WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts and vampires. Today, Halloween has evolved into a celebration characterized by child-friendly activities, such as costumes, trick-or-treating and carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns.

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Trick or Treat!

41.1 million The estimated number of potential trick-or-treaters in 2012 — children age 5 to 14 — across the U.S. Of course, many other children — older than 14 and younger than 5 — also go trick-or-treating.Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates http://www.census.gov/popest/data/index.html

115 million Number of occupied housing units across the nation in second quarter 2013 — all potential stops for trick-or-treaters. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Housing Vacancies and Homeownership, Table 8 http://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/data/histtabs.html

93.3%Percentage of households with residents who considered their neighborhood safe in 2011. In addition, 79.5 percent said there was no place within a mile of their homes where they would be afraid to walk alone at night.  Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United States, 2011, http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p20-570.pdf

1,148Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2011, employing 35,538 people. California led the nation in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with 122, followed by Pennsylvania, with 109. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 County Business Patternshttp://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/

440Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced nonchocolate confectionary products in 2011. California led the nation in this category, with 56. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 County Business Patternshttp://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/

Where to Spend Halloween?

Some places around the country that may put you in the Halloween mood are:

Tombstone, Ariz. (estimated population 1,358) Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates  http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2012/PEPANNRES/1620000US0474400

Sleepy Hollow, Ill. (estimated population 3,339)Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2012/PEPANNRES/1620000US1770161

Kill Devil Hills, N.C. (estimated population 6,827)Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2012/PEPANNRES/1620000US3735720

Yellville city, Ark. (estimated population 1,196)Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2012/PEPANNRES/1620000US0577330

Transylvania County, N.C. (estimated population 32,849)Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2012/PEPANNRES/0500000US37175

Slaughter Beach town, Del. (estimated population 215)Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2012/PEPANNRES/1620000US1067050

Casper, Wyo. (estimated population 57,813)Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2012/PEPANNRES/1620000US5613150

Scarville, Iowa (estimated population 71)Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2012/PEPANNRES/1620000US1971040

Truth or Consequences city, New Mexico (estimated population 6,411)Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2012/PEPANNRES/1620000US3579840

Spooktacular Fun

4,575The number of motion picture theaters (except drive-ins) where one could possibly enjoy a horrorfest. California (537), Texas (296), New York (272) and Florida (206) had the most of such establishments. There were 244 drive-in motion picture theaters in 2011 – Ohio, with 24, had the most. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 County Business Patternshttp://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/

47,800Acres of pumpkins harvested in the U.S. in 2012, with a total estimated production value of $148.9 million. Of the top six pumpkin-producing states, Illinois led the country by producing an estimated 556.3 million pounds of this vined gourd, followed by California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Michigan. Pumpkins are frequently carved as decorations around Halloween.Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Servicehttp://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/current/VegeSumm/VegeSumm-01-29-2013.pdf

$165 millionThe estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate of private nonresidential construction spending on theme/amusement parks for June 2013. Halloween events at theme/amusement parks can be frighteningly fun. For more information about Construction Spending, please visit: http://www.census.gov/constructionspending Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Manufacturing and Construction Statisticshttp://www.census.gov/construction/c30/xls/privsatime.xls

1,197The number of costume rental and formal wear establishments; they had 6,936 paid employees (for pay period including March 12) across the nation in 2011. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 County Business Patternshttp://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/

$1.1 billionDollar value of U.S. fresh apples exported in 2012. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $284 million worth. Whether bobbing for or dipping in caramel, apples can be a fun treat around Halloween.Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Statisticshttp://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/index.html

Who You Gonna Call?

89% Percent of all households that had a cellular phone in 2011 compared with only 36 percent in 1998. The percentage of households with a cellular phone only (no landline) rose from less than 1 percent in 1998 to 28 percent in 2011.Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United States, 2011, http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p20-570.pdf

Following is a list of observances typically covered by the Census Bureau's Facts for Features series:

Editor's note: The preceding data were collected from a variety of sources and may be subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. Facts for Features are customarily released about two months before an observance in order to accommodate magazine production timelines. Questions or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau's Public Information Office: telephone: 301-763-3030; fax: 301-763-3762; or e-mail: PIO@census.gov.

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau

RELATED LINKShttp://www.census.gov