The Great Chicago-Croatian Census Caper: How Many Šahovnicas Fit in the Windy City?
Ah, Chicago. City of broad shoulders, deep-dish pizza, and...a surprisingly large number of Croatians? Buckle up, folks, because we're diving headfirst into the murky waters of the Chicago-Croatian population estimate. It's a wilder ride than a polka on a pogo stick, so grab a ječmenička (barley beer) and let's get cracking.
The Official Count: Census Says "Što?" (What?)
The 2015 census, bless its bureaucratic heart, puts the number of Cook County Croats at a measly 6,000. Now, that number sounds about as believable as a politician with perfect hair. Don't get me wrong, the census is a valiant effort, but it's like trying to count butterflies with a net – some things just slip through the cracks (or, you know, fly away).
Grandma Knows Best: The Community Counterdemand
The Croatian community leaders have a different story to tell. They're throwing around numbers closer to 150,000, which sounds more like it! We're talking about a vibrant community with festivals that would make Bacchus himself blush, bakeries overflowing with burek, and enough šljivovica (plum brandy) to float a battleship.
Here's the thing: Croatian heritage is often passed down through family ties and cultural traditions, not always neatly ticking boxes on a census form. So, grandma who still pinches your cheeks and speaks in a language that sounds like a catfight with a kazoo? She probably counts, even if the official paperwork doesn't.
So, How Many Croatians Are There Really?
The answer, my friends, is a glorious maybe. It's somewhere between "a couple of guys who like štrukli" (cheese pastries) and "enough to overthrow a small European country...with polka music." The important thing is, Chicago has a thriving Croatian community that adds a rich layer of culture and flavor to the city.
Maybe one day we'll get a definitive Croatian count, but for now, let's celebrate the fact that Chicago is a place where Croatian traditions are alive and kicking, even if the exact numbers are a bit fuzzy around the edges. Here's to the Windy City's Croatians – may their grills forever sizzle and their laughter echo through the streets!
