Halloween is a fun and festive celebration characterized by child-friendly activities like carving pumpkins and donning masks and quirky costumes to trick-or-treat.
Some trace the spooky tradition to the festival of Samhain among the Celts of ancient Britain and Ireland. When large numbers of Irish and other immigrants went to the United States beginning in the mid-19th century, they took their Halloween customs with them. In the 20th century, Halloween, celebrated Oct. 31 (the night before All Saints’ or All Hallows’ Day), became a favorite pastime, especially among kids. According to the U.S. Census Bureau: 133.2 million The number of occupied U.S. housing units – potential stops for trick-or-treaters – in 2023. Source: 2023 American Housing Survey 72.8 million The estimated number of U.S. children under the age of 18 (potential trick-or-treaters) as of July 1, 2023. Source: Vintage 2023 Population Estimates 56.6 million The number of occupied U.S. housing units with steps that trick-or-treaters had to climb to collect their treats – or tricks – in 2023. Source: 2023 American Housing Survey And Spooky-Sounding Places Big Bear Lake City, Calif. (2023 population: 5,007) Casper, Wyo. (2023 population: 58,720) Devils Lake, N.D. (2023 population: 7,135) Deadwood City, S.D. (2023 population: 1,343) Kill Devil Hills, N.C. (2023 population: 7,778) Scarville, Iowa (2023 population: 78) Seven Devils Town, N.C. (2023 population: 315) Slaughter Beach, Del. (2023 population: 241) Slaughter Town, La. (2023 population: 1,006) Slaughters City, Ky. (2023 population: 186) Sleepy Hollow, Ill. (2023 population: 3,131) Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. (2023 population: 10,962) Tombstone, Ariz. (2023 population: 1,312) Truth or Consequences, N.M. (2023 population: 6,000) Yellville, Ark. (2023 population: 1,164). |