A Spooktacular By The Numbers

It's Halloween -- as if you didn't know by all the pumpkins, haunted trails, and oh, all the cars packed in the parking lots of every store known to man.

Yes, it's that time again. And, yes, you should already have and . And, no, using last year's leftover candy is not ideal. Neither is grabbing the broom out of your kitchen closet and putting on any ol' black hat. Lame.

While you're contemplating sweets and what not to wear, don't forget to take part in our and house . You could be a winner, and everyone, of course, loves a winner.

For this spooktacular special day, we at Patch gathered together some tidbits to get you in the mood -- if you're not already. We bet you didn't know these things. And, well, if you did, that pretty much makes you a Halloween nerd. (Don't worry, we forgive you.)

By The Numbers:

31:

The observance of Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts and vampires. Over the years, Halloween customs and rituals have changed dramatically. Today, Halloween is celebrated many different ways, including wearing costumes, children trick or treating, carving pumpkins, and going to haunted houses and parties.

41 million:

The estimated number of potential trick-or-treaters in 2010 — children age 5 to 14 — across the United States. Of course, many other children — older than 14 and younger than 5 — also go trick-or-treating.

116.7 million:

Number of occupied housing units across the nation in 2010 — all potential stops for trick-or-treaters. 

92 percent:

Percentage of households with residents who consider their neighborhood safe. In addition, 78 percent said there was no place within a mile of their homes where they would be afraid to walk alone at night.

1.1 billion pounds:

Pumpkin production by major pumpkin-producing states in 2010.  Illinois produced an estimated 427 million pounds of the vined orange gourd.  California, New York and Ohio were also major pumpkin-producing states, each with an estimate of more than 100 million pounds.

1,177:

Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2009, employing 34,252 people. California led the nation in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with 135, followed by Pennsylvania, with 111.

409:

Number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionary products in 2009. These establishments employed 16,974 people. California led the nation in this category, with 45 establishments.

24.7 pounds:

Per capita consumption of candy by Americans in 2010.

1,719:

Number of costume rental and formal wear establishments across the nation in 2009.

Sources: United States Census Bureau and USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service