# What state do the Simpsons live in? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 6, 2002, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546 "2002-08-06T04:21:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![warhol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@warhol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/warhol)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/1 "2002-08-06T04:21:02Z")
Although I’ve been a longtime fan, I have never been able to figure out what state the popular Simpsons cartoon family resides. It’s been mentioned that clues have been given through the years on the show itself, but I still remain unenlightened. Any ideas?😃 Best, -W- ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/2 "2002-08-06T04:24:03Z")
In Homer’s case at least it is a state of confusion. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/3 "2002-08-06T04:43:54Z")
Kentucky, according to the _Behind the Laughter_ episode. ---
**Author:** ![TVGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TVGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/4 "2002-08-06T04:44:03Z")
From “The Simpsons Archive” > [@](#): > > Where IS Springfield, anyway? > > “Springfield” is a fictional location. One more time for the world: “Springfield” is a FICTIONAL location. It is not in Illinois, not in Massachusetts, not in Southern Missouri, not in Northern Kentucky. MG says he chose the name because it is one of the most common city names (121 Springfields exist in the U.S.) and the setting of the antithesis to The Simpsons, Father Knows Best. Indeed, from Groening’s childhood perspective, Springfield was “the next town over” from his home in Portland, Oregon. > > According to Producer/Director David Silverman, Springfield is in the state of North Takoma, eight miles from Toon Town (although it appears this still isn’t to be considered an “official” answer). In Duffless, the state abbreviation on Homer’s driver’s license is NT - NT probably representing North Takoma. See next question. > > The bottom line, though, is that even when the series makes reference to places and events unique to a specific Springfield, it does not mean that the series takes place in that given state. > > According to some sources on the group, Matt Groening has said that although Springfield is basically “anytown USA” it does have features somewhat similar to towns in Oregon, where Matt grew up. For more, see [this link](http://www.snpp.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Dignan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dignan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dignan)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/5 "2002-08-06T04:53:33Z")
I think Delaware, but it’s just a random guess. Here is another [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=107052&highlight=simpsons) with a bunch of guesses. ---
**Author:** ![Neptune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@Neptune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neptune)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/6 "2002-08-06T04:57:30Z")
Recently there was this gag where someone said “South of the border” and Homer answered “You mean Tennessee?” This could put them in Kentucky. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/7 "2002-08-06T06:07:47Z")
More on the _Behind the Laughter_ revelation: [This guy](http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/7415/springfield.html) went hooha after the narrator’s casual reference to the Simpsons as a “Northern Kentucky family” in that episode, and provides maps showing that indeed, there are both a Springfield and a Shelbyville in close proximity in Kentucky. However there’s a comment from one of the site’s guests saying that if you pay attention to the credits, one of the producers is listed as “Weernout F. Romky” – _ie;_ “We’re not from KY.” Which is pretty damned funny, IMHO – I thought that they were just tired of people asking “which state do the Simpsons live in?” and said, “Ah, to hell with it. They’re from Kentucky. Happy?” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/8 "2002-08-06T07:11:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Neptune \* > \*\*Recently there was this gag where someone said “South of the border” and Homer answered “You mean Tennessee?” This could put them in Kentucky. \*\* However they also mentioned going to “the golden banana” this season, which is a fairly well-known strip club in(or near, I forget which. The sign has the biggest banana on it I’ve ever seen) Springfield, MA. There have been several other references to places in or around other Springfields in the US, so taken alone one piece of “evidence” isn’t very compelling. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/9 "2002-08-06T07:15:49Z")
Interestingly, the [Flags of the World](http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/fic.html) website interperets the above mentioned line as meaning that the Simpsons don’t live in Kentucky proper, but in a state in the Simpsons’ universe that’s actually named “North Kentucky.” I don’t know why, but I find this answer pretty charming. Say, are there any other fandoms where people debate a story’s location as much as in The Simpsons? Ranchoth ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/10 "2002-08-06T07:20:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elfkin477 \* > \*\* > > The sign has the biggest banana on it I’ve ever seen) Springfield, MA. \*\* Bigger than [this](http://www.bigbanana.com/) ? ---
