Halloween a big business

The observance of Halloween dates to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, and it has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts, devils and hobgoblins.

In the United States, the first official citywide Halloween celebration occurred in Anoka, Minn., in 1921. By 2005, there were more than 36.1 million trick-or-treaters age 5 to 13 nationwide.

Some Halloween facts and figures:

•1.1 billion pounds: Total production of major pumpkin-producing states in 2005; Illinois produced the most: 497 million pounds. States producing at least 100 million pounds: California, Ohio, Pennsylvania

•$106 million: Value of all pumpkins produced by the major pumpkin-producing states

•2,497: Number of formalwear and costume-rental establishments across the nation in 2004

•1,241: Number of U.S. manufacturers producing chocolate and cocoa products in 2004. California led the number of chocolate- and cocoa-manufacturing establishments in the United States, with 136, followed by Pennsylvania, with 122.

•515: Number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionary products in 2004

Places around the country to fit the holiday:

•Transylvania County, N.C. (29,626 residents)

•Tombstone, Ariz. (population 1,569)

•Pumpkin Center, N.C. (population 2,228)

•Pumpkin Bend, Ark. (population 307)

•Cape Fear in New Hanover County, N.C. (population 15,711)

•Cape Fear in Chatham County, N.C. (population 1,170)

•Skull Creek, Neb. (population 285)

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau