Ranking the Best States for Trick-or-Treating This Halloween
The best night of the year for kids has finally come—Halloween is here. Kids are suiting up in their costumes, ready to collect all the candy they can carry.
Between the thrill of trick-or-treating and seeing the best-decorated houses on the block, families are in for a night of fun—and lots of walking. In fact, most families will walk at least a mile or two. So, from the first door to the last, KURU is here to keep your feet supported and happy.
With spooky season in full swing, it’s time to chase down the best candy-filled neighborhoods. After determining the top U.S. cities for trick-or-treating in 2022, we began to wonder which states as a whole would rank best for trick-or-treaters. Following our initial 2023 report, here’s the newest data we’ve collected for 2024.
The Top States for Trick-or-Treating in 2024
Here are the top 10 states for trick-or-treating, based on pedestrian safety (fatality rates per 100,000 people), child population within the state, Google search data for ‘Halloween’, ‘Trick-or-Treating’, and ‘Halloween candy’ (to measure demand), walkability score, and predicted temperature for Halloween 2024. In the case where two states tied, the state with fewer pedestrian deaths won and was ranked higher.
Here are the 10 states that came out on top:
- Utah
- New Jersey
- Hawaii
- Pennsylvania
- California
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Rhode Island
1. Utah
Utah claims the top spot once again. Known for its incredible skiing and stunning scenery, it also has a low pedestrian fatality rate of 1.33 per 100,000 people and almost 28% of its population is under 18. With a 60-degree Halloween evening on the horizon, you've got the perfect setting for some safe, spooky fun.
2. New Jersey
With an impressive WalkScore of 82 (the highest score in our top 10) and an average temperature of 66 degrees on Halloween night, it’s no surprise New Jersey sits at #2 on our list. Trick-or-treaters can expect a great experience in the state where saltwater taffy was invented.
3. Hawaii
Hawaii’s low pedestrian fatality rate and high search volume for Halloween-related activities ensure a safe, fun environment for trick-or-treating. Combine that with warm 86-degree weather and you’ve got the ultimate tropical hotspot for trick-or-treat adventures.
4. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has the fewest number of residents under 18 compared to the other states in our top 10. Still, with its high WalkScore, low pedestrian death rate, and perfect 68-degree forecast for Halloween night, it's a top pick for safe and enjoyable candy-collecting. Make sure to enjoy some famous Hershey’s chocolate as part of the festivities.
5. California
Halloween in California means warm nights around 76 degrees and walkable neighborhoods that achieve 69 on the WalkScore index. With 22.51% of the population under 18, it’s a prime spot for trick-or-treating—though it’s worth noting that California ranks highest in pedestrian fatalities on our list at 2.97 per 100,000 people.
6. Illinois
Not only is Illinois the largest producer of pumpkins in the U.S., but it’s also one of the best states for trick-or-treating. A stellar WalkScore of 77 and low pedestrian death rate means you've got a safe night ahead of you. Don’t forget to bundle up, though—it’s going to be a crisp 50 degrees this Halloween night.
7. Iowa
With the lowest pedestrian fatality rate in our top 10—just 0.50 people per 100,000—trick-or-treaters can focus on gathering candy without worry. Just make sure to layer up because the Hawkeye State is also set to be a chilly night.
8. Minnesota
Don’t let the 45-degree Halloween forecast scare you. Minnesota combines chilly weather with some of the safest trick-or-treating around—thanks to its low pedestrian fatality rate. With a solid WalkScore of 71 and a passion for Halloween activities evident from Google search trends, it’s clear this state knows how to do Halloween right.
9. Nebraska
Nebraska is brimming with Halloween spirit, and the numbers prove it. With the highest search volume among our top 10 states for Halloween-related topics, it's clear that residents love getting into the Halloween spirit. The night's forecast calls for a comfortable 61 degrees, providing a cool backdrop for candy-seeking. Plus, with a low pedestrian death rate of just 1.17 per 100,000 people, it's also a safe state for trick-or-treaters to hit the streets.
