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If you buy one scented candle, it’s hard not to buy a hundred more. Especially with so many different options to choose from. While some people make homemade candles, others enjoy the retail therapy of finding a few new jars.
The question is, does your favorite scent match your state’s favorite scent?
The Most Popular Candle Scent in Every State
Shane Co. decided to calculate every state’s favorite scent based on search history from November 2020 through November 2021.
Most of the states (34 to be exact) have a favorite scent that falls into one of nine major categories: pumpkin, vanilla, citrus, coconut, gardenia, lavender, lemon, rose and peppermint. The rest of the states, minus a handful, have stand-alone favorites. Illinois, my home state, has cotton as its favorite scent. Yes, I can attest to the popularity!
What Scents Are the Most Popular?
Pumpkin
As expected, the pumpkin candle takes the lead spot. Arkansas, Washington D.C., Delaware, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, Rhode Island and West Virginia all claim this scent as their absolute favorite. But why is that? It could be because of the importance of fall to these states, or the love of pumpkin picking. Many states in the Northeast grow pumpkins for the fall harvest, so pumpkin in states like Rhode Island and Delaware make total sense.
Vanilla
Vanilla candles come in at a sweet second. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska, South Carolina and Virginia call this their favorite scent. Vanilla just so happens to be America’s most popular flavor, so it makes sense as to why this scent is so high up on the list.
Florals
Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Wisconsin enjoy the aroma of lavender, rose and gardenia candles. It’s a great way to make it feel like summer all year ’round. And besides, who doesn’t like flowers?
Citrus
If you need a little pick-me-up during the day, a citrus candle will do the trick. States like Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, Tennessee and Washington all love a bright scent. Of course, Florida is on this list—it’s the leader in orange production in the United States!
