The Great Armenian Census Caper: How Many Angelenos Are Saying "Mer Hav (Hello)"?
Ah, Los Angeles. The land of dreams, movie stars, and...a whole lotta Armenians! But just how many Armenians are we talking about? Buckle up, because this census caper is about to get wilder than a Kardashian closet clean-out.
Counting Sheep vs. Counting Armenians: A Statistical Mystery
The official numbers, like that dusty abacus in your grandpa's basement, aren't exactly cutting-edge. The 2000 census clocked in at around 150,000, but that's like using a dial-up modem in the age of Netflix. Fast forward a decade, and estimates balloon to a whopping 200,000+. That's more Armenians than there are flamingos in Las Vegas (and trust me, that's a lot of pink feathers).
The Glendale Question: Ground Zero for Armenian Awesomeness?
Glendale. The name practically whispers "Armenian enclave." Here, you can get your falafel fix and argue about politics all in the same sentence, and probably in Armenian. But Glendale isn't the only Armenian hotspot. There's Little Armenia in LA, pockets in the San Fernando Valley, and enough Armenian bakeries scattered around to keep your khachapuri cravings satisfied.
So, Are We Talking Small Army or Hollywood Horde?
Truth is, pinpointing the exact number is like catching a rogue bouillabaisse stain on your white tablecloth. Some folks who have Armenian heritage might not identify as Armenian on the census. Others might have just moved in last week, lured by the promise of authentic dolma and a good argument about who makes the best baklava (spoiler alert: it's your aunt).
The Important Take-Away: There. Are. A. Lot. Of. Armenians.
Here's the gist: there are enough Armenians in Los Angeles to fill the Dolby Theatre several times over, and that's with enough leftovers for a post-awards afterparty. They're woven into the fabric of the city, adding their unique flavor, culture, and yes, possibly a healthy dose of family drama (we all have those aunts, right?).
So next time you're in LA, keep your eyes peeled (and your stomach rumbling) for Armenian awesomeness. Just be prepared to answer the age-old question: Dolma with yogurt or sour cream? Choose wisely, my friend.
