Where do The Simpsons live?
Quick answer
The Simpsons live at 742 Evergreen Terrace in the fictional town of Springfield. The show deliberately never says which US state Springfield is in, and its geography changes to suit each story: it has mountains, beaches, a desert and a nuclear power plant. Creator Matt Groening chose the name partly because many states have a Springfield.
Why the state is a secret
There are dozens of towns called Springfield in the United States, making it a perfect “anytown.” The writers enjoy teasing viewers: characters start to name the state and get interrupted, and maps on screen are blocked.
In 2012, Groening told Smithsonian magazine that the name was inspired by Springfield, Oregon, near his hometown of Portland, though that doesn’t mean the show is set there. Many Oregon street and character names, such as Flanders and Lovejoy, come from Portland.
Springfield landmarks
| Place | What it is |
|---|---|
| Springfield Nuclear Power Plant | Where Homer works as a safety inspector |
| Moe’s Tavern | Homer’s favorite bar |
| Kwik-E-Mart | Apu’s convenience store |
| Springfield Elementary | Bart and Lisa’s school |
| Krusty Burger | Fast-food chain owned by Krusty the Clown |
The family
| Character | Voice |
|---|---|
| Homer | Dan Castellaneta |
| Marge | Julie Kavner |
| Bart | Nancy Cartwright |
| Lisa | Yeardley Smith |
| Maggie | Mostly silent |
Records
- The Simpsons first appeared as short sketches on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987 and became a full series on December 17, 1989.
- It’s the longest-running American scripted primetime series and longest-running American animated series, with more than 750 episodes.
- Fox has renewed it through season 40.
- Homer’s catchphrase “D’oh!” is in the Oxford English Dictionary.
Springfield vs Quahog
Other animated sitcoms also use fictional towns. Family Guy is set in Quahog, Rhode Island; see which show is set in Quahog.
For a long-running cartoon set underwater, see where SpongeBob works.
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