The Great Armenian Census Caper: How Many Angelenos Are Saying Merhaba?
Ah, Los Angeles. The land of dreams, movie stars, and...a whole lot of Armenians! But just how many Armenians are we talking about? Buckle up, because this isn't your average population count, this is a full-on Armenian-Angeles mystery.
Counting Sheep vs. Counting Armenians: It's Not As Easy As It Seems
The last official census we have is from 2000, which, let's be honest, is basically the dark ages of the internet. Back then, the number hovered around 166,498. Now, that's a respectable amount of people, enough to fill a stadium...several stadiums actually. But here's the thing: Armenians are like cockroaches (but in a good way!). They're resilient, resourceful, and have a knack for finding good weather and delicious food. Los Angeles offers all three in spades, so it's no surprise the community has likely boomed since the dusty old days of 2000.
Enter the Whispers: Numbers that Would Make Your Tavla Board Explode
So, if the census isn't giving us the hot goss, where do we turn? Well, the internet rumor mill is churning out numbers that would make your head spin. We're talking estimates ranging from 250,000 to a whopping 500,000! Now, these are just whispers on the digital wind, but they do point to one thing for sure: there are a lot of Armenians in LA, maybe enough to form their own small nation-state within the city limits. We could call it Little Armenia 2.0: Electric Boogaloo.
The Plot Thickens: Where Are All These Armenians Hiding?
Okay, so we know there are a bunch of Armenians out there, but where exactly are they chilling? The answer, like a good plate of dolma, is layered. Glendale is ground zero for Armenian-American life, but there are also sizeable populations in North Hollywood, Van Nuys, and Encino. Basically, anywhere you find a killer falafel joint or a shop with enough gold jewelry to blind a dragon, there's a good chance you'll find Armenians too.
So, How Many Armenians Are There Really in LA?
The truth is, we might never have a perfectly accurate number. But that's okay! The important thing is that Los Angeles is a city that thrives on its diversity, and the Armenian community is a vibrant part of that. From their delicious food to their rich culture, Armenians add a special flavor to the LA melting pot.
So next time you're in LA and see a guy with a thick mustache arguing about backgammon (tavla) in a heated but friendly way, you can be pretty sure you've stumbled upon an Armenian Angeleno. Just don't try to break up the game, unless you want an earful in Armenian (and maybe a lesson or two on the finer points of tavla strategy).
