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Hallowe’en... by the numbers
2013
Thursday, October 31st is Hallowe’en!
Here is a selection of statistics related to the spooky occasion.
(Last updated: October 16, 2013)
Trick or Treat!
- 3,734,401 — The estimated number of children in Canada of prime trick-or-treating age—5 to 14 years old—in 2012, up 0.2% from 2011.
| Year | Number of children aged 5 to 14 |
|---|---|
| 1982 | 3,704,513 |
| 1983 | 3,684,174 |
| 1984 | 3,669,615 |
| 1985 | 3,656,755 |
| 1986 | 3,644,483 |
| 1987 | 3,668,322 |
| 1988 | 3,706,408 |
| 1989 | 3,759,792 |
| 1990 | 3,798,425 |
| 1991 | 3,837,118 |
| 1992 | 3,879,007 |
| 1993 | 3,912,389 |
| 1994 | 3,950,525 |
| 1995 | 3,989,627 |
| 1996 | 4,025,206 |
| 1997 | 4,061,011 |
| 1998 | 4,086,357 |
| 1999 | 4,090,735 |
| 2000 | 4,092,628 |
| 2001 | 4,096,223 |
| 2002 | 4,103,114 |
| 2003 | 4,087,297 |
| 2004 | 4,047,384 |
| 2005 | 3,988,855 |
| 2006 | 3,917,721 |
| 2007 | 3,856,398 |
| 2008 | 3,806,403 |
| 2009 | 3,771,706 |
| 2010 | 3,740,140 |
| 2011 | 3,725,582 |
| 2012 | 3,734,401 |
Source: CANSIM, table 051-0001.
See also: “Canada’s population estimates: Age and sex,” The Daily, Thursday, September 27, 2012; Population by sex and age group in Summary tables, as well as the publications Quarterly Demographic Estimates and Annual Demographic Estimates.
Population data by age and sex for 2013 will be available November 25, 2013.
- 13.3 million — The number of private dwellings across Canada in 2011 where children might be able to nab some treats… or could get into some mischief!
Source: “2011 Census: Population and dwelling counts,” The Daily, Wednesday, February 8, 2012.
Jack-o’-lanterns and Hallowe’en apples
A big part of Hallowe’en is the hollowed-out and carved pumpkin known as the Jack-o'-lantern. Decorating with squash and gourds for Hallowe'en and Thanksgiving has also become increasingly popular. These autumn favourites can also be eaten! Pumpkin spice beverage or pumpkin pie, anyone?
- 2,239 — The number of farms in Canada with pumpkin patches according to the 2011 Census of Agriculture.
Source: 2011 Farm and farm operator data.
- 7,027 acres — The approximate land area on which pumpkins were harvested in Canada in 2012.
- $17.6 million — The estimated farm gate value of these pumpkins in 2012.
- 63,729 tonnes — The marketed production of pumpkins in Canada in 2012.
Source: CANSIM, table 001-0013.
- 1.75 kg — The amount of pumpkin and squash available for consumption as food per capita in Canada in 2012. (Data adjusted for retail, household, cooking and plate loss.)
Source: CANSIM, table 002-0011.
In some parts of Canada, “Hallowe’en apples!” is the exclamation used in the little goblins’ quest for candy. In parts of Canada where the French-Canadian culture is dominant, trick-or-treaters must sing a song for their reward!
- 6.34 kg — The amount of fresh apples available for consumption as food per capita in Canada in 2012. (Data adjusted for retail, household, cooking and plate loss.)
Source: CANSIM, table 002-0011.
- 269,837 tonnes — The amount of apples grown in Canada in 2012.
- $167.7 million — The estimated farm gate value of apples grown in Canada in 2012.
Source: CANSIM, table 001-0009.
Dressed to thrill
Dressing up for special occasions and costume parties—a big part of Hallowe’en!
- 184 — The number of businesses engaged in formal wear and costume rental in Canada in 2013.
Source: CANSIM, table 551-0004.
- $42.6 million — The value of "vestments and costumes" manufactured in Canada in 2011. This category (3152995) includes theatrical and other costumes and ecclesiastical vestments.
Source: Manufacturing and Energy Division.
Scary movie
Hallowe’en is a favourite time to watch films of the horror genre.
- 112.2 million — The number of tickets sold at cinemas (including indoor theatres, drive-ins and film festivals) in Canada in 2010, down 1.9% from 114.4 million in 2009.
