Statistics Canada
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Hallowe’en… by the numbers
2009
Saturday, October 31st is Hallowe’en!
Here are some selected facts on assorted topics related to the spooky occasion.
Trick or Treat!
3,807,039 — The number of children in Canada of prime trick-or-treating age—5 to 14 years old—in 2008. This is down from fewer than 3.9 million in 2007.
This is the lowest turnout since 1990. The number of children aged 5 to 14 last peaked in 2002 at 4,103,114.
| Children in Canada of prime trick-or-treating age, 1978 to 2008 | |
| Year | Number of children aged 5 to 14 |
|---|---|
| 1978 | 3,986,775 |
| 1979 | 3,864,749 |
| 1980 | 3,781,214 |
| 1981 | 3,729,281 |
| 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 | 3,856,834 |
| 2008 | 3,807,039 |
Source: CANSIM, table 051-0001 (Estimates of population).
See also: “Canada’s population estimates,” The Daily, Tuesday, September 29, 2009; Population by sex and age group in Summary tables, as well as the publications Quarterly Demographic Estimates and Annual Demographic Estimates.
12,435,520 — The number of private dwellings across Canada in 2006 where children might be able to nab some treats… or get into some mischief!
Source: “Population and dwelling counts,” The Daily, Tuesday, March 13, 2007.
In disguise
Dressing up for special occasions and costume parties.
2% — The percentage of households in Canada in 2006 that reported expenditures on rentals of formal wear and costumes.
Source: “Consumer goods rental industry,” The Daily, Thursday, March 20, 2008.
$57.3 million — The value of vestments and costumes manufactured in Canada in 2005.
Source: Custom data from the Annual Survey of Manufactures provided by Manufacturing and Energy Division.
Jack-o’-lanterns
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!
2,634 hectares — The estimated area of pumpkins harvested in Canada in 2009.
Source: CANSIM, Table 001-0013 (Fruit and Vegetable Survey).
2,317 — The number of farms with pumpkin patches in Canada according to the 2006 Census.
Source: 2006 Census of Agriculture.
65,840 tonnes — The amount of pumpkins and squash produced in Canada in 2008.
38,810 tonnes — The amount of pumpkins and squash imported to Canada in 2008.
Source: Canada Food Stats, 2008.
2,719 hectares — The approximate land area on which pumpkins were grown in 2008.
$12.4 million — The estimated farm value of these pumpkins in 2008.
Source: Fruit and Vegetable Production, Vol. 78 no. 1, released June 27, 2009.
1.38 kg — The amount of pumpkin and squash available for consumption as food per capita in Canada in 2008. (The data have been adjusted for retail, household, cooking and plate loss.)
Source: Food Statistics, 2008.
See also: “The Pumpkin—A Growing Vegetable,” Analysis in Brief, released October 28, 2004; “The pumpkin patch - a venture in agri-tourism,” Canadian Agriculture at a Glance.
Hallowe’en apples!
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!
6.85 kg — The average amount of fresh apples eaten by each person in Canada in 2008.
Source: Food Statistics, 2008.
393,435 tonnes — The marketed production of apples in Canada in 2008, with a farm gate value of $174.5 million.
Source: Fruit and Vegetable Production, Vol. 78 no. 1, released June 27, 2009.
Scary movies
Hallowe’en is a favourite time to watch films of the horror genre. Here are some data on movie attendance in Canada:
104.5 million — The number of tickets sold at cinemas (including indoor theatres, drive-ins and film festivals) in Canada in 2007, up from 102.9 million in 2006. Large chains continue to dominate the motion picture industry.
3.2 — The number of visits to the movies each Canadian made on average in 2007. This estimate is based on population projections for the year and the number of paid admissions to movie theatres.
4 — The number of times, on average, that residents of Alberta—the most avid movie-goers in Canada—went to the movies in 2007.
Source: Motion Picture Theatres, 2007.
$1.5 billion — The operating revenue for the video tape and disc rental industry in 2006, down 1.3% from 2005. This drop can be explained, in part, by the growing popularity of alternatives such as video on demand, the internet and purchasing (rather than renting) DVDs and videos.
$83 — The average spending on the rental of videotapes, DVDs and video games in 2007.
Source: “Consumer goods rental industry,” The Daily, Thursday, March 20, 2008; Survey of Household Spending, 2007.
A vampire’s favourite hangout
A final resting place.
$117.1 million — The estimated value of wood coffins and caskets manufactured in Canada in 2006.
Source: Custom data from the Annual Survey of Manufactures provided by Manufacturing and Energy Division.
