Springfield, Virginia | |
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Census-designated place (CDP) | |
 Central Springfield Business District, seen from Springfield Town Center in October 2014 | |
 Flag | |
 Location of Springfield inFairfax County,Virginia | |
  Springfield  Springfield  Springfield | |
| Coordinates:38°47′19″N77°10′46″W / 38.78861°N 77.17944°W /38.78861; -77.17944 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Virginia |
| County |  Fairfax |
| Area | |
• Total | 7.9 sq mi (20.4 km2) |
| • Land | 7.8 sq mi (20.3 km2) |
| • Water | 0.039 sq mi (0.1 km2) |
| Elevation | 246 ft (75 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 31,339 |
| • Density | 3,979/sq mi (1,536.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Area codes | 703,571 |
| FIPS code | 51-74592[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1493642[2] |
Springfield is acensus-designated place (CDP) inFairfax County,Virginia, United States. The Springfield CDP is recognized by theU.S. Census Bureau with a population of 31,339 as of the2020 census. Previously, per the2010 census, the population was 30,484. Homes and businesses in bordering CDPs includingNorth Springfield,West Springfield, andNewington are usually given a Springfield mailing address. The CDP is a part ofNorthern Virginia, the most populous region of theWashington Metropolitan Area.
Springfield is located at38°46′45″N77°11′4″W / 38.77917°N 77.18444°W /38.77917; -77.18444 (38.779238, −77.184636).[3]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.9 square miles (20.4 km2), of which 7.9 square miles (20.3 km2) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km2) (0.49%) is water.
The area is dominated by the interchange ofI-95,I-395, and theCapital Beltway (I-495), known as theSpringfield Interchange. The center of the town is at the intersection ofRoute 644 (Old Keene Mill Road / Franconia Road) andRoute 617 (Backlick Road) adjacent to the interchange. A significant commercial district exists around the interchange area, but the rest of the community is primarily residential in character.
According to the U.S. Postal Service, Springfield collectively has fourZIP codes:
The following are total area, water area, and land area statistics (in square miles) for the four Springfield zip codes:[4]
| Zip code | Total area | Water area | Land area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22150 | 7.88 sq mi. | 0.01 sq mi. | 7.87 sq mi. |
| 22151 | 5.28 sq mi. | 0.17 sq mi. | 5.11 sq mi. |
| 22152 | 6.16 sq mi. | 0.00 sq mi. | 6.16 sq mi. |
| 22153 | 8.36 sq mi. | 0.06 sq mi. | 8.30 sq mi. |
| Total | 28.50 sq mi. | 0.24 sq mi. | 28.27 sq mi. |
A saw and grist mill was constructed in the vicinity of present-day Springfield between 1796 and 1800. Owned by James Keene, it gave its name to today'sOld Keene Mill Road. The mill served farms in the area for around sixty years before its discontinuation when William H. Keene was convicted and imprisoned for the 1855 murder of Lewis Quincy Hall. Nothing remains of it today save for twomill races.[5]
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Springfield was founded in 1847 around theOrange and Alexandria Railroad's Daingerfield Station; this is today theBacklick Road Virginia Railway Express station, located offBacklick Road. The area was named for "Springfield Farm", owned by Henry Daingerfield, an Alexandria businessman who sat on the railroad's board of directors. The Springfield post office was completed sometime after 1851. It was in existence at the time of theAmerican Civil War, being the site of a skirmish on October 3, 1861, and aConfederate raid on August 3, 1863. The station served as the first Springfield Post Office from 1866 to 1868.[6]
In 1877, Richard Moore petitioned for a post office, which he named Moor; it was located about a little over a mile south of the station, near the intersection of Fairfax (now Old Keene Mill) and Backlick roads. The post office name was changed in 1881 to Garfield to honor the latePresidentJames A. Garfield, who had been assassinated that year.
In 1907, the Garfield post office closed and a new postal station named Corbett, after the then-landowner, opened back at the railroad station.[6] The name "Springfield" was reinstated for good on June 27, 1910,[7] although the name Garfield continued to appear on maps at least through the 1930s.[8] The post office was moved to a new site in 1933.[6]
Until at least 1946, Springfield remained a rural crossroads, when real estate developer Edward Carr decided to subdivide the area for suburban development along the recently opened Henry Shirley Highway (now I-95/I-395). Carr believed this to be the last easily accessible tract within 12 miles (19 km) ofWashington, D.C., and the newly developed area grew quickly.[9]
In 1950, the area had an estimated population of 1,000;Springfield United Methodist Church was established in 1954 and John Lewis High School (Formerly Robert E. Lee) was built in 1957. By 1960, the population was reported as over 10,000; it grew past 25,000 by 1970 with the North and West Springfield neighborhoods.[10]
Between 1973 and 1975, Springfield became a major retail destination with the opening of theSpringfield Mall, now Springfield Town Center.[11] (the second regional shopping center in Northern Virginia after Tysons Corner), as well as the Springfield and Brookfield shopping centers.
