Hallowe’en... by the numbers

2014

Friday, October 31st is Hallowe’en!

Here is a selection of statistics related to the spooky occasion.

(Last updated: October 7, 2014)


Trick or Treat!

  • 3,783,717 — The estimated number of children in Canada of prime trick-or-treating age—5 to 14 years old—in 2014, up 0.8% from 2013.
Children in Canada of prime trick-or-treating age, 1984 to 2014
Year Number of children aged 5 to 14
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 4,025,253
1997 4,061,377
1998 4,087,060
1999 4,091,769
2000 4,093,975
2001 4,097,223
2002 4,103,922
2003 4,087,317
2004 4,047,486
2005 3,989,995
2006 3,921,013
2007 3,868,350
2008 3,823,455
2009 3,789,435
2010 3,751,079
2011 3,728,597
2012 3,730,524
2013 3,752,200
2014 3,783,717

Source: CANSIM, table 051-0001.

See also: “Population projections: Canada, the provinces and territories, 2013 to 2063,” The Daily, Wednesday, September 17, 2014; “Canada's population estimates: Age and sex, 2014,” The Daily, Friday, September 26, 2014; Population by sex and age group in Summary tables, as well as the publications Population projections: Canada, the provinces and territories, 2013 to 2063,” The Daily, Wednesday, September 17, 2014; “Canada's population estimates: Age and sex, 2014,” The Daily, Friday, September 26, 2014; Population by sex and age group in Summary tables, as well as the publications Quarterly Demographic Estimates and Annual Demographic Estimates: Canada, Provinces and Territories.

  • 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.

  • 6,401 acres — The approximate land area on which pumpkins were harvested in Canada in 2013.
  • $18 million — The estimated farm-gate value of these pumpkins in 2013.
  • 51,634 tonnes — The marketed production of pumpkins in Canada in 2013.

Source: CANSIM, table 001-0013.

  • 1.6 kg — The amount of pumpkin and squash available for consumption as food per capita in Canada in 2013. (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!

  • 7.6 kg — The amount of fresh apples available for consumption as food per capita in Canada in 2013. (Data adjusted for retail, household, cooking and plate loss.)

Source: CANSIM, table 002-0011.

  • 382,001 tonnes — The marketed production of apples grown in Canada in 2013.
  • $191.3 million — The estimated farm-gate value of apples grown in Canada in 2013.

Source: CANSIM, table 001-0009.


Dressed to thrill

Dressing up for special occasions and costume parties—a big part of Hallowe’en!

Source: CANSIM, table 551-0006.

  • $47.8 million — The value of "vestments and costumes" manufactured in Canada in 2012. 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.

  • 115.3 million — The number of tickets sold at cinemas (including indoor theatres, drive-ins and film festivals) in Canada in 2012, up 4.1% from 2010.

Source: Motion Picture Theatres, 2012, released February 6, 2014.


Mummy couture

  • $337.5 million — The value of "surgical and therapeutic appliances and supplies…" manufactured in Canada in 2012. This category (3391139) includes bandages.

Source: Manufacturing and Energy Division.


R.I.P.

  • $67.7 million — The value of wood burial caskets and coffins manufactured in Canada in 2012.

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.

  • 13,961 — The total number of employees in the funeral services industry in Canada in 2013.

Source: CANSIM, table 281-0024.


Hallowe’en candy

Candy—the reward for trick or treating!

(Data are seasonally adjusted.)

  • $381.2 million — The value of monthly sales of candy, confectionery and snack foods at large retailers in October 2013. December, however, was the month with the highest monthly sales in 2013, at $450.9 million.
  • $292.1 million — The average monthly sales of candy, confectionery and snack foods at large retailers in 2013.

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.

  • 10.8% — The percentage increase in the number of criminal incidents reported to police during Hallowe’en 2013 (October 31, 2013), compared with a week earlier (October 24, 2013).
  • 54.1% — The proportion of all criminal incidents reported during Hallowe'en 2013 that were violations against property.
  • 15.9% — The proportion of all criminal incidents reported during Hallowe'en 2013 that were violations against the person.
  • 16.9% — The proportion of all criminal incidents reported during Hallowe'en 2013 that were Other Criminal Code violations.
  • 5.9% — The proportion of all criminal incidents reported during Hallowe'en 2013 that were Criminal Code Traffic violations.
  • 6.4% — The proportion of all criminal incidents reported during Hallowe'en 2013 that were Drug violations.

Source: Incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR2) Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, September 2014 extraction.


Places in Canada that may give you the creeps

Visit these places using the Census Profile and the NHS 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, Dead Point, Deadtree Point, Deception Lake, La Descente-aux-Enfers, 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, Hells Gate, Hidden Valley, Hitchcock, Isle aux Morts, Jardins-Loup-Garou, Lac-au-Sorcier, L'Anse-au-Diable, La Roche-du-Diable, L'Île-aux-Fantômes, Lonely Lake, Lost River, Magic Lake Estates, Mystic, 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, Wreck Cove.

Source: Geography Division.

See also: Census Geography.


Happy Hallowe’en!


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