10. Rhode Island
Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the U.S., but it’s a giant when it comes to Googling about Halloween. With its impressively low pedestrian fatality rate of just 0.64 per 100,000 people, safety is a top priority. The 64-degree Halloween night adds to the festive vibe, making it ideal for candy-hauling. Plus, with about 19% of its population being under 18, this densely populated state is a Halloween haven you won’t want to miss.
Comparison to Last Year
Utah remains in its top position from last year, but several states have shifted in the rankings. New Jersey and Hawaii have made their way into the top three, displacing Wisconsin and Wyoming from last year's top slots. Nebraska continues to excel, holding a top position in both years.
Meanwhile, states like West Virginia and Texas, which ranked highly in 2023, have fallen out of the top 10 for 2024—making way for newcomers like Illinois and Minnesota. This year's list reflects a broader geographic distribution, with strong representation from both coastal and Midwestern states.
The Full Ranking of the Best States for Trick-or-Treaters
We’ve outlined the top 10 best states for trick-or-treating, but when you search ‘trick or treat near me,’ how does your state rank? Below is a table with all 50 states, including full data on pedestrian deaths, child population, expected high temperature for this Halloween, and Google search data from Halloween 2023.
| State | Ranking | Score out of 100 | Avg Temperature on Halloween night | Pedestrian deaths per 100k people | Average State WalkScore | Percentage of Population Under 18 y/o | Google Trends Search Data (out of 300) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | 1 | 70 | 60 | 1.33 | 59 | 27.72% | 166 |
| New Jersey | 2 | 67 | 66 | 1.98 | 82 | 21.78% | 169 |
| Hawaii | 3 | 63 | 86 | 1.94 | 66 | 21.21% | 183 |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | 63 | 68 | 1.38 | 75 | 20.63% | 158 |
| California | 5 | 62 | 76 | 2.97 | 69 | 22.51% | 77 |
| Illinois | 6 | 62 | 50 | 1.52 | 77 | 22.34% | 145 |
| Iowa | 7 | 61 | 56 | 0.5 | 45 | 22.96% | 154 |
| Minnesota | 8 | 61 | 45 | 0.75 | 71 | 22.96% | 175 |
| Nebraska | 9 | 61 | 61 | 1.17 | 48 | 24.41% | 186 |
| Rhode Island | 10 | 60 | 64 | 0.64 | 76 | 19.05% | 171 |
| Massachusetts | 11 | 59 | 63 | 1.35 | 83 | 19.46% | 150 |
| Indiana | 12 | 59 | 59 | 1.67 | 38 | 23.13% | 195 |
| Kansas | 13 | 59 | 68 | 1.09 | 35 | 23.91% | 171 |
| Maryland | 14 | 58 | 69 | 2.08 | 64 | 22.06% | 150 |
| New York | 15 | 58 | 65 | 1.54 | 88 | 21.02% | 141 |
| Colorado | 16 | 57 | 68 | 1.85 | 61 | 21.16% | 221 |
| Michigan | 17 | 57 | 55 | 1.68 | 51 | 21.45% | 170 |
| Texas | 18 | 57 | 76 | 2.65 | 41 | 24.51% | 243 |
| Idaho | 19 | 56 | 59 | 0.83 | 38 | 23.87% | 182 |
| Louisiana | 20 | 56 | 79 | 3.94 | 58 | 23.68% | 176 |
| Wisconsin | 21 | 56 | 49 | 1.22 | 62 | 21.57% | 202 |
| Delaware | 22 | 55 | 78 | 3.04 | 74 | 20.19% | 141 |
| Missouri | 23 | 55 | 63 | 2.07 | 51 | 22.35% | 111 |
| Nevada | 24 | 55 | 78 | 2.61 | 42 | 21.88% | 174 |
| Ohio | 25 | 55 | 65 | 1.36 | 41 | 22.11% | 179 |
