# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Engywook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bc8723/32.png) [@Engywook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engywook)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/21 "2002-08-06T14:55:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ski \* > \*\*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. \*\* Nope, I don’t have any problem with this at all. There’s lots of towns on the west coast that are within a short drive of all of the above-mentioned terrains… Questions: 1. The desert, when I have seen it, always seems to be about a day’s drive away from Springfield. I’m told that there is some desert in Washington and Oregon, verify? 2. How often does it snow in Springfield? Seems that the weather there is usually quite mild, in all the eps I’ve seen. ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/22 "2002-08-06T15:00:56Z")
There was also a reference to a TV show called Springfield…followed by a zip code (a parody of Beverly Hills 90210) I can’t remember the zip code now, but that would be a good clue. Of course we all know Springfield is everywhere. ---
**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, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/23 "2002-08-06T15:39:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kunilou \* > \*\* > > There is a 636 area code in Missouri, but the area code for Springfield, Mo. is 417. \*\* Not that Springfield, MO… the OTHER Springfield, MO… you know… the one near Shelbyville. ---
**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, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/24 "2002-08-06T16:03:02Z")
OK, you guys are right. All those references aren’t just jokes, they’re clues, and the Simpsons’ Springfield is a real city in a real state. :rolleyes: Well, in that case, it’s simple. Shelbyville is right next to Springfield, right? Well, as it turns out, there are _seven_ American states with both a Springfield and Shelbyville. Can’t really link to this; do your own research on Mapquest or some other source of your chosing. Of those, four pairs (Michigan, Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana) are within 100 miles of each other. The closest are Springfield (Calhoun) and Shelbyville, MI at 38 miles. Huh. I guess Bart and the gang are in really good shape, since there was at least one episode where they walked to Shelbyville (2F22). But there’s your proof, right? For further clarification, remember that Capital City is, well, the capitol city of Springfield’s state (7F05). Some simple searching reveals that…wait…I can’t _find_ a state with the capitol of Capital City. How can that be?? Could it be the show’s writers made a mistake? It couldn’t have been made up, _that’s_ for sure. Well, we know Homer climbed Mt. Murderhorn as a promotion for PowerSauce energy bars (BABF20). Obviously, we’ll just look for that mountain on a map somewhere, and that will clear everything up, since it was clearly visible from Springfield (along with two other smaller, separate mountains, but strangely, no others)…Hmm…seem to be having trouble with that one, too. Well, I’ll get back to you when I have more ‘proof’. It shouldn’t take long. After all, there so many clues cleverly planted throughout the episodes that finding the obviously factual answer will be a breeze. I can’t believe no one’s done this before. ---
**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, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/25 "2002-08-06T16:06:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Engywook \* > \*\* > > Nope, I don’t have any problem with this at all. There’s lots of towns on the west coast that are within a short drive of all of the above-mentioned terrains… > > Questions: > > 1. The desert, when I have seen it, always seems to be about a day’s drive away from Springfield. I’m told that there is some desert in Washington and Oregon, verify? > 2. How often does it snow in Springfield? Seems that the weather there is usually quite mild, in all the eps I’ve seen. \*\* First, the list was not all-inclusive, as I stated. Others I’ve seen are cornfields, farm country, Native American reservation, on and on. Yes, there are states that have all these, but within a single city’s limits? Not that I’m aware of. 1. Depends how you define “desert”. Antarctica is technically a desert, but I meant the ones with saguaro cacti and such like in Arizona. 2. Remember the episode “Plow King” (or something like that)? ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/26 "2002-08-06T16:47:40Z")
Off to Cafe Society… (Waving his wand ineffectually…Wait! Nothing’s happening…darn, I’m not a mod 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/27 "2002-08-06T17:04:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by peasea \* > **\Well, we know Homer climbed Mt. Murderhorn as a promotion for PowerSauce energy bars (BABF20). \** [nitpick] It’s The Murderhorn. [/nitpick] ---
**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, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/28 "2002-08-06T18:13:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JuanitaTech \* > \*\* > [nitpick] > It’s The Murderhorn. > [/nitpick] \*\* Oops. Thanks, Juanita. _That’s_ why I couldn’t find it. 😉 I’ll have to look again. ---
**Author:** ![Gartog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/22d042/32.png) [@Gartog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gartog)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/29 "2002-08-06T18:36:30Z")
In an episode I saw recently Homer is banned from entering a state, Marge crosses out the sate on a US Map. She mentions there is only one stat left they can travel too, and Lisa makes some comment, Marge then crosses out the final state. At this point all the sates are crossed out. Sorry I can’t remeber which episode it was (not much help I know). - Gartog Should ‘state’ have a Capitol S? ---
**Author:** ![Gartog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/22d042/32.png) [@Gartog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gartog)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2002, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/30 "2002-08-06T18:41:35Z")
or even be spelt correclty 😛 ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2002, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/31 "2002-08-07T01:29:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ski \* > \*\* > > First, the list was not all-inclusive, as I stated. Others I’ve seen are cornfields, farm country, Native American reservation, on and on. Yes, there are states that have all these, but within a single city’s limits? Not that I’m aware of. > > 1. Depends how you define “desert”. Antarctica is technically a desert, but I meant the ones with saguaro cacti and such like in Arizona. > > 2. Remember the episode “Plow King” (or something like that)? \*\* Actually, Oregon is about as close as anything gets: Mountains, oceans, farms, reservations, (high) desert, volcanos, etc. Enjoy a map of Portland, Oregon for the names associate with the Simpsons, e.g. Terwilliger, Lovejoy. ---
