Navigating the Halloween candy aisle or scrolling through your favorite online candy shop can feel like a gamble. Are you picking out the crowd-pleasers, or will you become the house that gets silently judged by trick-or-treaters?
Knowing the popular candies in your state is essential to avoid any candy blunders this year. That’s where The Candy Store comes in. They have gathered data to help you stock up on the most sought-after sweets. No more guesswork or staring blankly at the candy aisle! Our state-by-state rankings clearly show what’s popular, allowing you to shop confidently—or at least know which candies the popular houses are handing out.
According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween candy spending is expected to reach an impressive $3.5 billion this year, a slight decline from last year. Overall, Halloween spending is projected to exceed $12.2 billion, a 5% decrease from last year. This decline is likely due to inflation.
Over the years, The Candy Store has witnessed the rise and fall of candy heroes, and that’s the excitement of exploring the cold, hard data! Their analysis covers the period from 2007 to 2023, with a special emphasis on the critical months leading up to Halloween. With their extensive reach across the U.S. and Canada, they’ve broken down candy sales by state. Thanks to the support and collaboration of major candy manufacturers and distributors, The Candy Store was able to gather this valuable information. So, which candies reign supreme in each state for Halloween? Check out the chart below for each state’s top three candy choices. And if you’re curious about the national favorites, we have a stylish graphic for that as well!
| State | Top Candy | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
| Alabama | Skittles | Hershey’s Mini Bars | Starburst |
| Alaska | Sour Patch Kids | Twix | Milky Way |
| Arkansas | Butterfinger | Jolly Ranchers | M&M’s |
| Arizona | Hershey Kisses | Sour Patch Kids | M&M’s |
| California | M&M’s | Reese’s Cups | Skittles |
| Colorado | Hershey Kisses | Milky Way | Twix |
| Connecticut | Almond Joy | Milky Way | M&M’s |
| Delaware | Sour Patch Kids | Skittles | Life Savers |
| Washington, D.C. | M&M’s | Tootsie Pops | Blow Pops |
| Florida | Reese’s Cups | Skittles | Hot Tamales |
| Georgia | Jolly Ranchers | Swedish Fish | Reese’s Cups |
| Hawaii | Hershey’s Mini Bars | Butterfinger | Skittles |
| Idaho | Snickers | Starburst | Candy Corn |
| Illinois | Sour Patch Kids | Kit Kat | Starburst |
| Indiana | Starburst | Hot Tamales | Jolly Ranchers |
| Iowa | M&M’s | Reese’s Cups | Hershey’s Mini Bars |
| Kansas | M&M’s | Sour Patch Kids | Reese’s Cups |
| Kentucky | Reese’s Cups | Hot Tamales | Swedish Fish |
| Louisiana | Lemonheads | Reese’s Cups | Salt Water Taffy |
| Maine | Sour Patch Kids | Candy Corn | Life Savers |
| Maryland | Candy Corn | Hershey’s Mini Bars | Hershey Kisses |
| Massachusetts | Butterfinger | Sour Patch Kids | Dubble Bubble Gum |
| Michigan | Starburst | Candy Corn | Butterfinger |
| Minnesota | Hot Tamales | Tootsie Pops | Skittles |
| Mississippi | 3 Musketeers | Snickers | Butterfinger |
| Missouri | Almond Joy | Milky Way | Hot Tamales |
| Montana | Twix | M&M’s | Dubble Bubble Gum |
| Nebraska | Sour Patch Kids | Salt Water Taffy | Twix |
| Nevada | Hershey’s Mini Bars | Hot Tamales | Candy Corn |
| New Hampshire | Reese’s Cups | M&M’s | Almond Joy |
| New Jersey | Tootsie Pops | M&M’s | Skittles |
| New Mexico | Hot Tamales | Candy Corn | Hershey’s Mini Bars |
| New York | Sour Patch Kids | Hot Tamales | Candy Corn |
| North Carolina | M&M’s | Reese’s Cups | Hershey’s Mini Bars |
| North Dakota | Hot Tamales | Candy Corn | Jolly Ranchers |
| Ohio | Blow Pops | M&M’s | Starburst |
| Oklahoma | Butterfinger | Dubble Bubble Gum | Skittles |
| Oregon | M&M’s | Reese’s Cups | Candy Corn |
| Pennsylvania | M&M’s | Hershey’s Mini Bars | Skittles |
| Rhode Island | Hershey’s Mini Bars | M&M’s | Dubble Bubble Gum |
| South Carolina | Butterfinger | Sour Patch Kids | Skittles |
| South Dakota | Jolly Ranchers | Starburst | Candy Corn |
| Tennessee | Snickers | Tootsie Pops | Skittles |
| Texas | Sour Patch Kids | Reese’s Cups | Starburst |
| Utah | Candy Corn | Tootsie Pops | M&M’s |
| Vermont | M&M’s | Skittles | Milky Way |
| Virginia | Butterfinger | M&M’s | Hot Tamales |
| Washington | M&M’s | Salt Water Taffy | Tootsie Pops |
| West Virginia | Hershey’s Mini Bars | Blow Pops | Almond Joy |
| Wisconsin | Butterfinger | Hot Tamales | Starburst |
| Wyoming | Reese’s Cups | Salt Water Taffy | Dubble Bubble Gum |
Top Candy Trends This Year
As the leaves change and pumpkins adorn doorsteps, a new candy hierarchy emerges. The 2024 candy trends are here, and some changes might surprise you. Here’s what’s trending in the candy world this year.
M&M’s Overtakes Reese’s Cups for the #1 Spot
In a surprising turn of events, M&M’s have overtaken Reese’s Cups as the top Halloween candy for the first time ever. The classic, colorful candy has finally claimed the crown, possibly due to its endless flavor varieties and easy-to-eat design. Move over, Reese’s—people have made their choice.
Sour Patch Kids Surge
These sour-then-sweet treats have climbed the rankings to snag the #3 spot. Both kids and adults clearly love the tangy twist, proving that not everyone craves only chocolate during Halloween.
Candy Corn Moves Up
Whether you love it or hate it, candy corn has surprisingly secured the #7 spot on this year’s overall list. This is quite unusual, given that it often ranks among the most disliked candies. Nevertheless, it seems that this divisive treat is finally getting its moment in the spotlight!
Butterfinger Breaks Into the Top Ten
Butterfinger fans, rejoice! The crunchy, peanut-buttery classic has finally secured a place in the top ten. It has claimed the number one spot in both South Carolina and Oklahoma. Its unique texture and flavor have rightfully earned it a spot among this year’s Halloween favorites.
So, what is the hot candy in Texas this year?
The survey says that Sour Patch Kids currently holds the top spot, with 973,833 sold this year. Reese’s Cups come in second, followed by Starburst in third place. So, what’s going on in Texas? Are we really boycotting chocolate for the number-one spot? What candy do people in your area prefer? Choosing the wrong one could lead to dire consequences—after all, the opposite of a treat is a trick. Just imagine streaming TP from tree limbs; hopefully, the kids in your neighborhood wouldn’t do that, but you never know what the adults might get up to.
In 2023, sour candy has become immensely popular, ensuring a delightful experience for trick-or-treaters! From tangy twists to zesty gummy bears, these lip-puckering treats are bound to impress. And we can’t overlook classic favorites like Starburst, which continue to captivate with their juicy flavors. Their chewy, fruit-infused goodness makes them a fantastic choice for your Halloween candy bowl, adding a splash of joy that everyone can enjoy! So this year, stock up on a mix of sour candies, gummy bears, and Starburst to ensure a ‘treat’ response from everyone who knocks on your door!
