Halloween Candy By The Numbers

By Kim Moreau

From the amount of sweets found in most trick or treat bags to the billions (yes, billions) of candy corn kernels made each year, we look at some of the facts and figures that make All Hallows' Eve so much fun.


102: Classic Confection
The Hershey's Kiss was first introduced in 1907, making the chocolate morsels 102 years old!

Halloween Candy By The Numbers

1.5: The percentage estimated percentage of the U.S. population with a peanut allergy

Nervous about handing out candy bars with nuts to trick-or-treaters? According to the National Peanut Board, approximately 0.6 – 1.5% of the U.S. population has a peanut allergy, so chances are pretty slim that one will knock on your door.

Halloween Candy By The Numbers

9 billion: The number of candy corn kernels that arrive in stores each year
According to the National Confectioner's Association, 35 million pounds of these tri-colored treats are produced yearly. The good news? Brach's candy corn kernels only have about 5 calories each.

Halloween Candy By The Numbers

76: The percentage of Halloween candy sold that is bite-sized chocolate bars
Kids should keep a close eye on their goodie bags. The National Confectioner's Association notes that not only do Baby Ruth, Hershey's Milk Chocolate and other mini chocolate bars make up 76% of Halloween candy sales, they are also the most popular item for parents to steal away for themselves.

Halloween Candy By The Numbers

50: The amount of candy found in most children's trick or treat bags
Just how full is that goodie bag? According to a survey conducted by kidshealth.org, most tykes admitted to scoring at least 50 individual treats, with 44 percent of the kids interviewed saying they raked in over 100 pieces. But don't fret Mom and Dad, only 20 percent of the kids planned to eat their whole haul.

Halloween Candy By The Numbers

36 million: The number of children 5-13 who went trick or treating last year
The rapping on your door just keeps getting louder. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2008 there were roughly 36 million children, ages 5 to 13, out enjoying Halloween. That's an increase of about 65,000 children, from the year before.

Halloween Candy By The Numbers

17.99: The amount American consumers plan to spend on Halloween candy this year
The average ghoul or ghost is expected to spend a total of $56.30 on Halloween supplies this year, according to the National Retail Federation. $20.75 of that will go towards costumes (for kids and furry friends), $17.99 for candy, $14.54 for decorations and $3.02 on greeting cards.

Halloween Candy By The Numbers

26: pounds: Candy Weight
Eating those tiny treats over the course of the year add up. According to the US Census the average American consumes a startling amount of candy during the year-about 26 pounds worth. While there is no information about how much of that is noshed during Halloween, it's safe to say you're doing some major poundage post-Trick or Treating. There goes your diet.

Halloween Candy By The Numbers

90 Million: The pounds of chocolate that is sold the last week of October
Halloween is the clear winner for chocolate consumption. A Nielsen survey finds that in the week leading up to All Hallow's Eve, 90 million pounds of chocolate candy is sold. Nearly 71 million pounds of chocolate candy is sold during the week leading up to Easter, while only 48 million pounds of chocolate candy is sold during Valentine's week.

Halloween Candy By The Numbers

143: Treats & Sweets
It makes sense that those fun-sized candy bars came from one of the biggest states in the union. According to the 2007 Economic Census, the Sunshine State leads the nation in producing chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments with 143. That puts California holding over 10 percent of the nation's 1,233 establishments. Coming in second to California, Pennsylvania has 115 candy makers, undoubtedly helped by the city of Hershey.

Halloween Candy By The Numbers