12 fun facts about Halloween that may surprise you

Residents in Queens, New York, get in the Halloween spirit. John Nacion/AP Halloween is only a few days away. The first citywide Halloween celebration took place in Anoka, Minnesota, over 100 years ago.

This year more than half of Americans — 69% to be exact — will celebrate the holiday. Halloween, which first became popular in the US during the 1800s, has become a multi-billion-dollar industry, including candy, movies, haunted experiences, and creepy costumes. Disneyland Halloween.

Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register/Getty ImagesWalletHub shared a study with Insider in 2022 that breaks down Halloween by the numbers, such as how much money people spend on the holiday, how many kids are expected to dress as princesses, and the most popular Halloween costume for your pets. Keep scrolling to learn more about how Americans celebrate October 31. The first citywide Halloween celebration took place in Anoka, Minnesota, in 1921.

Three girls amuse each other with their masked costumes as they prepare for Halloween festivities in 1929. Felix Koch/Cincinnati Museum Center/Getty ImagesAccording to WalletHub, the best place to celebrate is usually New York City, based on the fun activities on offer, the weather, and “trick-or-treater friendliness. “Around 69% of Americans celebrate Halloween, according to WalletHub.

People in costumes participate in the annual Village Halloween Parade in New York City in 2018. Stephanie Keith/Getty ImagesBut only 67% of Americans plan on giving out candy to trick-or-treaters. And while it’s a huge industry, with a projected $10.

6 billion spent this year, not everyone spends mega bucks. Visitors enjoy picking their own pumpkins at Rock Creek Farm Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze in Broomfield, Colorado. Helen H.

Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty ImagesBut, like everything else, inflation has affected Halloween. The average price of a pumpkin is $5. 82, up 13% from last year.

But the average person will spend around $100 this year on Halloween. Rande Gerber and George Clooney attend the Casamigos Halloween party on October 27, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Denise Truscello/Getty Images for CasamigosBut the 28% of people who are throwing a Halloween party will probably end up spending a bit more.

Of that $10. 6 billion, $3. 1 billion will be spent on candy for the estimated 41.

7 million trick-or-treaters this year. Trick or treat?Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty ImagesThe first documented use of “trick or treat” was in 1917. But not all that candy goes to the kids — 86% of parents have admitted to stealing their children’s candy.

People trick or treating in a Brooklyn, New York, neighborhood on Halloween in 2015. Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesThe most popular candies in the US are:Reese’s CupsSkittlesM&M’sStarburstHot TamalesAt least $3. 6 billion will be spent on costumes this year.

Some superhero costumes to choose from. Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesCostumes have definitely become more elaborate over the years. This year, 1.

6 million children are expected to dress as witches, 4. 6 million as superheroes, and 1. 9 million as princesses.

Two girls wearing princess costumes at the Halloween Festival at Jose Marti Park. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesIf you want to help your child be a little more creative, here are some ideas. Meanwhile, among adults, there will be 1.

7 million vampires and 5. 3 million witches stalking the streets this year. A person dressed as a witch.

Paul Zinken/picture alliance via Getty ImagesStill not sure what you want to be this year? We can help. Animals won’t miss out on the fun — 20% of Americans dress their pets in costumes. Witch costumes are popular for pups, too.

APThe most popular costumes this year for pets are pumpkins, hot dogs, bats, bumblebees, and witches, according to WalletHub. The record for the longest walk-through haunted house is 7,183 feet, nearly a mile and a half. Dragon’s House of Horror in Albuquerque.

Facebook/Dragon’s House of HorrorIt’s held by Dragon’s House of Horror in Albuquerque, New Mexico. But if haunted houses aren’t your speed, you could always check out a scary movie. In 2022 (so far), horror movies made $412 million at the US box office.

“Annabelle. “New Line CinemaHere are some of the terrifying true stories that your favorite horror movies are based on. Read the original article on Insider.