Perhaps the supercharger is more popular as it's more robust? Pretty simple too, compared to a super duper high rpm spinning impeller/propeller that requires pipes and valves? I'm thinking (and trying not to stereotype) that the tuning game in the US was originated from WW2 soldiers with disposable income, which created hot rodding and the likes. Turbos are (were) less reliable, harder to tune (like an on/off switch) and perhaps wouldn't "suit" the torquey nature of V8's? Whereas bolting on a blower gives you even more torque and runs out of puff at the top end like the engine naturally does. I think what I'm trying to get at is superchargers have pretty much been around since the internal combustion engine came about, not so sure about turbos (feel free to correct me here anyone, just writing my thoughts more than anything- might be talking rubbish!).
Turbo patent was granted in 1905 according to wiki-lies...
The US has always gone in a different direction to Europe, it's fair to say they like what they know, and know what they like. Big capacity with giggle gas or a blower has always been the order of the day, with a 'nitrous plate' under a hoofing great carb.
This was reflected in the UK and Europe too, in any scene the US had big influences, mainly drag racing. Walk the pits of Santa Pod in the late 90s early 00s and you'd not see many (if any) turbos strapped to a big block.
Fast forward 15 years and you're behind if you've not got two massive blowers hanging off the front of your car
Fuel injection and funny ECU things are normal now too.
Durability wise, turbos are definitely more robust, and can be controlled much better, cheaper yadada - this doesn't stop OEMs using them occasionally, but deffinately in a more premium application, whereas your turbo in common place in any shopping trolley with a 0.9l 3-cyl motor pushing over 100PS.
To answer the original question - yes octane booster if required, but anything sold in the last 10 years will have knock sensors to mop anything up, calibrations also differ market to market.