While the little ones might be a bit young to indulge in classic black Halloween flicks like "Blacula," "A Vampire in Brooklyn" or "Tales from the Hood," about 36 million American kids between 5 and 14 dressed up and indulged in trick or treating last year, according a report released this morning by the U.S. Census Department.
The report is choc'full of tasty facts about Halloween and our collective candy consumption of Halloween treats. Here's a sampling of other interesting facts about America's scariest (and sweetest) holiday.
116.7 million
The number of occupied housing units across the nation in 2010 — all potential stops for trick-or-treaters.
92%
The 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.
1.1 billion pounds
The amount in pounds of pumpkins 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. Source:
1,177
The 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
The number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionary products in 2009. These establishments employed 16,974 people. California led the nation in this category, with 45 establishments.
24.7 Pounds
The per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2010.
1,719
The number of costume rental and formal wear establishments across the nation in 2009.
Places with crazy/scary names that might make for great places to spend Halloween?
Transylvania County, N.C. (population 33,090)
Tombstone, Ariz. (population 1,380)
Pumpkin Center, N.C. (population 2,222); and Pumpkin Bend, Ark. (population 276)
Cape Fear in New Hanover County, N.C. (population 18,388); and Cape Fear in Chatham County, N.C. (population 1,323).
Skull Creek, Neb. (population 271)