This could be heaven, or this could be hell Despite being the subject of criticism in popular culture, the suburbs are where a majority of Americans call home. (more) Suburb The place many Americans call “home” is as much a state of mind as a location. Written by Fred Frommer Fred Frommer is a sports historian, author, and writer who has written for a host of national publications. Fred Frommer Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated June 9, 2026 •History Merriam-Webster defines a suburb as “an outlying part of a city or town.” These residential areas that, in the United States, grew significantly after World War II have been heralded as the embodiment of the American Dream as well as criticized as soulless bastions of homogeneity. However they are defined, they are home to a majority of Americans, sporting bucolic names including Westchester county, New York; Oak Park, Illinois; and Highland Park, Texas. Brooklyn Heights...

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