**Author:** ![ski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@ski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ski)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/11 "2002-08-06T07:45:31Z")
You’ll also note that the Simpson’s version of “Springfield” has forests, desert, mountains (with snow-capped peaks), canyons, coastline, and just about every other type of terrain/climate you can imagine! Yeah, very few states, and I don’t think any town, in the U.S. can lay claim to all of these environments. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/12 "2002-08-06T09:38:09Z")
In the new Simpsons-go-to-Brazil episode, Lisa mentions something when referring to their state of residence along the lines of “When you piece together all the clues, you’ll figure it out.” My belief is that you really have to do deduction and perhaps they’ve X’ed out 49 states so far? I remember one episode where Chief Wiggam says “No state would prosecute a baby… Maybe Texas,” and thus, Texas is eliminated. Tedious process, but the only reliable way. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/13 "2002-08-06T10:07:17Z")
Nah…it’s deliberately vague. I completely buy the Simpsons Archive explanation. I haven’t seen the Simpsons in several years now, but every episode I remember which showed a driver’s license, something with an address, or anything that would “solve” this riddle once and for all, the important information is purposely obscured. The writers are just jerkin’ everyone around. They know Simpsons geeks like to debate this topic. They’re just blue-ballin’ youse. There is no real state Springfield belongs to. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Maximino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@Mighty\_Maximino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Maximino)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/14 "2002-08-06T12:47:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Larry Mudd \* > \*\*Kentucky, according to the _Behind the Laughter_ episode. \*\* But when they reran the episode, it was changed to “Missouri”. I don’t know what it says in syndication. In other words, they’re messing with you. ---
**Author:** ![av8rmike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@av8rmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/av8rmike)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/15 "2002-08-06T12:56:43Z")
Last I saw “Behind the Laughter” in syndication, they used the original “Kentucky” version. The real answer is essentially all of them and none of them. As **ski** mentioned, there’s too many geographic features to be one state; thus it’s all of them. OTOH, in (I think) the one where they’re kicked out of Florida for killing the gator, they have a big US map with every state X’ed off, and I think the only one left is North Dakota. Thus it’s none of them. So the writers are just jerking us around. ---
**Author:** ![peasea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc79bd/32.png) [@peasea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peasea)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/16 "2002-08-06T13:06:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Neptune \* > \*\*Recently there was this gag where someone said “South of the border” and Homer answered “You mean Tennessee?” This could put them in Kentucky. \*\* …Or Homer was confusing ‘the border’ with ‘the Mason-Dixon Line’. ---
**Author:** ![Fibonacci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Fibonacci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fibonacci)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/17 "2002-08-06T13:31:15Z")
Methinks Missouri… IANASE\*, but IIRC in the episode where they divide the town into 2 area codes (the episode with The Who), I believe one of the area codes was 636, which is a Missouri area code. - I am not a Simpsons expert. ---
**Author:** ![a\_gherkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f6c823/32.png) [@a\_gherkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a_gherkin)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/18 "2002-08-06T13:58:28Z")
[www.irsburger.com](http://www.irsburger.com) this is perhaps the most comprehensive, even the saddest look at this most interesting of mass debates. it seems that kentucky is the best bet tho. ---
**Author:** ![bryanmcc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@bryanmcc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bryanmcc)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/19 "2002-08-06T14:11:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mighty Maximino \* > \*\*But when they reran the episode, it was changed to “Missouri”. I don’t know what it says in syndication. In other words, they’re messing with you. \*\* Actually, when I saw the original episode in a small town in Kansas close to Kansas City, the Simpsons were said to be from Missouri. Friends in different locations said Kentucky, and I believe a few other things. I think they just supplied several different versions for people in different parts of the country. -b ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/20 "2002-08-06T14:19:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fibonacci \* > \*_Methinks Missouri… > IANASE_, but IIRC in the episode where they divide the town into 2 area codes (the episode with The Who), I believe one of the area codes was 636, which is a Missouri area code. > > - I am not a Simpsons expert. \*\* There is a 636 area code in Missouri, but the area code for Springfield, Mo. is 417. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546.md?page=2)