With maps and charts already dominating our screens this fall, we thought it would be fun to highlight another important decision: Candy!
Halloween 2024 is just around the corner, and every state has a favorite candy that fills trick-or-treat bags. Wondering which Halloween candy is most popular in your state? We’ve got the answers, based on data from Instacart, showcasing the top-selling Halloween candies by state.
The Top 10 Halloween Candies
When it comes to Halloween, chocolate reigns supreme. According to Instacart data, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Peanut M&M’S, and regular M&M’S were the top Halloween candies in 2022. In 2024, these fan favorites are expected to continue dominating Halloween candy bowls across the country. Other top contenders include Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, KitKat, and Tootsie Pops, ensuring there’s something for everyone — whether you love chocolate or fruity treats. Sour Patch Kids and Starburst are also holding strong, and love it or hate it, Candy Corn made the list too. This mix of classics and fruity faves shows that Halloween is truly a holiday for every taste!
How the numbers were compiled: Instacart identified the most uniquely popular candies by analyzing the difference in candy sales by weight in October 2022 for each state in comparison to the national average.
Swing States of Sweets: Candy Preferences by State 🍭
Across the U.S., the Instacart 2022 candy map showcases some interesting trends. While many states are all-in for chocolate favorites, a few states prefer a more unique treat. California and Nevada, for example, opt for Red Vines, while Hawaii and Texas have chosen Ferrero Rocher. Meanwhile, states like Virginia, North Carolina, and Mississippi are keeping it controversial with their love of Candy Corn! We don't get it either.
Here are a few highlights from this sugary landscape:
- Florida prefers Dum-Dums, keeping things light and sweet.
- Texas and Hawaii are all in for Ferrero Rocher’s hazelnut goodness — a fancy upgrade for the Halloween candy stash!
- Sour Patch Kids reigned supreme in just one state: Rhode Island, where they must prefer their candy with a little extra zing.
Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of the most popular Halloween candies, according to Instacart’s sales data from 2022:
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The Sweet Tooth Turnout: Candy Consumption Rankings
Meanwhile, if you are a kid in Utah count yourself lucky: Utah took the top spot for candy consumption in 2022 according to the Instacart stats. Utahns bought the most candy per customer, followed by Montana, Alaska, and Wyoming. These states are clearly serious about their Halloween treats! On the other end of the spectrum, Hawaii and Washington, D.C., bought the least candy — perhaps saving room for tropical fruits or other local goodies.
A "Sweet" Forecast for 2024 🍫
As Halloween 2024 approaches, it’s clear that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, M&M’s, and other popular candies will continue to be top choices for trick-or-treaters. Whether you’re handing out chocolate or something fruity, the excitement for Halloween candy is always high. While we may have our sweet tooth differences, at least this decision about Halloween candy is guaranteed to be a little less divisive than others we'll be facing this fall. Stay sweet and enjoy your Halloween!
This article was created with a little help from ChatGPT, an AI tool by OpenAI.
