 2023
20
Global haunt exports (designs/tech) valued at $50M in 2023
21
NFT haunt tickets sold 10,000 units in 2023 beta programs
Interpretation
Industry Growth And Trends Interpretation
From 2021 to 2023, the haunt industry expanded 12% per year to a $2.5B valuation, and immersive experiences surged 30% since 2020 to make up 40% of the 2023 market, showing strong industry growth driven by increasingly high-tech, immersive demand.
More related reading
04 · Category
Revenue And Economic Impact20 stats
01
In 2023, the U.S. haunted attractions industry generated approximately $2.5 billion in total revenue from ticket sales, merchandise, and concessions
02
Professional haunted houses in the United States averaged $150,000in gross revenue per attraction in 2022, with top performers exceeding $500,000
03
The haunt industry's contribution to local economies reached $300 million in ancillary spending like hotels and restaurants in 2023 across major markets
04
In 2021, Halloween haunt events accounted for 12% of the $10.6 billion total U.S. Halloween spending, equating to $1.27 billion
05
Midwest haunts reported a 20% revenue increase in 2023 due to post-pandemic demand, averaging $120,000 per venue
06
Corporate-sponsored haunts generated $450 million in 2022, representing 18% of industry total revenue
07
Small independent haunts under 10,000 sq ft earned $45,000on average in 2023 season
08
Merchandise sales at haunts contributed 25% of total revenue, or $625 million nationally in 2023
09
Florida's haunt market generated $180 million in 2022, boosted by theme park integrations
10
Concession and VIP upsell revenue averaged $30per ticket holder, totaling $400 million industry-wide in 2023
11
Nonprofit haunts raised $50 million for charities through ticket sales in 2022
12
Revenue per square foot in haunts averaged $12.50in 2023, up from $10 in 2021
13
Texas haunts collectively earned $250 million in 2023, with Dallas-Fort Worth leading at $80 million
14
Online ticket sales accounted for 65% of haunt revenue in 2023, generating $1.625 billion
15
Premium haunt experiences priced over $50/ticket contributed $300 million in 2022 revenue
16
Haunt industry payroll taxes contributed $150 million to federal revenue in 2023
17
California haunts generated $400 million in 2023, 16% of national total
18
Food and beverage revenue at haunts hit $350 million in 2022, a 22% YoY growth
19
Multi-night haunts averaged 35% higher revenue than single-night events at $200,000 per season in 2023
20
Haunt vendor sales to operators totaled $800 million in equipment and supplies in 2023
Interpretation
Revenue And Economic Impact Interpretation
In 2023, the U.S. haunted attractions industry pulled in about $2.5 billion in revenue while adding roughly $300 million in local ancillary spending, showing that Halloween haunt businesses drive meaningful direct earnings and broader economic impact beyond ticket sales.
05 · Category
Safety And Regulations20 stats
01
Haunt industry reported 0.5 injuries per 10,000 visitors in 2023, lowest on record
02
95% of haunts complied with NFPA 101 life safety codes in 2022 inspections
03
Actor injury rate was 2.1% per season, mainly strains, affecting 4,200 workers in 2023
04
Emergency evacuations occurred in 1.2% of haunts annually, 15 incidents per 1,000 in 2022
05
Insurance claims averaged $5,000per haunt in 2023, totaling $6 million industry-wide
06
88% of haunts had fire suppression systems installed by 2023 standards
07
Visitor slip-and-fall incidents: 0.3 per 1,000 attendees, 4,500 cases in 2023
08
Mandatory actor training reduced injuries by 18% from 2021 to 2023
09
Licensing requirements covered 92% of professional haunts in 2022
10
Noise complaint violations dropped to 0.8 per 1,000 haunts in 2023
11
COVID protocols lingered, with 75% haunts requiring masks for actors in 2023
12
Structural inspections passed 97% rate in 2022, preventing collapses
13
Panic button usage by actors: 1 per 5,000 visitors, 3,000 activations 2023
14
Alcohol-related ejections: 0.4% of visitors, 60,000 in 2023 season
15
Electrical safety violations: under 1% of haunts audited in 2023
16
Haunt closures due to safety: 0.2% or 24 venues in 2022
17
First aid stations staffed in 98% of haunts, treating 12,000 minor issues 2023
18
Prop weapon safety training covered 85% of actors in 2023
19
Crowd density limits enforced at 1 person per 5 sq ft in 95% haunts 2022
20
West Coast haunts had zero major incidents in 2023 season
Interpretation
Safety And Regulations Interpretation
Safety and regulations appear to be steadily improving, with injury rates dropping to just 0.5 per 10,000 visitors in 2023 and compliance climbing to 95% with NFPA 101 life safety codes in 2022.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Catherine Wu. (2026, February 13). Haunt Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/haunt-industry-statistics
MLA
Catherine Wu. "Haunt Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/haunt-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Catherine Wu. 2026. "Haunt Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/haunt-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
91 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level