The ‘most popular’ Halloween candy in every state, according to online sales data (2024)

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(NEXSTAR) – Which kinds of hardened candy residue will your child’s dentist be scraping from their teeth at the next visit?

Well, it might depend on where you live.

CandyStore.com, an online candy retailer specializing in wholesale and bulk orders, has sought to determine the “most popular” Halloween candies in each state, based largely on the past 16 years of the company’s sales data in the months leading up to Halloween. Distributors and manufacturers who work with CandyStore.com also “chipped in” to provide additional stats, according to CandyStore’s analysts.

While the top candies vary from state to state, CandyStore estimates that Reese’s Cups, M&Ms and Hot Tamales are the country’s three “most popular” candies overall (and in that order) based on sales per pound between 2007 and 2022.

But which sweets, specifically, might your local dentist find lodged between your children’s sensitive, especially vulnerable teeth in the coming months? Take a look below at the “most popular” candies in each state, as determined by CandyStore.com.

StateTop Candy2nd Place3rd Place
AlabamaSkittlesStarburstHershey’s Mini Bars
AlaskaTwixSour Patch KidsMilky Way
ArizonaHershey KissesHot TamalesSnickers
ArkansasButterfingerJolly RanchersM&M’s
CaliforniaM&M’sReese’s CupsSkittles
ColoradoMilky WayHershey KissesTwix
ConnecticutAlmond JoyMilky WayM&M’s
DelawareSour Patch KidsSkittlesLife Savers
FloridaReese’s CupsSkittlesHot Tamales
GeorgiaJolly RanchersSwedish FishReese’s Cups
HawaiiHershey’s Mini BarsSkittlesButterfinger
IdahoSnickersStarburstCandy Corn
IllinoisSour Patch KidsKit KatStarburst
IndianaStarburstHot TamalesJolly Ranchers
IowaReese’s CupsM&M’sHershey’s Mini Bars
KansasM&M’sSour Patch KidsReese’s Cups
KentuckyReese’s CupsHot TamalesSwedish Fish
LouisianaLemonheadsReese’s CupsBlow Pops
MaineSour Patch KidsCandy CornStarburst
MarylandHershey KissesHershey’s Mini BarsReese’s Cups
MassachusettsButterfingerSour Patch KidsDubble Bubble Gum
MichiganStarburstCandy CornButterfinger
MinnesotaHot TamalesTootsie PopsSkittles
Mississippi3 MusketeersSnickersButterfinger
MissouriAlmond JoyMilky WayHot Tamales
MontanaTwixM&M’sDubble Bubble Gum
NebraskaSour Patch KidsSalt Water TaffyTwix
NevadaHershey’s Mini BarsHot TamalesHershey Kisses
New HampshireReese’s CupsM&M’sStarburst
New JerseyTootsie PopsM&M’sSkittles
New MexicoHot TamalesCandy CornHershey’s Mini Bars
New YorkSour Patch KidsHot TamalesCandy Corn
North CarolinaM&M’sReese’s CupsHershey’s Mini Bars
North DakotaHot TamalesCandy CornJolly Ranchers
OhioBlow PopsM&M’sStarburst
OklahomaSkittlesDubble Bubble GumSnickers
OregonM&M’sReese’s CupsCandy Corn
PennsylvaniaHershey’s Mini BarsM&M’sSkittles
Rhode IslandM&M’sTwixCandy Corn
South CarolinaSkittlesButterfingerCandy Corn
South DakotaStarburstJolly RanchersCandy Corn
TennesseeTootsie PopsSalt Water TaffySkittles
TexasSour Patch KidsReese’s CupsStarburst
UtahCandy CornTootsie PopsM&M’s
VermontM&M’sSkittlesMilky Way
VirginiaButterfingerM&M’sHot Tamales
DCM&M’sTootsie PopsBlow Pops
WashingtonTootsie PopsSalt Water TaffyM&M’s
West VirginiaHershey’s Mini BarsBlow PopsHot Tamales
WisconsinButterfingerHot TamalesStarburst
WyomingReese’s CupsSalt Water TaffyDubble Bubble Gum

No matter which candy might be most popular in your neck of the woods, there’s likely to be plenty to go around: The National Retail Federation estimates consumer spending for Halloween candy to reach approximately $3.6 billion in 2023 — around a half-billion more than in 2022.

More information, includingan interactive map and additional candy-centric stats, can be found at CandyStore.com.

