Matt Groening: The Simpsons Live In Springfield, Oregon

For more than 500 episodes Matt Groening has teased about the real location of “The Simpsons.” The secret, however, is now out. Groening revealed in a recent interview with Smithsonian magazine, that the Simpsons live in Springfield, Oregon.

So why Springfield, Oregon? Groening, who grew up in Portland, said that he was a big fan of the TV show “Father Knows Best” which also took place in a town called Springfield. Groening said:

“Springfield was named after Springfield, Oregon. The only reason is that when I was a kid, the TV show “Father Knows Best” took place in the town of Springfield, and I was thrilled because I imagined that it was the town next to Portland, my hometown. When I grew up, I realized it was just a fictitious name. I also figured out that Springfield was one of the most common names for a city in the U.S. In anticipation of the success of the show, I thought, ‘This will be cool; everyone will think it’s their Springfield.’ And they do.”

Groening said that he let fans of “The Simpsons” guess about the real location of Springfield for years because he didn’t want to ruin the fun. Groening said:

“I don’t want to ruin it for people, you know? Whenever people say it’s Springfield, Ohio, or Springfield, Massachusetts, or Springfield, wherever, I always go, ‘Yup, that’s right.'”

You can read Matt Greoning’s full interview with Smithsonian Magazine here.

Are you a fan of “The Simpsons?” Are you surprised that Springfield is located in Oregon?