The States That Grow The Most Pumpkins & Fun Facts

As October rolls in, it’s time to celebrate Halloween, pumpkins, and the joys of fall.

Every year, Americans indulge in fall festivities, splurging on costumes, candy, and all things spooky. And let’s not forget the highlight of the season, the pumpkin. Nearly half of all Americans will carve a Jack O’Lantern this year, with many more enjoying pumpkin pies and the beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte.

For countless Americans, pumpkins are more than just a seasonal delight; they are a vital part of their livelihood. The U.S. produces over 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkin across more than 15,000 farms.

With these impressive figures, we set out to discover which states grow the most pumpkins and share some fun, festive facts.

Top 10 States for Pumpkin Production

Interesting Pumpkin Facts

80% of pumpkins are harvested in October.
62% of pumpkin acreage is concentrated in just ten states.
Illinois is the leading state for pumpkin production in the U.S.
The average cost of a pumpkin is $2.60, though larger carving pumpkins will cost more.
44% of Americans plan to carve a Jack-O-Lantern.
Jack-o’-lanterns were originally carved from turnips or potatoes before Irish immigrants discovered pumpkins were easier to carve.
The heaviest pumpkin ever recorded weighed 1,810 lb 8 oz and was grown in Minnesota.
The largest pumpkin pie ever made measured 20 feet in diameter and weighed 3,699 pounds. Imagine the number of forks needed!
Pumpkins are the only major crop not grown in Antarctica.
Pumpkin-flavored products generate yearly sales exceeding $414 million, including coffee, beers, baked goods, and more, particularly in Pennsylvania and California.
Morton, Illinois, proudly claims the title of “pumpkin capital,” producing 85% of the world’s canned pumpkin.
In total, over 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are produced annually across 15,214 farms in the U.S.

Methodology

To determine the number of acres and farms dedicated to pumpkin production, we referenced data from the 2017 U.S. Census of Agriculture. Unfortunately, more recent data is not yet available. Using this information, we ranked each state based on pumpkin acreage to identify the top producers.

To gather fun facts, we consulted various sources including Nielsen Retail Measurement Services, Finder, and more.

The Season of Pumpkins

While other produce may attempt to rival pumpkins (looking at you, apples), pumpkins undeniably reign supreme during fall.

You might bob for apples (which isn’t recommended), or sip apple cider, but can you carve a spooky ghost face in one? Can 80% of them be picked in October? Hardly!

So, sit back, enjoy a pumpkin beer, and embrace the supremacy of pumpkins. If that’s not enough, indulge in a pumpkin doughnut, cookie, cake, or any other pumpkin-flavored treat. Still skeptical? Just ask Illinois and the other states contributing to the impressive 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins we consume each year.

Ranking of Top Pumpkin-Producing States

Rank	State	Farms	Acres
1	Illinois	572	17,399
2	Pennsylvania	1,305	6,871
3	New York	1,234	5,592
4	Indiana	432	5,330
5	Michigan	983	5,123
6	California	643	4,386
7	Texas	154	3,742
8	Ohio	887	3,454
9	Wisconsin	823	3,401
10	Virginia	384	3,184
11	North Carolina	411	2,715
12	Oregon	413	2,655
13	Washington	573	2,591
14	New Jersey	410	2,224
15	New Mexico	143	2,223
16	Colorado	242	2,010
17	Minnesota	569	1,827
18	Massachusetts	403	1,735
19	Kentucky	618	1,637
20	Utah	212	1,415
21	Tennessee	322	1,393
22	Missouri	334	1,257
23	Idaho	176	1,243
24	Connecticut	267	1,127
25	Maryland	205	1,022
26	Nebraska	141	1,015
27	Iowa	355	919
28	Delaware	35	897
29	Kansas	139	750
30	Maine	375	673
31	New Hampshire	169	489
32	Vermont	170	437
33	Arkansas	87	363
34	Hawaii	76	275
35	Alabama	53	272
36	Oklahoma	61	268
37	Mississippi	50	262
38	Arizona	114	241
39	West Virginia	148	191
40	Nevada	34	173
41	South Dakota	78	158
42	Montana	65	118
43	Rhode Island	66	110
44	South Carolina	61	109
45	Florida	73	91
46	Georgia	59	74
47	North Dakota	36	66
48	Louisiana	24	45
49	Wyoming	9	10
50	Alaska	21	4

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Author

Kathy Morris

Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.

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