WASHINGTON – When you’re dropping candy into trick-or-treaters’ bags tonight, keep in mind that 37,128 people were employed by U.S. manufacturing plants that produce chocolate and cocoa products in 2014, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
And another 17,815 people are employed by plants that produce non-chocolate confectionery products.
There are, according to census figures,118.3 million American households for trick-or-treaters to hit tonight, and only 41.1 million potential trick-or-treaters – children 5 to 14.
The sort-of-good news is neighbors agree that 78.7 percent of U.S. households are trustworthy.
If you’re having trouble getting your Halloween on, the Bureau of the Census has some travel suggestions for place that will put you in the mood: Tombstone, Ariz.; Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.; Kill Devil Hills, N.C.; Yellville, Ark.; Transylvania County, N.C.; Casper, Wyo; Scarville, Iowa; Truth or Consequences, N.M., and one in Delaware: Slaughter Beach.
If you just want to sit home and carve a jack-o-lantern, you have plenty to choose from. The census shows 40,900 acres of pumpkins were harvested in the U.S. last year, with a total estimated production value of $90.2 million.
The top six pumpkin-producing states are Illinois, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and New York.