The ‘most popular’ Halloween candy in every state, according to online sales data (2024)

FAQs

What is the #1 selling Halloween candy in the US? ›

1. Reese's Cups. The classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate. It's simple yet mouthwatering for adults and children alike.

What is the most popular Halloween candy in the United States answer key? ›

What is the most popular Halloween candy in the U.S.?
  • Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
  • M&M's.
  • Hot Tamales.
  • Skittles.
  • Sour Patch Kids.
  • Starburst.
  • Hershey's Kisses.
  • Candy corn.
Oct 19, 2023

What is the most popular Halloween candy survey? ›

Nearly three in ten Americans say Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are their favorite Halloween candy (29 percent). This is consistent across party lines, including 29 percent of Democrats, 28 percent of independents, and 28 percent of Republicans.

What is the top 3 Halloween candy? ›

The top ten most popular candy in 2023 according to CandyStore.com is as follows:
  1. Reeses Cups.
  2. M&Ms. ...
  3. Hot Tamales. ...
  4. Skittles. ...
  5. Sour Patch Kids. ...
  6. Starburst.
  7. Hershey Kisses. ...
  8. Candy Corn.
Oct 27, 2023

What is the most popular Halloween candy in America according to Forbes? ›

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are the country's favorite Halloween candy, especially beloved in California, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina and Wyoming, where they are No. 1.

What is the #1 candy in the United States? ›

Snickers is the top-selling candy bar in the United States and is produced by Mars, Inc. This classic chocolate bar is made with nougat, caramel, and peanuts, and it has been a favourite among Americans since its introduction in 1930. M&M's are small, candy-coated chocolates that are produced by Mars, Inc.

What candy is eaten the most on Halloween? ›

The Top 10 Most Popular Halloween Candies

Chocolate over everything: Year after year, [they] see Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Peanut M&M's, and regular M&M's at the top of the list, proving we all love chocolate. Following the top three, Hershey's Chocolate comes in sixth, followed by ninth place Kit Kat.

What is the least popular Halloween candy in America? ›

Don't be THAT house: America's least-favorite Halloween candies
RankCandyPercentage of Surveyed Individuals who Dislike
1Jawbreakers31.0%
2Candy Corn24.2%
3Blow Pops19.0%
4Fun Dip18.8%
6 more rows
Oct 8, 2023

What is the #1 candy for trick or treaters? ›

Most popular Halloween candy in the U.S.

Actually, we'll gladly take the majority of these. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were voted the number one most popular Halloween candy in the nation, followed by M&M's and Hot Tamales. These are the candies that are most likely to make it into your bag.

What is the most popular Halloween candy in California? ›

The nationwide favorite is Reese's Cups, closely followed by M&M's, Hot Tamales, Skittles, and Sour Patch Kids. Candystore.com's data also highlights that Reese's Cups are the second-favorite Halloween candy in California, and Skittles are third.

What is the famous American Halloween candy? ›

Instacart reports Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Peanut M&Ms continue their reign as America's favorite Halloween candies.

What is the #1 Halloween candy sold? ›

Using sales data for the time period before Halloween, the distributor determined which candy was the most popular with the winner being: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Here are the top 10 most popular candies in America, according to CandyStore.com: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. M&Ms.

What is the most popular Halloween candy every year? ›

CandyStore.com has analyzed its sales data for the past 15 years and has determined that the top 10 Halloween candies are, in order from No. 1 to No. 10, Reese's Cups, M&M's, Hot Tamales, Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, Starburst, Hershey's Kisses, Candy Corn, Hershey's Mini Bars, and Snickers.

What is the least popular Halloween candy according to a survey by CandyStore com? ›

Anyone looking for a “trick” in exchange for their “treats” should absolutely buy up all the Circus Peanuts they can get their hands on. According to candystore.com's annual survey, these orange, peanut-shaped sugar nuggets are the most reviled Halloween candy in the United States.

What is America's least favorite Halloween candy? ›

According to the study, Americans hate to receive candy corn the most on Halloween. However, it's not that sticky treat that's the most dangerous to eat on Halloween. The Jawbreaker is actually the top candy Americans admitted to not eating because of its potential dental impacts.

Which US state eats the most candy? ›

Looking at each state's candy-buying habits, Utah took the number one spot with the highest share of candy purchases. Idaho, Alaska, Montana, and Washington rounded out the top five. Nationally, 82% of Americans partake in purchasing candy for the Halloween season.

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