Richmond's great Halloween candy divide
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Halloween on Hanover in 2024. The crowd was even bigger last year. Photo: Sabrina Moreno/Axios
Some Richmond-area residents are buying less candy this Halloween or rationing treats. Others are stocking up on more than 1,000 pieces.
Why it matters: Candy prices are soaring, and how much Richmonders need to buy depends a lot on where they live, Axios' reader survey found.
By the numbers: More than a third of the 182 survey respondents said they're buying less candy, switching to cheaper brands or giving out fewer pieces per kid.
- Another 45% said rising prices aren't affecting their Halloween plans.
- Nearly two-thirds expected to spend $50 or less on candy this year, while a quarter budgeted $51 to $100.
- And of the four respondents who plan to spend more than $200, three live in Richmond.
The intrigue: One Henrico resident said they're buying two-thirds of their usual amount and swapping some chocolate for cheaper fruit snacks, while a Chesterfield resident switched from full-size candy bars to fun-size treats.
Zoom out: Halloween candy prices at major retailers have jumped 71% since 2021, with a 100-piece bag averaging nearly $17, per a FinanceBuzz analysis.
The big picture: With Halloween falling on Saturday, some residents are stocking up for bigger crowds, while others are wondering whether anyone will show up.
- In Richmond's Museum District, one newcomer heard they'll need 1,000 pieces of candy to survive Halloween night.
- A resident on Hanover Avenue — which is known for its annual trick-or-treating block party — said they hand out more than 1,200 pieces every year.
- In Chesterfield, another respondent said their neighborhood attracts at least 500 trick-or-treaters annually.
The other side: Not everyone is seeing those crowds.
- Sue L., a Southside resident, said trick-or-treaters have dwindled every year, leaving them with leftover candy.
- Five respondents blamed the growing popularity of trunk-or-treat events or families flocking toward popular Halloween streets for fewer children knocking on their doors.
The bottom line: One Hanover resident has a bigger concern than rising candy prices: Who's going to eat all the leftovers now that their kids have moved out?