Are we ever going to really know what real town Springfield, USA in the Simpsons is based on?

Question

34 states have a Springfield. The wikipedia article on Springfield, USA, gives some good points as to what state the Springfield in the Simpson’s may be based on. But many times in the show, there are little hints as to where they live, like Homers social security number (the first 3 numbers, are the same as California’s), and in another episode Homer crosses out all the states he is banned from, all are crossed out but Arizona and North Dakota but Homer crosses out Arizona because it smells funny there. They've drove just a short distance to Canada (everyone in Springfield knows O Canada), but they have also drove a short distance to Mexico, and they live near the ocean, but east coast or west coast? There are so many more hints as to what state they may live in.

What real life Springfield and in what state, do you think the town in the show is based on and do you think we will ever find out?

Answer 1

the whole idea is to keep it generic so that the writers can easily use many different locations in the story line. Springfield USA isnt based on any real town, and the reason it is named Springfield is because its such a common name. Its location in the US is kept open so that all different types of scenery are, in theory, close by and easy to work into the script. Mountains, desert, beach, forest, snowy winters and hot summers. Springfield USA has them all and within walking distance it seems. If they were to ever write in that Springfield USA is in a specific state it would not only kill one of the longest running gags on TV, but it would disrupt the fantastic world of the Simpsons by suddenly imposing a specific geographic restrictions on them on them. Its not based on any city, its its own city, Springfield USA!


Fun fact...
I lived in charleston SC during my highschool years. Not far from were I lived was an newer elementary school. When they Built it, the school board allowed the students to decide what to name their school. Guess what its called. yup, Springfield Elementary. there is no town by that name anywhere near by. the kids named it for Springfield USA. True story.

Answer 2

I always assumed it was Illinois. Lots of nuke plants around Chicago. The people there talk like the Simpsons and their friends.

Answer 3

based on every small town and its not so bright inhabitants across the us,

Answer 4

LOL I always thought it was in Illinoise but since they arent real....

Answer 5

psssst.....don't tell anyone but the simpsons aren't real......shhhhh!