M&M’s ranks as the most popular Halloween candy nationally in CandyStore.com’s 2026 projection, but there is no single state-by-state answer that measures everyone’s preferences. The map ranks candy by projected pounds sold, using Halloween-season sales history through 2025—not a survey and not a count of 2026 purchases.
What is the most popular Halloween candy in each state?
CandyStore.com’s 2026 map names one leading candy for each state. It also includes Washington, D.C. in the state-by-state map. The results are sales-based projections, so “most popular” here means the candy the publisher projects will lead by weight—not necessarily the candy most residents say they like.
The source’s current page was updated September 30, 2026. Its projection draws on 18 years of Halloween candy sales, from 2008 through 2025, with more weight given to recent seasons. CandyStore.com says its data combines its own bulk orders with information shared by candy manufacturers and distributors.
How to read the map
- It is a projection for the 2026 season. It is not a tally of candy sold during 2026.
- The measure is pounds sold. That lets the publisher compare candy sold in differently sized pieces by total weight.
- It is not a poll. The methodology does not use survey votes or search trends.
- The national and state rankings answer different questions. The national list aggregates projected pounds for candies that placed in each state’s top three; a state win counts how many states have a particular candy at number one.
What ranks first nationally in the 2026 projection?
CandyStore.com’s national ranking puts M&M’s first, Sour Patch Kids second, and Skittles third. M&M’s and Sour Patch Kids each take first place in ten states. Those state-win counts do not make them tied in the national ranking: the national order is based on projected pounds accumulated from state top-three finishes.
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- Mixed Fruit Flavors: Includes assorted candy like sour, gummies, taffies, hard candies. Random Assortment Variety Pack
- Individually Wrapped Candy: Each piece is wrapped for freshness and easy sharing. The exact mix of candies may vary.
- Bulk Candy Assortment: 2 lb bag with a variety of candies to please any crowd
- Fun Halloween Candy: Great for parties, trick or treating, or Halloween decorations
- Made in the USA: Candy is proudly made in the United States
NERDS Gummy Clusters is a new entry in the national top ten, at number five. CandyStore.com says it places in the top three in seven states and wins Indiana.
Why does an older list give different state winners?
Vogue published its original article, “This Is the Most Popular Halloween Candy in Every State,” on October 3, 2018. It credited CandyStore with using a decade of customer data and listed one winner for each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. That dated list named Candy Corn in Alabama and Skittles in California. It should be treated as a 2018 snapshot, not as the current map.
Rank #2
- Stress Free Party Prep; ready to pour and serve assortment; quick fill for goodie bags, pinatas, and treat bowls; ideal for busy hosts and classroom organizers
- Cleaner Sharing Anywhere; individually wrapped pieces for grab and go convenience; cleaner candy service for classrooms, offices, and events; easy handouts with less mess
- Fun Size Variety Everyone Reaches For; gummies, taffy chews, hard candies, and lollipops; mix of textures and flavors so more people find a favorite; keeps bowls and buffets interesting
- Approx. 100 Pieces In 2 Pounds; dependable coverage for parties and busy weeks; fewer refills for candy jars, reception bowls, and reward bins; simple to store between events
- Made For Holiday Moments; stocking stuffer filler, parade throws, trick or treat handouts, birthdays, and school celebrations; easy to set on dessert tables and favor stations; a simple win for any gathering
When two “most popular” lists disagree, check their year, geography, and measurement. A sales-by-weight projection, a preference survey, search interest, and delivery orders track different things; one cannot be substituted for another without changing the claim.
What candy should you buy for trick-or-treaters?
If you are preparing handouts, an individually wrapped assorted candy bag is a practical option when you want to offer variety. CandyStore.com specifically discusses individually wrapped bulk candy as a handout choice. That is shopping advice, not a claim that an assortment tops the ranking in any state. If you want a single example tied to the current national projection, M&M’s ranks first nationally.
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Rank #3
- One variety pack with 80 treat-size bags of SOUR PATCH KIDS Watermelon, SOUR PATCH KIDS Original, and SWEDISH FISH Mini Soft & Chewy Halloween Candy
- SOUR PATCH KIDS gummy snacks in kid shapes with assorted fruit flavors and fun watermelon slices with an intense watermelon flavor, for a SOUR THEN SWEET candy with a blast to your taste buds that's SOUR. SWEET. GONE.
- SWEDISH FISH candy with signature red gummy fish shape in a mini size for a classic sweet snack swimming in fruit flavor
- Sour gummies and sweet candy fish in treat-size snack packs that make great Halloween party favors and game prizes; wonderful Halloween treats to snack on during a scary movie night
- Halloween candies in individual snack packs to toss in trick or treat bags
Sources and limits
- CandyStore.com, “The Most Popular Halloween Candy by State in 2026” — methodology, state results, and national projection; updated September 30, 2026.
- Vogue, “This Is the Most Popular Halloween Candy in Every State” — the historical article published October 3, 2018.
CandyStore.com reports the method used for its map, but the cited material does not provide an independent audit or raw state-level dataset. The results are best understood as the publisher’s sales-based projection, not a definitive measure of what every person in a state prefers.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- HALLOWEEN CANDY: Contains one (1) 115-piece, 35.93-ounce bulk variety bag with HERSHEY'S chocolate bars, REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups, KIT KAT, ROLO, WHOPPERS and MILK DUDS.
- HALLOWEEN PARTY FAVORS: Satisfy everyone's taste buds with this mixture of halloween candy sweet treats during family get-togethers, tailgates, movie nights and campfires
- HALLOWEEN CANDY VARIETY PACK: Includes 115 individually wrapped kosher halloween candy for sharing with all your favorite people
- GREAT FOR TRICK OR TREATING: Use this halloween candy bulk Hershey assortment for trick or treat bags and Halloween party favor bags
- PERFECT FOR HALLOWEEN CANDY BOWLS: Put out these terrifyingly delicious, assorted peanut butter and milk chocolate halloween candy at your ghostly Halloween party and fill trick or treat bags throughout the night
Rank #4
- HALLOWEEN CANDY: Contains one (1) 275-piece, 78.24-ounce bulk variety bag with HERSHEY'S chocolate bars, REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups, KIT KAT, ROLO, WHOPPERS and MILK DUDS.
- HALLOWEEN PARTY FAVORS: Satisfy everyone's taste buds with this mixture of halloween candy sweet treats during family get-togethers, tailgates, movie nights and campfires
- HALLOWEEN CANDY VARIETY PACK: Includes 275 individually wrapped kosher halloween candy for sharing with all your favorite people
- GREAT FOR TRICK OR TREATING: Use this halloween candy bulk Hershey assortment for trick or treat bags and Halloween party favor bags
- PERFECT FOR HALLOWEEN CANDY BOWLS: Put out these terrifyingly delicious assorted Halloween candy pieces at trick or treat and trunk or treat events
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
