HIGH POINT – The High Point University Poll finds that 65 percent of North Carolinians will be celebrating Halloween this year and 32 percent will not be celebrating. These findings are similar to a 2013 HPU Poll where 64 percent of North Carolinians said they would be celebrating Halloween.

Sixty-seven percent say they will spend the same amount of money as last year, while 15 percent will spend more and 15 percent will spend less.

For those who will celebrate, they say they plan to spend an average of $66 total, which includes money spent on costumes, decorations and candy. Sixty-six percent of celebrants say they will be spending $50 or less on the holiday.

“There is remarkable consistency between this year’s findings and those two years ago concerning who celebrates and how much they are planning to spend,” says Dr. Martin Kifer, HPU Poll director and assistant professor of political science. “When we look at our consumer sentiment numbers that we recently released, there is evidence that people are feeling OK with the current economy, but not yet enthusiastic about spending more.”

All adults – Celebrating Halloween (September/October 2015)

Do you celebrate the Halloween holiday?

Yes – 65 percent

No – 32 percent

Don’t know/refused – 2 percent

(All adult (North Carolina resident) sample surveyed September 26 – October 1, n = 446 and margin of sampling error approximately = +/- 4.6 percent)

Adults Who Celebrate – Average Spending (September/October 2015)

Some people spend a lot of time and money celebrating the Halloween holiday, others do not celebrate much at all.

Altogether how much money would you say you will spend this year on Halloween, including things like costumes, decorations, candy to give out, and food and drinks?

Average (Mean) – $66 dollars

$50 or less – 66 percent

More than $50 – 34 percent

(All adult (North Carolina resident) sample surveyed September 26 – October 1, n = 289 (who responded to this item) and margin of sampling error approximately = +/- 4.6 percent)

Adults Who Celebrate – Average Spending (September/October 2015)

Would you say that is more or less money that you spent last year?

More – 15 percent

About the same – 67 percent

Less – 15 percent

Don’t know/refused – 3 percent