| Washington | 26 | 55 | 54 | 1.62 | 74 | 21.45% | 197 |
| Oklahoma | 27 | 54 | 68 | 2.39 | 34 | 23.72% | 134 |
| New Hampshire | 28 | 53 | 62 | 1.15 | 51 | 18.29% | 130 |
| Georgia | 29 | 52 | 72 | 3.16 | 48 | 22.89% | 166 |
| South Dakota | 30 | 52 | 55 | 1.21 | 39 | 23.98% | 157 |
| Virginia | 31 | 52 | 73 | 1.99 | 33 | 21.63% | 141 |
| Kentucky | 32 | 51 | 67 | 2.06 | 34 | 22.45% | 132 |
| North Dakota | 33 | 51 | 47 | 0.77 | 45 | 23.69% | 170 |
| Alabama | 34 | 50 | 72 | 2.25 | 34 | 21.97% | 169 |
| Connecticut | 35 | 50 | 65 | 1.88 | 66 | 20.17% | 147 |
| Arizona | 36 | 49 | 85 | 4.01 | 41 | 21.72% | 258 |
| Wyoming | 37 | 48 | 60 | 1.2 | 36 | 22.67% | 118 |
| Arkansas | 38 | 46 | 66 | 2.59 | 33 | 22.93% | 188 |
| North Carolina | 39 | 45 | 74 | 2.4 | 26 | 21.24% | 144 |
| Oregon | 40 | 44 | 57 | 2.9 | 67 | 20.35% | 254 |
| Tennessee | 41 | 43 | 71 | 2.98 | 33 | 21.62% | 191 |
| Florida | 42 | 42 | 82 | 3.47 | 47 | 18.97% | 182 |
| Mississippi | 43 | 42 | 72 | 2.76 | 26 | 23.57% | 184 |
| South Carolina | 44 | 42 | 77 | 3.26 | 35 | 20.79% | 165 |
| West Virginia | 45 | 41 | 68 | 1.18 | 33 | 20.28% | 181 |
| Maine | 46 | 40 | 60 | 1.52 | 62 | 18.05% | 214 |
| Montana | 47 | 38 | 60 | 1.6 | 35 | 20.75% | 207 |
| New Mexico | 48 | 36 | 67 | 4.4 | 43 | 22.38% | 170 |
| Alaska | 49 | 35 | 27 | 1.77 | 31 | 24.46% | 66 |
| Vermont | 50 | 30 | 58 | 0.93 | 44 | 18.07% | 141 |
Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treating
As you and your kids venture out Halloween night, keep in mind a few tips from the National Safety Council to make your night as safe as it is memorable.
- Have an adult accompany children on their walks to help kids navigate sidewalks, dimly lit streets, and oncoming motorists.
- Opt for face paint instead of masks to help avoid obstructions in vision.
- Let kids know to wait to eat their Halloween candy until it gets inspected by an adult.
- Finally, be sure to wear enough layers to stay warm and comfortable and supportive shoes to help your feet Heel Better™ as you walk the neighborhood. Healthy feet are happy feet!
Methodology and Sources
To find the top states for trick-or-treating, we analyzed five different data points, each with a score out of 20, adding up to a total score out of 100. The data points were:
- Average WalkScore of highest population city in each state - 20 points
- Pedestrian Fatality Rate per 100,000 people in each state from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2022 (the most up-to-date data at the time of publishing) - 20 points
- Child Population Data from the Children’s Bureau, 2023 (the most up-to-date data at the time of publishing) - 20 points
- State Data Population Information from the Census Bureau
- Combined total Google Search Data for three terms: “Halloween”, “Trick-or-Treating”, and “Halloween Candy” from 10/30/2023 until 11/01/2023 - 20 points
- Average temperature predicted for October 31, 2024 per AccuWeather - 20 points
If two or more states had the same final score, the state with lower pedestrian deaths took the higher ranking position.
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