In the 1980s and 1990s, retail and high-density housing expanded in the area, at least until the opening of the Franconia-Springfield Parkway in 1996, and the Franconia-Springfield Metro and Virginia Rail Express Station in 1997.
The mall was renovated and re-opened in 2014.[12]
The center of Springfield is at the intersection of Route 644 (Old Keene Mill Road / Franconia Road) and Route 617 (Backlick Road), which historically marked the location of Springfield’s original commercial core. This area has seen significant redevelopment since the early 2000s, including the construction of the Springfield Town Center and the adjacent Springfield Community Business Center, part of Fairfax County’s plan to encourage mixed-use development and urban revitalization.[13]
The old “Garfield” name survives in Garfield Elementary School, one of the area’s long-standing public schools, reflecting a former community name used during the early 20th century.[14]
One of the most prominent government buildings in Springfield is the headquarters of theNational Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), located at the Fort Belvoir North Area (FBNA). Completed in 2011 at a cost of over $1.7 billion, the campus consolidated several NGA facilities from across the region into a state-of-the-art intelligence complex housing over 8,500 employees. The building spans approximately 2.4 million square feet and plays a critical role in national security, defense mapping, and satellite intelligence.[15][16]
The historicSydenstricker School, a one-room schoolhouse completed in 1928, is located near West Springfield and was added to theNational Register of Historic Places in 2012. The building served as a public school and later as a community center and polling place. It remains one of the few surviving rural schoolhouses in Fairfax County and is maintained by the Upper Pohick Community League.[17][18]
Other notable buildings in the Springfield area include:
These civic, commercial, and historical structures reflect Springfield’s transformation from a rural rail stop into a densely developed suburban hub.
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As of thecensus[1] of 2010, there were 30,484 people, 12,431 houses, and 7,472 families residing in the Springfield CDP. The population density was 3,869.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,494.0/km2). There were 10,630 housing units at an average density of 1,345.6 per square mile (519.5/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 48.7%White, 9.0%African American, 0.7%Native American, 24.3%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 12.5% fromother races, and 4.7% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 25.5% of the population.
As of 2000, there were 10,495 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% weremarried couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.37. As of 2010, the average household size was 2.82.
In the Springfield CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.
The median income for a household in the Springfield CDP as of 2010 was $84,309, and the median income for a family was $95,158. In 2000, males had a median income of $45,679 versus $36,075 for females. Theper capita income for the CDP was $36,405.
The zip code population totals for the entire Springfield community (as defined by USPS) were as follows:
TheGreater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department (GSVFD), operating in partnership with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, provides fire suppression, emergency medical services (EMS), and rescue support for the Springfield area. The GSVFD operates out of Station 22, located at 7011 Backlick Road, and is staffed by a combination of career firefighters and trained volunteers. The station responds to thousands of calls annually, including structure fires, motor vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies.[21]
Additional fire and EMS coverage in the Springfield area is provided by Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Stations 5 (Franconia) and 32 (Fairview), which offer mutual aid to the surrounding neighborhoods.
Law enforcement services are provided by the Fairfax County Police Department through its West Springfield District Station, located at 6140 Rolling Road. This station covers much of Springfield, West Springfield, Burke, and parts of Fairfax Station. Officers are assigned to patrol, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, school resource duties, and community outreach programs.[22]
The Fairfax County Sheriff's Office provides supplemental public safety services, including managing the Adult Detention Center, serving civil processes, and maintaining courtroom security. Emergency communications are coordinated by the Department of Public Safety Communications, which handles 9-1-1 calls for police, fire, and EMS dispatch throughout the county.[23]
Springfield is also included in regional disaster planning coordinated by the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management, which supports preparedness efforts for natural disasters, hazardous materials incidents, and mass casualty events.
Springfield has historically served as a major retail and commercial hub in southern Fairfax County. The most prominent retail complex is the Springfield Town Center, formerly known as Springfield Mall, located near theSpringfield Interchange—a critical junction ofI-95,Interstate 395, and theCapital Beltway (I-495).
