By the Numbers: Thanksgiving

1

Wisconsin’s ranking in cranberry production, at 538 million pounds, followed by Massachusetts at 210 million pounds (2014 numbers).

2

The maximum number of days the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests keeping a fresh turkey before cooking it.

2.5

The number of public viewing miles for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

4

Percentage of Americans who spend Thanksgiving at a restaurant or bar.

5

The average number of people who die each year as a result of trying to deep fry their turkeys. It also results in an average of 60 injuries and 900 homes burned down.

8

Number of places in the United States named “Cranberry” or some variation of it.

12

The number of hours it takes to thaw a 22- to 24-pound frozen turkey in cold water.

17

Number of ridges in a 14-ounce can of Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce.

36

The number of years it took magazine editor Sarah Josepha Hale to crusade for an annual Thanksgiving holiday, so declared by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863.

$57

The average household spending on Thanksgiving dinner.

86

The number of pounds of the largest turkey ever raised.

78

Percentage of Americans who say they don’t worry about calories or diets on Thanksgiving.

88

The approximate percentage of Americans who eat turkey on Thanksgiving, according to the National Turkey Federation.

95

Percentage of Americans who spend Thanksgiving with family.

4,500

The average number of calories you might consume on Thanksgiving, according to the Calorie Control Council – 3,000 for the main meal and another 1,500 for snacking and nibbling.

46 million

The estimated number of turkeys consumed in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day.

300,000

The cubic feet of helium used to float the Macy’s parade balloons, making it the second biggest user of helium after the U.S. Dept. of Defense.

135.8 million

Estimated number of Thanksgiving weekend shoppers.

Sources: CNN, xpatnation.com, thefiscaltimes.com