Source: Motion Picture Theatres, 2010, released February 7, 2012.
Mummy couture
- $380.5 million — The value of "surgical and therapeutic appliances and supplies…" manufactured in Canada in 2011. This category (3391139) includes bandages.
Source: Manufacturing and Energy Division.
See also: Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM) - List of Goods.
R.I.P.
- $57.5 million — The value of wood burial caskets and coffins manufactured in Canada in 2011.
Source: Manufacturing and Energy Division.
Quiet professionals
- 4,535 — The number of employed funeral directors and embalmers in Canada in 2011. Of this number, 2,990 were men and 1,545 were women.
Source: 2011 National Household Survey: Data tables, Tabulation: Occupation - National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011 (691), Class of Worker (5), Age Groups (13B) and Sex (3) for the Employed Labour Force Aged 15 Years and Over, in Private Households of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2011 National Household Survey.
- 14,090 — The total number of employees in the funeral services industry in Canada in 2012.
Source: CANSIM, table 281-0024.
Hallowe’en candy
Candy—the reward for trick or treating!
(Data are seasonally unadjusted.)
- $360.9 million — The value of monthly sales of candy, confectionery and snack foods at large retailers in October 2012. December, however, was the month with the highest monthly sales in 2012, at $448.5 million.
- $282.4 million — The average monthly sales of candy, confectionery and snack foods at large retailers in 2012.
Source: CANSIM, table 080-0009.
- 9% — The percentage of sugar consumed by children derived from confectionary items (for instance, chocolate bars, candies).
- 10% — The percentage of sugar consumed by adolescents derived from confectionary items (for instance, chocolate bars, candies).
- 5% — The percentage of sugar consumed by adults derived from confectionary items (for instance, chocolate bars, candies).
Source: “Sugar consumption among Canadians of all ages,” Health Reports, September 2011.
Devil’s night
There is a general increase in the number of criminal incidents reported to police on October 31, compared with October 24.
Note: Data are provided by police services representing 99% of the population of Canada.
- 4.0% — The percentage increase in the number of criminal incidents reported to police during Hallowe’en 2012 (October 31, 2012), compared with a week earlier (October 24, 2012).
- 52.6% — The proportion of all criminal incidents reported during Hallowe'en 2012 that were violations against property.
- 15.9% — The proportion of all criminal incidents reported during Hallowe'en 2012 that were violations against the person.
- 14.6% — The proportion of all criminal incidents reported during Hallowe'en 2012 that were Other Criminal Code violations.
- 10.3% — The proportion of all criminal incidents reported during Hallowe'en 2012 that were Criminal Code Traffic violations.
- 5.6% — The proportion of all criminal incidents reported during Hallowe'en 2012 that were Drug violations.
Source: Incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR2) Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, October 2013 extraction.
Places in Canada that may give you the creeps
Visit these places using the Census Profile… if you dare!
Axe Point, Black Cape, Black Water, Bloodvein, Bloodvein River, Bone Creek, Bone Town, Burnt Arm, Burnt Church, Burnt Head, Burnt Hill, Butchers, Coffin Cove, Dead Creek, Dead Islands, Deadman's Bay, Deadmans Cove, Dead Man's Flats, Deadmans Harbour, Deadtree Point, Deception Lake, Destruction Bay, Devil's Gate, Devils Island, Devils Kitchen, Giants Glen, Goblin, Ghost Lake, Ghost Pine Creek, Ghost River, Gore, Gore Bay, Grave Flats, Hatchet Cove, Hatchet Harbour, Hatchet Lake, Hidden Valley, Hitchcock, Isle aux Morts, L'Anse-au-Diable, La Roche-du-Diable, L'Île-aux-Fantômes, Lonely Lake, Lost River, Peekaboo Point, Phantom Beach, Pirate Harbour, Point au Mal, Point Enragée, Poison Creek, Pumpkin Point, Rapides-du-Diable, Rivière-Windigo, Ruisseau-Noir, Salem, Serpent River, Shadow Lake, Skull Creek, Sleepy Hollow, Sleepy Hollow Road Trailer Park, Snake River, Spirit Lake, Spirit River.
Source: Geography Division.
See also: Census Geography.
Happy Hallowe’en!
If you dare seek information on this page, or if you need a hand digging up more data from the StatCan crypt, don’t be afraid to contact Media Relations.
See features on many other subjects in Previous releases of By the numbers.
