The Great Chicago Suburb Census: A Hilarious Investigation (Because Apparently Counting is Hard)
Ah, Chicago. City of wind, deep dish pizza, and... a mysterious number of suburbs? That's right, folks, the question of "how many suburbs does Chicago have?" is about as clear-cut as a Cubs fan admitting they secretly enjoy a good Brewers game (don't worry, Wisconsin, your secret's safe with us).
What We Think We Know (But Probably Don't)
We all have a vague idea, right? There's gotta be, what, a bunch? Dozens? Maybe even... a hundred? Wrong, right, and kind of in the ballpark! The truth is, depending on who you ask, the answer can range from a neat and tidy 83 to a sprawling suburban sprawl encompassing over 100.
Enter the "Chicagoland" Charade
This whole mess boils down to a term we Chicagoans throw around like confetti at a St. Patrick's Day parade: Chicagoland. Now, Chicagoland can mean different things to different people. The Chicago Tribune (bless their heart, they started this whole thing in 1926!), uses it for a cool 83 suburbs. The Illinois Department of Tourism? They're on a slightly smaller Chicagoland bandwagon. The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce? Buddy, they're all-in, counting every last suburb within a six-pack radius of the city.
So, How Many Suburbs Are We Talking About?
Here's the honest truth: it depends on who you ask and how much wiggle room you like in your definitions. The most commonly accepted number seems to be around 83, but hey, if you meet someone who swears by the 100+ club, more power to them! Just remember, the next time you're stuck in rush hour traffic surrounded by minivans and honking horns, you can take comfort in knowing you're part of a vibrant, ever-expanding, and delightfully ambiguous suburban sprawl.
Fun Facts (Because Why Not?)
- Some suburbs have cooler names than others. We're looking at you, Romeoville, Illinois.
- There's a good chance you've at least driven through a Chicago suburb and not even realized it. Those exits come at you fast, folks!
- If you can count all the Chicago suburbs, you deserve a deep dish pizza (Chicago style, obviously).
So there you have it, folks! The thrilling, hilarious, and ultimately inconclusive world of counting Chicago suburbs. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a map, a ruler, and a whole lot of determination (or maybe I'll just order that pizza).
