Rhode Island Ranks Second Nationally in Halloween Child Density
A 2026 study by a Boston law firm found the state packs 138 children per square mile, a figure more than ten times the national average.
By Amina Yusuf ·
138.04. That is the number of children aged 5 to 14 per square mile in Rhode Island, according to a new analysis of 2026 population estimates. This metric places the state second in the United States for trick-or-treater density, trailing only New Jersey.
Researchers at the Boston personal injury firm Breakstone, White & Gluck calculated that Rhode Island holds 142,734 potential participants within its 1,034 square miles. This concentration is more than ten times the national average of 13.10 children per square mile.
The data reveals a stark geographic divide in the country. While Rhode Island sits near the top, Alaska ranks last with just 0.24 children per square mile. The middle of the national ranking includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, and Delaware, which follow Rhode Island in density.
The study attributes these figures to the high concentration of school-age children in densely populated areas. The authors note that this density impacts the planning for educational, recreational, and community needs in those regions.
The analysis relies on 2026 population projections to determine the distribution of children in the target age group. It does not account for adult participants or the specific layout of neighborhoods, focusing solely on the statistical density of eligible children per land area.
Source: Hoover Patch
