Consumers in the Midwest, which includes Missouri, plan to spend an average of $51.20 this year on Halloween costumes, decorations, candy, and greeting cards, according to the National Retail Federation. Total Halloween spending for 2009 is estimated to reach $4.75 billion, a decline from 2008. The downturn of the economy has consumers planning creative ways to stretch their Halloween dollar.

2,330,040  
Estimated number of potential households in Missouri for trick or treaters.

1,164,586
Estimated number of all potential trick or treaters in Missouri (children under the age of 14).

421,060
Estimated number of potential 15-19 year olds in Missouri getting too old to trick or treat.


9 billion
Pieces of candy corn that will be produced this year. That equates to nearly enough to circle the moon 21 times if laid end-to-end.

90 Percent
Number of parents that said they sneak goodies from their kids' trick-or-treat bags.

$17.21
Amount Midwest consumer plans to spend on Candy for Halloween.

Handout Candy
Number one way Midwest consumers, including Missourians, plan to celebrate Halloween. Other popular ways to celebrate include decorating the home or yard, carving a pumpkin, and dressing in costumes.

800
The number of seeds that are found in some giant pumpkins. Large award winning pumpkins can weigh over 1,500 pounds and consume 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water over a four-and-a-half month growing season.

$2.25
Average price of one pumpkin at the Central Missouri Produce Auction in Fortuna, MO in late August 2009.

43,200 Acres
Total acres of pumpkins planted and harvested in 2007. Top pumpkin production states are Illinois, California, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania.

Sources:
US Census Bureau 2006 American Community Survey
National Retail Federation
Agricultural Marketing Resource Center's Association
(www.worldamazingrecords.com/2008/10/worlds-biggest-and-heaviest-pumpkin.html)
(http://www.candyusa.com/Candy/FunFactsDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=966)