America's Halloween Mania: Top States Revealed in New Ranking
New England states, particularly New Hampshire and Maine, lead the nation in Halloween obsession, according to a Consumer Affairs study. While states like Kentucky and Ohio excel in attractions and candy searches, Hawaii, Mississippi, and Vermont show the least enthusiasm for the spooky season.
As the "spooky scary season" approaches, the level of enthusiasm for Halloween varies significantly across different states. For many, October means finding the perfect pumpkin, stocking up on Halloween candy, or planning a trip to a haunted hayride or ghost tour. The ease of participating in these festive activities often depends on where one resides, with certain states truly embracing the holiday spirit more than others.
Consumer Affairs conducted a comprehensive study to identify the most Halloween-obsessed states. Their analysis was based on a combination of local Halloween attractions and online activities, including searches for Halloween music, costumes, and candy. The findings reveal a clear geographical trend, with New England states emerging as the leaders in Halloween dedication.
New Hampshire proudly claims the top spot as the most Halloween-obsessed state. This designation is due to its strong performance across several key metrics. New Hampshire boasts the highest number of Spirit Halloween stores per 1 million residents and ranks second nationwide for pumpkin patches, with an impressive 35.6 patches per 1 million residents.
Following closely, New Hampshire's neighbor, Maine, secures the second position. Maine stands out as the premier destination for pumpkin enthusiasts, featuring the highest ratio of pumpkin patches to people of any state, also with 35.6 patches per 1 million residents.
For those who prefer a more frightful experience, Kentucky is the undisputed leader in haunted attractions. The state offers an astounding 19.6 haunted attractions per 1 million residents, providing ample opportunities for spooky hayrides and other terrifying experiences.
Fourth-place Ohio also demonstrates a significant love for Halloween attractions, ranking just outside the top five nationally for spooky holiday destinations. Furthermore, Ohio is a top-five state for Halloween candy searches, making it a sweet spot for trick-or-treaters and candy lovers alike. Virginia, coming in at fifth, is another excellent option for Halloween fans, noted for its YouTube search volume for Halloween music, which far surpasses any other state, and its tie for second place in pumpkin spice latte searches.
According to Consumer Affairs, the full list of the top 10 most Halloween-obsessed states includes: 1. New Hampshire, 2. Maine, 3. Kentucky, 4. Ohio, 5. Virginia, 6. Utah, 7. Idaho, 8. Oregon, 9. Indiana, and 10. Pennsylvania.
Conversely, some states exhibit considerably less enthusiasm for Halloween. Hawaii is identified as the least Halloween-obsessed state, ranking near the bottom for multiple festive favorites. It has the fewest Halloween attractions, with only 2.8 per 1 million residents, and is among the top five states with the least number of pumpkin patches, at a mere 1.4 per 1 million residents.
Mississippi ranks as the second least Halloween-obsessed state, partly due to its scarcity of Spirit Halloween stores, with only 2.4 per 1 million residents. The state also falls into the top five for the fewest Halloween costume searches and is tied for the lowest search volume for pumpkin spice lattes.
Surprisingly, despite being a New England state, Vermont landed as the third-worst state for Halloween spirit. Vermont experienced the largest drop in the Consumer Affairs rankings compared to the previous year, plummeting over 40 spots. Its low search volumes for Halloween decorations, costumes, and crafts significantly contributed to its diminished overall ranking, also tying with other states for the lowest search volume for Halloween crafts.