**Author:** ![TVS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b782af/32.png) [@TVS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVS)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2002, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/32 "2002-08-07T01:53:58Z")
To muddy things a little more… In a recent episode, Homer leaves marge and goes ‘West Springfield’. This part of town is three times the size of Texas… Just find a state that can support a small town that size. (I’ll go turn myself in to the oxymoron police now…) Should be simple enough to find tho… just search for a state with springfield and shelbyville near by. Limit those selections to the ones with Brockway, Ogdenville, North Haverbrook, and Capital City within 100 miles. Of those selections, limit the search to those with a nuclear power plant, streets named ‘Evergreen Terrace’ and ’ Fake St’, and a prison. Finally, look through local elections and find a town ‘Mayor Quimby’ in office in the last 15 years or so. Or, the good people of the simpsons may just be screwing with our heads. ---
**Author:** ![Longmos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/278dde/32.png) [@Longmos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longmos)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2002, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/33 "2002-08-07T02:23:59Z")
I can’t believe no one has suggested California. It’s always been pretty obvious to me. ---
**Author:** ![TVS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b782af/32.png) [@TVS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVS)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2002, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/34 "2002-08-07T02:35:10Z")
To muddy the waters some… A recent episode said that the part of town known as ‘West Springfield’ is 3 times the size of texas. Just find a state that can accomodate a small town like that. Don’t worry, I’ll turn myself in to the oxymoron police in the morning. Or- look for all of the states with springfield and shelbyville nearby. Narrow that search to springfields with Brockway, Ogdenville, North Haverbrook, and Capital City within about a hundred or so miles. Limit that search to Springfields with a nuclear power plant, a prison, and streets called ‘Evergreen Terrace’ and ‘Fake Street’. Finally, look at local election records for a ‘Diamond’ Joe Quimby elected in the last 20 years. Maybe the good people at Fox are screwing with us… ---
**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2002, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/35 "2002-08-07T14:36:02Z")
Is that “Were not from KY” thing real? I also heard that that got made up by people on the internet as part of the ensuing flame war. Any possibility of the Simpsons living in a real state is shot to hell by the “Burns For Governor” episode on the new DVD where we can clearly see the state flag and motto–red, white, blue, green with a single star and the motto “Not Just Another State”. Also, I’ve heard it said that the NT on Homer’s driver’s license means “Not Telling”. How can there be 121 Springfields? Isn’t there only allowed to be one in each state? Or do “townships” and “boroughs” or whatever count separately? ---
**Author:** ![peasea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc79bd/32.png) [@peasea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peasea)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2002, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/36 "2002-08-07T15:28:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ElwoodCuse \* > \*\*How can there be 121 Springfields? Isn’t there only allowed to be one in each state? Or do “townships” and “boroughs” or whatever count separately? \*\* Looking on [Mapquest](http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&addtohistory=&address=&city=springfield&state=&zipcode=&homesubmit.x=0&homesubmit.y=0), I found 52 Springfields. The duplicates all seemed to be in different counties, such as Springfield, MI, Calhoun and Springfield, MI, Oakland. Ambiguity in mailing addresses is taken care of with zip codes. As for the 121 number, perhaps that includes names that contain ‘Springfield’ along with other words. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2002, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/37 "2002-08-07T16:09:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Larry Mudd \* > \*\*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?” > > 😃 \*\* It turns out the “Weernout F. Romky” thing was an elaborate hoax from an alt.tv.simpsons poster. The thread went for a while until they figured out there was not Weernout credited (The only clever comment made in the credits of a program was one of the clip shows, commenting on the fact that Fox forced them to do a clip show every so often: “Written by Penny Wise, Directed by Pound Foolish.”) In the second airing of the episode, the narrator slyly commented on the Simpsons being a “Southern Missouri family.” And we know _that_ can’t be true, since Superintendent Chalmers later stated that Springfield Elementary was named the worst school in the state of Missouri…before it was moved here brick by brick. And of course, Grampa will “be deep in the cold, cold ground before [he] recognize[s] Missora.” Also, the Behind the Laughter episode treats the Simpsons as actors in a program loosely based on their own life. Perhaps he’s referring to where the actor Simpsons live, and not where the character Simpsons from the _Simpsons_ TV show live. My final conclusion: The Simpsons live in the United States, in a town that’s made to be just like yours. Hey, wait a minute…that’s it! Do any of you out there have mysterious yellow skin? I think I have a lead…no, wait. I’m just going crazy. The Simpsons live…in a house. That’s my conclusion. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2002, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/38 "2002-08-11T03:26:39Z")
To get back to the OP… This just came to me (sorry to interrupt all the “Where is Springfield?” brouhaha)… but the final episode should depict a war between Monty Burns and Hank Scorpio for global domination, with the Simpson family caught in the middle. I liked Scorpio. ---
**Author:** ![peasea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc79bd/32.png) [@peasea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peasea)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2002, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/39 "2002-08-11T03:40:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > \*\*To get back to the OP… > > This just came to me (sorry to interrupt all the “Where is Springfield?” brouhaha)… but the final episode should depict a war between Monty Burns and Hank Scorpio for global domination, with the Simpson family caught in the middle. I liked Scorpio. \*\* Um, the OP _is_ about the “Where is Springfield?” brouhaha. Either you are confusing this thread with [this one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=129632), or I’m getting a good whooshing right now. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2002, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546/40 "2002-08-11T07:32:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DarrenS \* > \*\*Off to Cafe Society… > > (Waving his wand ineffectually…Wait! Nothing’s happening…darn, I’m not a mod 🙂 ) \*\* But I am. Off to Cafe Society. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-do-the-simpsons-live-in/122546.md?page=3)