Halloween Economy: Which States Spend the Most on Candy and Make the Sweetest Treats? (2024)

For candy makers, there are certain red-letter days throughout the year, such as Easter and Valentine's Day, that they hope will bring a cascade of revenue. Another such day is just around the corner: Halloween. On All Hallow's Eve, children dress up as their favorite ghoul or superhero, participate in trick-or-treating and, of course, eat lots of candy. Just like adults.

So which states' residents have the biggest sweet tooth? To estimate the cost of candy, Wall Street 24/7 estimated the number of candy stores and chocolate shops in each state and adjusted it to the population.

Candy store data was obtained from Yelp! We included the three most popular candies in each state from CandyStore.com, the economic output of each state's sugar industry from the National Confectioners Association, as well as the share of each state's population under age 14 from the census.

merely:Halloween on Saturday would be a game changer for parents and children

merely:DIY Halloween Costumes: How Not to Save Money

merely:Master pumpkin carver Ray Villafane transforms pumpkins into works of art

50. North Dakota

• Candy and chocolate shops:1.6 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Hete Tamales, Jolly Ranchers, Candy Corn
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$40.0 million (second lowest)
• Population under 14 years:19.7 percent (13th highest)

49. Connecticut

• Candy and chocolate shops:1.9 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Almond Joy, Milky Way, M&M's
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$407.0 million (25th highest)
• Population under 14 years:16.8 percent (7th lowest)

48. Arkansas

• Candy and chocolate shops:1.9 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Jolly Ranchers, Hot Tamales, Butterfinger
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$208.0 million (17th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:19.5 percent (15th highest)

47. New Jersey

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.0 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Cones, M&M's, Tootsie Pops
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$2000.0 million (4th highest)
• Population under 14 years:18.1 percent (14th lowest)

46. ​​Michigan

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.0 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Candy Corn, Starburst, Skittles
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$685.0 million (18th highest)
• Population under 14 years:17.9 percent (13th lowest)

45. Mississippi

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.1 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:3 Musketiers, Snickers, Butterfinger
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$97.0 million (11th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:19.8 percent (11th highest)

44. Texas

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.1 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Starburst, Almond Joy
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$1000.0 million (8th highest)
• Population under 14 years:21.7 percent (second highest)

43. Alabama

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.1 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Candy Corn, Tootsie Pops, Hershey's Minibarer
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$212.0 million (18th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:18.5 percent (23rd lowest)

42. West-Virginia

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.1 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Blow Pops, Melkweg, Hershey's Minibarer
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$46.0 million (4th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:17.1 percent (8th lowest)

41. Kansas

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.3 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, M&M's, Snickers
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$257.0 million (22nd lowest)
• Population under 14 years:20.4 percent (7th highest)

40. Florida

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.4 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Snickers, kegels, Reese's Cups
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$1000.0 million (8th highest)
• Population under 14 years:16.5 percent (6th lowest)

39. Arizona

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.5 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Snickers, Hot Tamales, Hershey Kisses
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$226.0 million (20th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:19.3 percent (19th highest)

38. Wisconsin

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.5 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Butterfinger, Starburst, Hot Tamales
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$2000.0 million (4th highest)
• Population under 14 years:18.2 percent (18th lowest)

37. South Dakota

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.6 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Starburst, Candy Corn, Jolly Ranchers
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$44.0 million (third lowest)
• Population under 14 years:20.6 percent (6th highest)

36. Nebraska

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.6 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Saltvandstaffy, Sour Patch Kids, Twix
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$85.0 million (9th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:20.8 percent (5th highest)

merely:Halloween spending: 25 US cities are investing heavily in this spooky holiday

35. Georgia

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.7 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Jolly Ranchers, Swedish Fish, Hershey Kisses
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$1000.0 million (8th highest)
• Population under 14 years:19.9 percent (10th highest)

34. Maryland

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.7 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:The Milky Way, Reese's Cups, Hershey Kisses
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$565.0 million (20th highest)
• Population under 14 years:18.4 percent (21st lowest)

33. Kentucky

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.7 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Swedish fisk, Tootsie Pops, Reese's Cups
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$354.0 million (24th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:18.9 percent (22nd highest)

32. Virginia

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.8 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Hete Tamales, Snickers, Tootsie Pops
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$1000.0 million (8th highest)
• Population under 14 years:18.3 percent (19th lowest)

