How Many Bostonians Does It Take to Change a Light Bulb? (Spoiler Alert: It's a Trick Question)
Ah, Boston. The city of baked beans, marathoners dodging yellow lab puppies, and enough history to fill a museum (or ten). But have you ever wondered just how many folks live amongst all those brick buildings and sprawling universities? Buckle up, history buffs and trivia enthusiasts, because we're about to dive into the fascinating world of Boston's population.
What is The Population Of Boston |
The City That Packs a Punch (But Not Literally, Please)
Fun Fact Alert! As of the 2020 census, the city of Boston itself boasts a population of 675,647. That's a hefty chunk of people, all crammed into a cool 48.4 square miles. Now, that might not sound like much compared to sprawling metropolises like Los Angeles, but for a historic city with a walkable core, that's a pretty impressive density.
Tip: Don’t just scroll to the end — the middle counts too.
Think of it this way: if everyone in Boston held hands at the same time, you'd basically create a giant human centipede that would stretch from Fenway Park all the way to Salem (though let's be honest, Bostonians are a pretty independent bunch, so hand-holding might be a stretch).
Tip: Make mental notes as you go.
The Greater Boston Menagerie (Because Let's Face It, Cities Are Like Zoos)
But wait, there's more! The city of Boston is just the tip of the iceberg, folks. The Greater Boston Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all the cool suburbs and exurbs (think Quincy, Cambridge, and Somerville), has a population of a whopping 4,941,632. That's almost 5 million people living, working, and chowing down on clam chowder within commuting distance of the city.
Tip: Reread the opening if you feel lost.
Now, this isn't a competition with other metropolitan areas (we're all winners here!), but that kind of population puts Boston in the top 11 most populous metro areas in the US. Not too shabby for a city that practically invented the term "walking a beat."
QuickTip: Skim first, then reread for depth.
So, How Many Bostonians Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb?
Remember that spoiler alert up top? Here's the answer: It doesn't take any Bostonians to change a light bulb. Because, as any true Bostonian knows, if a light bulb burns out, you just call your super (because everyone in Boston rents a triple-decker with a mysterious "super" who fixes everything) and they'll eventually get around to it. Maybe.
But hey, at least you've got plenty of company while you wait in the dark!
How-To FAQs:
- How to count the Boston population? Probably not by yourself. Leave it to the US Census Bureau, they're the experts.
- How to avoid getting trampled by the Boston population? Stick to the sidewalks, and maybe avoid marathon weekend.
- How to make friends with a Bostonian? Learn how to say "dunk" correctly (it's a donut, not a basketball move).
- How to survive a Boston winter with all these people? Invest in a good coat, some sturdy boots, and a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor.
- How to tell if you're a true Bostonian? If you can complain about the T without batting an eyelid, you might just be one of us.