3% — The proportion of households in Canada (fewer than 400,000 households) that reported expenses on funeral services, cemetery plots and upkeep, and tombstones in 2007.
Source: Survey of Household Spending, 2007.
Quiet professionals
Between 1996 and 2006, the number of female funeral directors and embalmers in Canada nearly doubled.
4,600 — The number of funeral directors and embalmers in Canada in 2006. Of this number, 3,235 were men and 1,365 were women.
3,735 — The number of funeral directors and embalmers in Canada 10 years earlier, in 1996. Of this number, 3,015 were men and 720 were women.
Source: 2006 Census, Occupation.
Hallowe’en candy
What would Hallowe’en be without all that candy?
$317 million — The spike in monthly sales of candy, confectionery and snack foods sales at large retailers in October 2008. December, however, was the month with the highest monthly sales in 2008, at $394 million.
$255 million — The average monthly sales of candy, confectionery and snack foods at large retailers in 2008.
Source: CANSIM, table 080-0009, (Monthly Survey of Large Retailers).
Scary statistics
Try not to eat too much of that candy….
6th — The rank of diabetes among the 10 leading causes of death in 2005.
Source: Table 1—Ten leading Causes of death, Canada, 2004 and 2005, in Leading causes of death in Canada, 2005, released March 31, 2009.
6 out of 10 — The approximate number of deaths attributed to cancer, heart disease and stroke in 2005.
Source: “Leading Causes of Death,” The Daily, Tuesday, March 31, 2009.
228,079 — The number of deaths in Canada in 2006.
Source: Deaths: Highlights.
Zombies
These people are not really zombies… but close!
3.3 million — The estimated number of Canadians aged 15 or older—about one in every seven—who had problems going to sleep or staying asleep (insomnia) in 2002.
Source: “Study: Insomnia,” The Daily, Wednesday, November 16, 2005.
Tricksters
We don’t know if these delinquent acts were committed at Hallowe’en….
1 out of 5 — The proportion of middle-school students in Toronto who reported that they had committed at least one delinquent act in 2006.
Findings from the International Youth Survey also suggest that a relatively small proportion of the young people were responsible for a high number of repeated delinquent acts. Delinquency, as defined in this report, refers to all behaviours explicitly set out in the Criminal Code of Canada.
Source: “Study: Self-reported delinquency among young people in Toronto,” The Daily, Tuesday, September 25, 2007.
Devil’s night
There is a general increase in the number of criminal incidents reported to police at Hallowe’en (compared with the previous week).
Note: Data are provided by 155 police services representing 98% of the population of Canada.
49% — The proportion of all criminal incidents reported during Hallowe'en 2008 that were violations against property.
18% — The proportion of all criminal incidents reported during Hallowe'en 2008 that were violations against the person.
20% — The percentage increase in violent offences, such as robbery, aggravated assault, assaults causing bodily harm and assaults against police officers, reported during Hallowe'en 2008 compared to a week earlier (i.e. October 24, 2008).
11% — The percentage increase in property violations, including general mischief and arson, reported to police during Hallowe'en 2008 compared to a week earlier (i.e. October 24, 2008).
53% — The percentage increase in drug violations reported to police during Hallowe'en 2008 compared to a week earlier (i.e. October 24, 2008).
0% — The percentage change in Criminal Code traffic violations reported during Hallowe'en 2008 compared to a week earlier (i.e. October 24, 2008).
24% — The percentage increase in Other Criminal Code violations, such as weapons-related offences, public morals and disturbing the peace, reported during Hallowe'en 2008 compared to a week earlier (i.e. October 24, 2008).
Source: Incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR2) Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics.
Witches and worshippers of Satan
An opportunity to celebrate spiritualism and the occult.
850 — The number of Canadians who reported that they were Satanists in 2001. This was up from 340 in 1991.
9,575 — The number of Canadians who reported their religion as "Wicca" in 2001.
Source: 2001 and 1991 Census, Religion.
Witch’s transportation
Whether used for flying or cleaning, brooms (and mops and dusters) sure come in handy—especially where there are cobwebs!
$84.9 million — The value of Brooms, mops, and dusters manufactured in Canada in 2007.
Source: Custom data from the Annual Survey of Manufactures provided by Manufacturing and Energy Division.
Places in Canada that may give you the creeps
Visit these places using 2006 Community Profiles… 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: GeoSearch2006; the Media Room’s Local data page.
Happy Hallowe’en!
For more information about this page or for help conjuring up more data, don’t be afraid to contact Media Relations.