31. Rhode Island

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.8 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Candy Corn, Twix, M&M's
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$60.0 million (6th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:16.0 percent (4th lowest)

30. Wyoming

• Candy and chocolate shops:2.9 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Salt Water Taffy, Dubble Bubble Gum
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$30.0 million (the lowest)
• Population under 14 years:20.1 percent (9th highest)

29. Idaho

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.0 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Candy Corn, Starburst, Snickers
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$100.0 million (12th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:21.4 percent (third highest)

28. North Carolina

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.0 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:M&M's, Reese's Cups, Snickers
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$518.0 million (21st highest)
• Population under 14 years:18.5 percent (22nd lowest)

27. Oklahoma

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.0 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Double gum, snickers, skittles
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$129.0 million (13th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:20.4 percent (8th highest)

26. Iowa

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.0 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Candy Corn, M&M's, Reese's Cups
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$417.0 million (24th highest)
• Population under 14 years:19.3 percent (18th highest)

25. Massachusetts

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.0 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Sour Patch Kids, Butterfinger, Double Bubble Gum
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$1000.0 million (8th highest)
• Population under 14 years:16.3 percent (5th lowest)

merely:Halloween tip: Rank the best city for trick-or-treating in each state

24. Montana

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.2 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Double gum, Twix, M&M's
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$71.0 million (7th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:18.2 percent (17th lowest)

23. Colorado

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.2 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Twix, Milky Way, Hershey Kisses
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$802.0 million (17th highest)
• Population under 14 years:18.7 percent (24th highest)

22. New York

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.3 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Sour Patch Kids, Candy Corn, Hot Tamales
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$2000.0 million (4th highest)
• Population under 14 years:17.3 percent (10th lowest)

21. Pennsylvania

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.3 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Kegler, M&M's, Candy Corn
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$6000.0 million (highest)
• Population under 14 years:17.1 percent (9th lowest)

20. Delaware

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.3 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Lifeguards, candy corn, skittles
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$58.0 million (5th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:17.6 percent (12th lowest)

19. Nevada

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.3 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Candy Corn, Hershey Kisses, Tootsie Pops
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$201.0 million (16th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:19.0 percent (21st highest)

18. Missouri

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.4 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Milky Way, double bubble gum, almond joy
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$948.0 million (16th highest)
• Population under 14 years:18.8 percent (23rd highest)

merely:Do you have a strange job? A gallery of some unusual ways to make a living across the country

17. Tennessee

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.4 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Tootsie Pops, cones, saltwater taffy
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$1000.0 million (8th highest)
• Population under 14 years:18.6 percent (25th lowest)

16. Indiana

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.4 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Hete Tamales, Starburst, Jolly Ranchers
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$1000.0 million (8th highest)
• Population under 14 years:19.5 percent (14th highest)

15. Ohio

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.4 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:M&M's, Blow Pops, Starburst
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$2000.0 million (4th highest)
• Population under 14 years:18.4 percent (20th lowest)

14. Alaska

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.5 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Twix, Blow Pops, Milky Way
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$91.0 million (10th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:21.1 percent (4th highest)

13. Illinois

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.5 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Kit Kat, Sour Patch Kids, Snickers
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$6000.0 million (highest)
• Population under 14 years:18.7 percent (25th highest)

12. Minnesota

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.7 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Tootsie Pops, Kegler, Candy Corn
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$644.0 million (19th highest)
• Population under 14 years:19.4 percent (17th highest)

11. Louisiana

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.7 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Citroenkoppen, Reese's Cups, Blow Pops
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$487.0 million (22nd highest)
• Population under 14 years:19.7 percent (12th highest)

10. New Mexico

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.7 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Candy Corn, Jolly Ranchers, Melkweg
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$80.0 million (8th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:19.4 percent (16th highest)

9. California

• Candy and chocolate shops:3.8 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Kegler, M&M's, assorted saltwater taffy
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$6000.0 million (highest)
• Population under 14 years:19.0 percent (20th highest)

8. South Carolina

• Candy and chocolate shops:4.5 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Kegler, Candy Corn, Hot Tamales
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$154.0 million (15th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:18.2 percent (16th lowest)

7. Utah

• Candy and chocolate shops:4.5 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Jolly Ranchers, Candy Corn, Tootsie Pops
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$407.0 million (25th highest)
• Population under 14 years:24.9 percent (the highest)

