This Is the Most Popular Halloween Candy in Your State
The weather is getting cooler, creepy decorations are filling up the shelves at stores, and pumpkin-flavored everything is back on the menu at restaurants around the country. Of course, that can only mean one thing: Halloween is fast approaching.
However, when it comes to Halloween candy, not all treats are created equal. A new survey from Zippia reveals the most popular Halloween treats in the U.S., so read on to discover which candy is the most sought-after in your state.
And if you want to make some better choices after the candy-filled holiday, check out the 100 Healthiest Foods on the Planet.
Alabama
Favorite Halloween candy: Skittles
If you live in Alabama, make sure to load up on Skittles if you're buying candy for trick-or-treaters this Halloween. The state is one of three to prefer the colorful candy.
RELATED: This State Eats the Most Candy
Alaska
Favorite Halloween candy: Milky Way
The most popular candy in Alaska is none other than a Milky Way bar. The state is one of two that likes the chocolate-coated candy bar the best.
Arizona
Favorite Halloween candy: Kit Kat
While Starburst was the most popular candy on Zippia's list last year, this year, Kit Kat took the crown. A total of five states claim the crunchy candy bar as its top Halloween treat.
Arkansas
Favorite Halloween candy: Skittles
Alabama isn't alone in loving Skittles. It was also voted the most beloved candy in Arkansas.
California
Favorite Halloween candy: Jolly Rancher Hard Candy
What does the biggest state on the West Coast prefer when it comes to Halloween treats? A western-themed candy, of course!
Colorado
Favorite Halloween candy: Black Licorice
If you think nobody's eager to get black licorice in their treat bag this Halloween, think again. It was named the most popular Halloween candy in Colorado—and yes, they're the only state to say so.
Connecticut
Favorite Halloween candy: Kit Kat
The Constitution State's full of chocoholics, it would seem! Much like Arizonans, Connecticuters are crazy for Kit Kats.
Delaware
Favorite Halloween candy: Smarties
If you're in Delaware, make sure you've got plenty of Smarties on hand this Halloween. Delaware was the only state in the nation to call these chalky candies their favorites.
Florida
Favorite Halloween candy: Jolly Rancher Hard Candy
California's not alone in thinking Jolly Ranchers are the crème de la crème—the Sunshine State seems to agree!
Georgia
Favorite Halloween candy: Skittles
Handing out peach rings in Georgia might be a little too on the nose. Instead, make sure to load up on Skittles if you're handing out candy to trick-or-treaters in the Peach State.
Hawaii
Favorite Halloween candy: Crunch Bar
Hawaii is unique in many ways—and its residents' favorite candy is no exception. The Aloha State is the only one in the nation to think Crunch bars are Halloween's top treat.
Idaho
Favorite Halloween candy: Dum Dums
Make sure you've got lots of lollipops on hand if you're passing out candy in Idaho. The Gem State is one of three that loves this classic candy.
Illinois
Favorite Halloween candy: AirHeads
AirHeads may have been originally created in Kentucky, but their popularity is widespread. In fact, they're the most popular candy in this Midwestern state.
Indiana
Favorite Halloween candy: Peanut M&Ms
Want to make trick-or-treaters in Indiana happy? Then make sure you've got plenty of Peanut M&Ms to hand out. Indiana isn't alone in thinking they're a top-tier confection, however: Zippia reports that, with sales of $712 million, M&Ms earned more revenue in the U.S. than any other candy company in 2020.
Iowa
Favorite Halloween candy: Tootsie Pop
Dum Dums aren't the only popular lollipops this year, it would seem. Iowa was one of two states to call Tootsie Pops their fave.
Kansas
Favorite Halloween candy: Peanut M&Ms
Indianans aren't the only ones with a penchant for Peanut M&Ms. The crunchy candy is the most popular treat among Kansas residents, too.
Kentucky
Favorite Halloween candy: 100 Grand Bar
You can't go wrong with a classic in Kentucky, it would seem. The state's favorite Halloween candy is the 100 Grand Bar, first produced in 1964.
Louisiana
Favorite Halloween candy: Starburst
Starburst was the most popular candy in the U.S. on Zippia's list last year, and it's still the top treat in Louisiana. Surprisingly, however, Louisiana was the only state where Starburst was the most popular treat this year.
Maine
Favorite Halloween candy: Dum Dums
Idaho isn't alone in its passion for Dum Dums. Maine also seems to consider the lollipops a particularly welcome treat.
Maryland
Favorite Halloween candy: Kit Kat
The Old Line State is one of five states that call Kit Kats their favorite Halloween candy. While it may be popular in the U.S., the candy actually hails from England!
Massachusetts
Favorite Halloween candy: Twix
While Massachusetts was once home to Necco, one of the most famous candy brands in the U.S., Twix—a Mars confection—earned the top spot in the state.
Michigan
Favorite Halloween candy: Kit Kat
If you're breaking off a piece of that Kit Kat bar, hand one to your favorite Michigander. The state is one of five that loves this crunchy treat above all others.
Minnesota
Favorite Halloween candy: Twix
It seems Massachusetts isn't alone in its passion for Twix. Minnesotans also give the chocolate and caramel confection high praise.
Mississippi
Favorite Halloween candy: Dum Dums
Mississippi rounds out the trifecta of states that call Dum Dums their favorite Halloween candy. The brand has had plenty of time to build its audience, too—Dum Dums were first produced in the U.S. in 1924.
Missouri
Favorite Halloween candy: 100 Grand Bar
Kentucky isn't alone in thinking 100 Grand Bars are the cream of the crop, it appears. The treat is also the most popular candy in Missouri and one other state.
