Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. News

Which states are the spookiest? Study reveals the most Halloween-obsessed states

These states have the most Halloween spirit.

By
Scary pumpkin
StockSnap / Pixabay

With Halloween around the corner, a recent study by Backyard Oasis has revealed the U.S. states most enchanted by all things spooky. The analysis considered key Halloween indicators, from costume and decoration searches to candy interest, haunted houses, and the number of upcoming Halloween events in each state. Factoring in population size for comparability, the study produced a composite score to rank each state’s Halloween enthusiasm.

Taking the top spot is California, with a composite score of 51.77. The Golden State leads with a staggering 14.7 million costume searches and a record-breaking 55 haunted houses, setting the stage for a truly haunted Halloween season.

Recommended Videos

Following closely, New York claims the second spot with a score of 50.63. Known for its love of sweets, New York leads the country in Halloween candy searches, with nearly 725,000 residents looking for their favorite treats – especially Sour Patch Kids, the state’s most popular Halloween candy.

In third place is Texas, boasting a score of 48.16. The Lone Star State ranks right behind California in costume searches, with 9.3 million residents seeking out their perfect Halloween attire.

Florida grabs fourth place with a score of 41.7, hosting 3,080 Halloween events across the state, one of the highest in the nation. Floridians prefer Reese’s Cups, bringing a chocolatey touch to festivities.

Rounding out the top five is Illinois, with a score of 41.47. Known for its spooky attractions, Illinois boasts 52 haunted houses, second only to California.

The most Halloween-obsessed states: The full list

Spider web
Lussie_G / Pixabay
  1. California
  2. New York
  3. Texas
  4. Florida
  5. Illinois
  6. Ohio
  7. Pennsylvania
  8. Indiana
  9. Michigan
  10. Massachusetts

Andy Wu, CEO of Backyard Oasis, commented on the study, “Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year, bringing people together through creativity and celebration. It’s amazing to see how different states embrace the holiday in their own unique ways, from massive costume searches to thrilling haunted houses.”

Amanda Teague
Amanda Teague
Contributor
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word…
Topics
Savannah Beyond the Postcard
Take a look at one of the greatest southern cities from a different perspective.
Architecture, Building, Spire

Savannah is one of those cities that seems almost too easy to like. The live oaks are dramatic. The Spanish moss does exactly what it is supposed to do. The brick sidewalks buckle in all the right places. The houses look like they were designed by people who understood proportion, shade, and the value of a proper front step. Even the light seems to arrive with better manners than it does in most places.

I have a built-in advantage when it comes to Savannah. We have family there, so we have been back several times, not just once for the checklist version of the city. I have also done a photography workshop there, which is a terrific way to learn any city. You get up early, stay out late, and pay attention to alleys, doorways, ironwork, reflections, and the way a city changes when the tourists are still asleep.

Read more
I spent 72 hours in London with only a carry-on. Here’s how I did it in style
Luxury travel doesn't require a checked bag
London

Somewhere between the baggage claim carousel and the Elizabeth Line, I realized I'd already won. As passengers from my Norwegian flight to London crowded around the conveyor belt waiting for checked luggage to appear, I was already on my way into the city. Twenty minutes later, I was headed toward central London with nothing more than a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. I've become a bit of a carry-on evangelist over the past few years. Not because I'm trying to prove some minimalist point or because I enjoy seeing how few shirts I can survive with. I just genuinely think it's the better way to travel, especially for a long weekend in Europe.

My recent 72-hour trip from Copenhagen to London wasn't exactly a backpacker's itinerary. It included a stay at one of London's nicest luxury hotels, rooftop cocktails, dinners worth dressing up for, and plenty of walking through Soho, Covent Garden, and the rest of central London. Somehow, everything I needed fit inside my Travelpro Platinum Elite Slim Cabin Hardshell Spinner V2, with a backpack holding my flight essentials.

Read more
This New Montana Hotel Captures the Poetry of the Open Road
Helena's newest boutique hotel revives the spirit of the classic roadside motel.
Corner, Home Decor, Bed

In case you need another excuse for a Montana getaway this summer, a quirky new boutique hotel has opened in Helena, the Treasure State's capital. The Bell Hotel occupies the site of the former Bell Motel, a classic 1950s roadside lodge thoughtfully reimagined by CWG Architecture. Each of its 14 rooms features locally made chocolates, coffee, and artwork. While in town, ask the front desk about the Bell's Picnic in the Park package. The hotel supplies a basket of local treats and a blanket; Montana provides the sublime scenery and glorious weather. You're on your own for companionship.

Hannah honey was a peachy kind of girl /Her eyes were hazel and her nose was slightly curved /We spent a lonely night at the Memory Motel- The Rolling Stones

Read more