6. Maine

• Candy and chocolate shops:4.9 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Sour Patch Kids, Starburst, M&M's
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$135.0 million (14th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:15.5 percent (second lowest)

5. Newhampshire

• Candy and chocolate shops:5.0 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Starburst, M&M's, Snickers
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$276.0 million (23rd lowest)
• Population under 14 years:15.6 percent (third lowest)

4. Oregon

• Candy and chocolate shops:5.0 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, M&M's, Candy Corn
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$256.0 million (21st lowest)
• Population under 14 years:17.5 percent (11th lowest)

3. Washington

• Candy and chocolate shops:5.5 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Saltwater taffy, Tootsie Pops, cone
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$1000.0 million (8th highest)
• Population under 14 years:18.6 percent (24th lowest)

2. Vermont

• Candy and chocolate shops:11.5 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:The Milky Way, cones, M&M's
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$226.0 million (20th lowest)
• Population under 14 years:15.5 percent (the lowest)

1. Hawaii

• Candy and chocolate shops:12.0 per 100,000 people
• Most popular as follows:Skittles, Hershey Kisses, Butterfingers
• The economic output of the sugar industry:$433.0 million (23rd highest)
• Population under 14 years:18.2 percent (15th lowest)

Detailed results

Although the candy industry is besieged by concerns about obesity and diabetes, America still consumes a lot of candy.

America's love affair with candy means huge profits for companies that produce, distribute and sell candy. The National Confectioners Association, the trade group for the candy industry, recently released a report detailing the industry's economic impact on the U.S. economy. The Washington, D.C.-based group estimates the industry's economic output at $44.6 billion. According to the NCA, the sector directly employs 54,000 workers and supports a further 550,000 jobs across the country. There are jobs in the confectionery industry in every state.

With consumer confidence high, candy manufacturers have reason to be optimistic about Halloween candy sales. The National Retail Federation predicts that consumers will spend $2.6 billion on candy this holiday season. According to the NRF, 95 percent of those who celebrate Halloween buy candy.

In the United States, there seems to be no consensus on the best-selling candy. According to the CandyStore.com blog, Skittles and Candy Corn are the best-selling candies in five states, followed by Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (four states) and Jolly Ranchers and Milky Way (three states). Venerable candies like Twix, Snickers, Tootsie Pops and M&M's are top choices in several states and will be making their way into Halloween bags this year.

“Spicy candies are having a resurgence,” said Clair Robins, spokeswoman for CandyStore.com. “It has to do with the increased popularity and availability of Mexican sweets. The younger generation is also more attracted to big flavors and colors than previous generations, who may have preferred rich and smooth flavors. Hot Tamales, Sour Patch Kids, Skittles, and Swedish Fish are not what kids raised in the 80s typically consider top-tier candy. Reese's Cups and Snickers bars ruled the day. Those big names are still very strong, but things with a sour or spicy kick or vibrant sweet flavors are what the kids [today] like.”

In 2015, chocolate manufacturer Hershey Co. launched. a report on which states consumed the most candy per capita, and the highest state was Utah. Prolific candy consumption in Utah has influenced anti-obesity measures. According to a report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Utah has the lowest obesity rate among those ages 10 to 17 and the fifth-lowest rate among adults at 25.3 percent. However, the percentage of adults with obesity has increased dramatically. In 2000, 17.3 percent of adults in the state were considered obese, and in 1990 that figure was only 9 percent.

Candy consumption remains high even as organizations like the World Health Organization and the World Cancer Research Fund have released reports on the dangers of too much sugar consumption and how it contributes to childhood obesity.

Methodical

To identify the states that spend the most on candy, Wall Street 24/7 assessed the number of candy stores (defined as stores that sell candy and/or chocolate) per 100,000 people for each state's largest cities (cities with more than 100,000 residents ). If a state did not have at least five cities with more than 100,000 residents, the five largest cities were considered to give each state appropriate representation.

Data on candy stores by city was obtained from Yelp!. Population data were obtained from the USA. Census Bureau's 2016 American Community Survey and its five-year averages. Each state's top three candies were obtained from CandyStore.com and are for 2018. Each state's economic candy production came from the National Confectioners Association's 2018 Economic Impact Report.

24/7 Wall Streetis a content partner of USA TODAY offering financial news and commentary. Content is produced independently of USA TODAY.