Montana
Favorite Halloween candy: Baby Ruth
Residents of Montana just can't get enough of the peanut-caramel-nougat-and-chocolate combo of a classic Baby Ruth bar. And what a fitting present for the candy's 100th birthday this year!
Nebraska
Favorite Halloween candy: Tootsie Pop
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? Just ask a Nebraskan!
Nevada
Favorite Halloween candy: Nerds
It may not be nice to call someone a nerd but handing out Nerds this Halloween is a different story. The crunchy, colorful candy earned high marks in Nevada, one of two states to consider it their top treat.
New Hampshire
Favorite Halloween candy: Milky Way
It seems New Hampshire residents want an out-of-this-world experience when it comes to their candy. The state joins Alaska in considering Milky Way the best candy there is.
New Jersey
Favorite Halloween candy: Sour Patch Kids
Want your house to be the most popular one on the block? If you live in the Garden State, loading up on Sour Patch Kids might just be the way to do it.
New Mexico
Favorite Halloween candy: Kit Kat
New Mexico is the last of five states to call Kit Kat its favorite Halloween candy, making it one of the two most popular candies in the nation this year, along with Twix.
New York
Favorite Halloween candy: Reese's Pieces
New Yorkers are notoriously hard to please. Luckily, there's an easy way to get Empire Staters to come around this Halloween: just hand out Reese's Pieces!
North Carolina
Favorite Halloween candy: Twix
Twix is a relatively new entrant to the candy market, having only been introduced in the U.S. in 1979. However, it's gained a rabid following since then, with North Carolina numbering among five states that consider Twix its top treat.
North Dakota
Favorite Halloween candy: Whoppers
Originally called Giants, the candies now known as Whoppers were first produced in the U.S. in 1939. The malted milk balls were bought by Hershey in 1996 and their popularity has continued to soar—especially in North Dakota, it would seem!
Ohio
Favorite Halloween candy: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are a classic Halloween treat. The iconic brand has gotten into the Halloween spirit in recent years by offering the beloved candy in several spooky forms, from pumpkins to ghosts to bats to half-green Frankencups!
Oklahoma
Favorite Halloween candy: Circus Peanuts
If you've ever wondered who those Circus Peanuts in candy variety bags are for, there's finally an answer. Apparently, Oklahomans just can't get enough of the fluffy orange candy.
Oregon
Favorite Halloween candy: 100 Grand Bar
From Portland to Prineville, Clackamas to Central Point, Oregonians can't get enough of 100 Grand Bars at Halloween.
Pennsylvania
Favorite Halloween candy: Good & Plenty
Want to get in good with your neighbors in Pennsylvania? Then make sure to have plenty of Good & Plenty on hand this Halloween!
Rhode Island
Favorite Halloween candy: Heath Bar
The smallest state in the nation has a big appetite for chocolate! Rhode Island stands out as the only state that calls Heath Bars its favorite candy.
South Carolina
Favorite Halloween candy: Sour Patch Kids
Zippia's research found that the U.S. was pretty divided in terms of candy preference, with 28 states preferring chocolates and 22 preferring gummies, fruit-flavored candies, and other non-chocolate treats. You can definitely count South Carolina among the latter group!
South Dakota
Favorite Halloween candy: Snickers
Snickers numbered fourth on Zippia's list of biggest candy brands in the U.S., raking in $394 million in sales in 2020 alone. However, South Dakota was the only state to claim it as its most beloved candy this Halloween!
Tennessee
Favorite Halloween candy: Runts
Residents of Tennessee have some unique taste when it comes to satisfying their craving for sweets. The state was alone in calling Runts its favorite Halloween treat.
Texas
Favorite Halloween candy: Jolly Rancher Hard Candy
Texas is known for its cattle ranches, and it seems the state loves candies that live up to its cowboy image. The Lone Star state is one of three that consider Jolly Ranchers the best treat out there.
Utah
Favorite Halloween candy: Twix
There's no denying Twix's popularity in Utah and beyond: the candy earned $297 million in U.S. in 2020 alone, according to Zippia.
Vermont
Favorite Halloween candy: 3 Musketeers
While Vermont is the only state to call 3 Musketeers its favorite Halloween candy, there's still plenty of love for this treat throughout the U.S. In 2020 alone, $187 million worth of the candy was sold in the States.
Virginia
Favorite Halloween candy: Reese's Pieces
While New York and Virginia may differ in many ways, they've got one thing in common: their love for Reese's Pieces!
Washington
Favorite Halloween candy: Nerds
Both Nevada and Washington heralded Nerds as the top Halloween treat this year. It seems the candy company has Halloween on the mind, too—it just rolled out a new candy corn this year!
West Virginia
Favorite Halloween candy: Candy Corn
Candy corn is a polarizing product: people either love it or hate it with a passion. It seems that residents of West Virginia fall into the former camp—the state's the only one giving the candy such high praise this year.
Wisconsin
Favorite Halloween candy: Twix
Wisconsin may be the birthplace of a number of beloved local confections, including Cowpies, but it wasn't one of the state's classic offerings that earned top marks. Instead, Wisconsinites prefer a different type of chocolatey treat: Twix!
Wyoming
Favorite Halloween candy: Swedish Fish
Wyoming boasts the lowest population density in the U.S., but its 581,000 residents seem to have one thing in common: a love for Swedish Fish, the state's most popular candy this year.
If you want to make healthier choices this Halloween, check out The Worst Candies You Should Never Eat, and for more healthy eating news delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter!
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