When trick-or-treaters hit Mississippi streets this Halloween, they might want to bring an extra candy bucket.
The Magnolia State ranks second in the nation for Halloween candy generosity, according to a new report that says Mississippians spend more, give more and share more than nearly anyone else in the country.
The study found that the average Mississippi household spends about $59 on candy, the fourth-highest total in the United States. About 85% of residents say they hand out treats to children each year, and two-thirds even share goodies with adults. On average, Mississippi homes greet about 38 trick-or-treaters each Halloween night.
And for grown-ups tagging along, there’s even more to smile about. Mississippi ranks sixth in the nation for handing out treats to adults during trick-or-treating. The study alleges that one in six candy homes offers beverages to parents on Halloween night too.
The study, at solitaired.com, says Mississippi has a generosity score of 91.81 out of 100.
“In this southern state, trick-or-treating is full of more than just candy as nearly 1 in 4 residents say they give out a mix of candy and non-candy items like glow sticks and toys,” the study says.
Still, not everyone keeps the porch light on. About 28% of Mississippians admit they’ve pretended not to be home to avoid trick-or-treaters, and that’s still a number that’s actually lower than the national average.
Nationally, 55% of Americans say it’s important to be known as the “good candy house,” while one in five skip handing out candy altogether, often citing cost or lack of trick-or-treaters.
The most generous states overall are West Virginia, Mississippi and Georgia, while North Carolina, Oregon and Iowa were the stingiest.
With mild weather, porch lights glowing and plenty of candy to go around, Mississippi looks ready to make Halloween 2025 one sweet night for ghosts, goblins and grown-ups alike.
