CONTENTS
Halloween isn’t just about costumes and candy; it’s become a massive event that millions of Americans spend big on every year.
Whether it’s picking out the perfect costume, decorating homes with spooky decor, or stocking up on sweets for trick-or-treaters, the holiday has turned into a significant spending spree.
But just how much are people shelling out for Halloween fun?
In this article, we’ll break down the numbers, from overall spending trends to the top categories, and see why candy plays such a huge part in this festive season.
How Much Do Americans Spend on Halloween?
Halloween is a major holiday in the U.S., not just for spooky fun, but also for consumer spending.
From costumes to candy, Americans love to celebrate in style, and the spending trends show a consistent rise over the years.
- 2014: $7.4 billion
- 2015: $6.9 billion
- 2016: $8.4 billion
- 2017: $9.1 billion
- 2018: $9.0 billion
- 2019: $8.8 billion
- 2020: $8.0 billion (impacted by the pandemic)
- 2021: $10.1 billion
- 2022: $10.6 billion
- 2023: $12.2 billion
In 2023, Americans spent a record $12.2 billion on Halloween, continuing the growth seen over the past decade.
The pandemic in 2020 caused a temporary dip, but spending quickly rebounded, reaching $10.6 billion in 2022 and surpassing that to hit new highs in 2023.
What Are Halloween Shoppers Spending the Most Money On?
Americans love to go all out for Halloween, especially when it comes to costumes, decorations, and candy.
Over the last five years, the spending breakdown reveals where consumers prioritize their holiday dollars:
- Costumes: 34.1% of the total budget
- Decorations: 31.3% of the total budget
- Candy: 29.5% of the total budget
- Greeting Cards: 5.1% of the total budget
Breakdown by Category (per-person Halloween spending):
- $36.84 on costumes
- $34.76 on decorations
- $31.93 on candy
- $4.71 on greeting cards
Costumes consistently take the largest share of the Halloween budget, but decorations and candy aren’t far behind.
With consumers spending almost as much on Halloween decor as they do on costumes, it’s clear that Halloween is more than just a dress-up holiday; it’s also about creating spooky, festive atmospheres.
How Much Do Americans Spend on Halloween Candy?
Candy remains a staple of Halloween celebrations, with millions of Americans stocking up on sweets for trick-or-treaters and parties.
In 2023, Americans spent an average of $31.93 per person on Halloween candy. Total candy spending has increased year-over-year:
- 2017: $2.75 billion
- 2018: $2.82 billion
- 2019: $2.86 billion
- 2020: $2.4 billion (due to pandemic restrictions)
- 2021: $3.0 billion
- 2022: $3.1 billion
- 2023: $3.8 billion
This steady increase highlights the central role candy plays in Halloween, even during challenging times like the pandemic.
What Percentage of All Yearly Candy Sales Does Halloween Make Up?
Halloween is a crucial holiday for the candy industry, accounting for 10% of all yearly candy sales in the U.S.
This means that a significant chunk of the candy bought annually is purchased for Halloween festivities, including trick-or-treating and parties.
Halloween Spending in 2024
Halloween isn’t just a fun holiday; it’s an economic powerhouse in the U.S., with Americans spending more each year on costumes, decorations, and candy.
Costumes remain the top category, but candy and decorations are also big contributors to the total Halloween spending.
Candy, in particular, plays a vital role in the holiday, with Halloween making up 10% of the entire year’s candy sales.
As we look to future Halloweens, it’s likely that spending will continue to grow as the holiday becomes an even bigger part of the U.S. cultural landscape.
Source Acknowledgment: The data and figures in this article are sourced from trusted organizations like Statista, Insider Intelligence, Data Reportal, and Census.gov. These well-respected entities are known for delivering accurate and reliable information, enhancing the credibility of the content we provide.
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