As the winter holidays arrive, the U.S. Census Bureau is marking the season with a collection of facts and figures that reflect how Americans celebrate, shop and work during one of the busiest times of the year. The data span everything from holiday-themed hometowns to retail jobs, toy manufacturing and the global supply chain behind festive decorations.

Across the country, dozens of communities carry names that echo the spirit of the season. Garland, Texas, is the largest of the holiday-sounding towns, with a population of 250,431, according to Vintage 2024 estimates. Holly Springs, Georgia, follows with 20,133 residents, while Mount Holly, North Carolina, is home to 18,723 people. Other communities include Holly Hill, Florida, with 13,183 residents; Snowflake, Arizona, with 6,736; Holly Springs, Mississippi, with 6,472; and Holly Village, Michigan, with 5,980.

Smaller towns continue the theme. Santa Claus Indiana, has a population of 2,657, while North Pole, Alaska, counts 2,505 residents. Holiday Island, Arkansas, has 2,422 people, followed by Noel, Missouri, with 2,190. Dasher, Georgia, is home to 939 residents. Holly Pond, Alabama, has 870 residents, while Holly, Colorado, has 843. Holiday Hills, Illinois, has a population of 606, and Holly Grove, Arkansas, counts 436 residents. Rudolph, Wisconsin, has 428 residents, and Joy, Illinois, is home to 359. Holliday, Missouri, has a population of 118, and Unity, Oregon, rounds out the list with 42 residents.

The spirit of giving is also reflected in the nation's retail economy. In 2023, there were approximately 3,000 baked goods stores and about 3,000 candy and nut stores operating in the United States. The country was also home to roughly 2,000 department stores, 9,000 hobby, toy and game stores and about 20,000 jewelry stores.

Behind many holiday gifts are domestic manufacturers. In 2023, the United States had about 500 doll, toy and game manufacturers. Census figures show 485 establishments nationwide dedicated to doll, toy and game manufacturing.

Many holiday decorations, however, are imported. In 2024, China accounted for 87% of U.S. imports of Christmas decorations, valued at $2.97 billion. Cambodia led imports of LED Christmas tree lights, supplying 67% worth $200.6 million. Vietnam was the top source of tapered candles, providing 55% of U.S. imports valued at $606.0 million.

Transportation also plays a key role in the season's activity. In 2024, the U.S. railway industry employed 47,405 railroad conductors and yardmasters and 44,413 locomotive engineers and operators. Another 21,673 people worked in other rail transportation jobs, including switch operators and train car couplers, while 8,835 operated rail-track laying and maintenance equipment.

Retail workers are among the most visible holiday helpers. In 2024, about 5 million full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older were employed as retail salespersons, cashiers or first-line supervisors of retail sales workers. Retail salespersons numbered 1.6 million with median earnings of $45,350. Cashiers totaled 901,206 with median earnings of $30,323. First-line supervisors of retail sales workers accounted for 2.4 million employees and had median earnings of $53,274.

Sources for this article include the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns, the 2024 American Community Survey, USA Trade Online and Vintage 2024 population estimates.