Originally opened in 1973,Springfield Mall was one of the largest enclosed shopping malls in Northern Virginia, with three anchor department stores—JCPenney,Macy's, andTarget—and over 100 smaller retailers and food court vendors. Its proximity to major highways and theFranconia–Springfield station made it a popular destination for regional shoppers.[24]
Despite its early success, the mall experienced a gradual decline in the late 1990s and early 2000s due to competition from newer shopping centers and rising concerns about safety. Several high-profile criminal incidents brought negative attention, including:
In 2005, the mall was purchased byVornado Realty Trust, which announced a complete redevelopment of the site. After years of planning and phased demolition, the original mall was closed and transformed into an open-air mixed-use complex called Springfield Town Center, which officially reopened in October 2014.[28][29]
Today, Springfield Town Center anchors a revitalized commercial zone that includes national retailers, a luxury movie theater, and plans for adjacent office, hotel, and residential development. It remains a central gathering place for the community and a key piece of Fairfax County’s urban planning for the greater Springfield area.[30]
Central Springfield is dominated by theSpringfield Interchange, popularly known as the "Mixing Bowl" or the "Melting Pot", a name taken from an earlier interchange nearthe Pentagon. The interchange includes threeInterstates (I-95,I-395, andI-495), with two exits less than a half mile apart, and two surface roads—Commerce Street andRoute 644 (Old Keene Mill Road / Franconia Road)—crossing I-95 in close succession. The interchange is further complicated by a separate, reversiblehigh-occupancy vehicle lane (HOV) facility passing through the center of two of the interstates, which has since been integrated into the region's Express Lanes network.
Built between 1999 and 2007 at a cost of $676 million, the Springfield Interchange Improvement Project was finished on time and on budget, according to theVirginia Department of Transportation, and was officially dedicated on July 18, 2007, by Virginia GovernorTimothy M. Kaine.[31]
As of the 2020s, the interchange handles over 430,000 vehicles per day, making it one of the busiest highway junctions in the Mid-Atlantic region.[32] To accommodate growing demand and improve traffic flow, recent upgrades have included:
Other major roads serving the Springfield area include:
These roads support both commuter and freight traffic and are closely tied to Springfield’s economic development and transportation planning.
Springfield is served by two major commuter rail systems that provide connectivity to Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia suburbs.
Springfield is a transit hub served by several local, regional, and intercity bus services:
The Franconia–Springfield Transit Center serves as a multimodal hub integrating Metro, VRE, Fairfax Connector, Metrobus, and intercity services. It is part of Fairfax County’s ongoing plans for transit-oriented development in the Springfield Community Business Center.[43]
Springfield is served by three major commercial airports and several smaller regional airports suitable for general aviation and military-connected travel.
Several smaller regional airports serve the Springfield area and are commonly used for general aviation, private aircraft, and Space-Available (Space-A) military flights:
These general aviation and military facilities offer additional flexibility for Springfield residents, particularly military families and federal employees who frequently travel on official or leisure status.
The corporate headquarters ofEnsco is physically located in theRavensworthcensus-designated place, with a Springfield postal address.[51][52]
Springfield is home to a number of corporate offices and federal contractors due to its strategic location near Washington, D.C., and its proximity to major highways and the Pentagon. Other employers in the region includeVSE Corporation, which provides logistics and engineering support to government agencies,[53] and several defense, intelligence, and IT firms clustered along Backlick Road and Port Royal Road in the Springfield Industrial Park.
The redevelopment ofSpringfield Mall intoSpringfield Town Center has played a significant role in revitalizing the local retail economy, attracting national retailers and dining establishments. The shopping center, now managed by PREIT, serves as the economic anchor for the Springfield Community Business Center (CBC), a designated redevelopment area supported by Fairfax County.[54]
Springfield’s economy is also supported by the adjacentU.S. Army installation atFort Belvoir, which provides direct and indirect employment to thousands of area residents. The nearbyNational Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) andDefense Logistics Agency (DLA) facilities further contribute to the area's federal employment base.
With ongoing infrastructure improvements and transit-oriented development plans around theFranconia–Springfield station, local planners envision continued growth in commercial office space, hospitality, and residential real estate.[55]
Public schools in Springfield are run byFairfax County Public Schools.[56]
Some Springfield neighborhoods feed schools outside the census-designated place limits, such as theLake Braddock,South County, andHayfield districts. Likewise, some Springfield schools are fed by neighborhoods outside the CDP limits.[57]
Elementary schools serving the Springfield area include: Cardinal Forest Elementary School (inWest Springfield CDP),[58] Crestwood Elementary School,[59] Garfield Elementary School,[60] Forestdale Elementary School,[61] Hunt Valley Elementary School,[62] Keene Mill Elementary School (West Springfield CDP),[63] Kings Glen Elementary School,[64] Kings Park Elementary School (inKings Park CDP),[65] Lynbrook Elementary School,[66] Newington Forest Elementary School,[67] North Springfield Elementary School (inNorth Springfield CDP),[68] Orange Hunt Elementary School,[69] Ravensworth Elementary School (inRavensworth CDP),[70] Rolling Valley Elementary School (West Springfield CDP),[71] Sangster Elementary School,[72] Springfield Estates Elementary School,[73] Saratoga Elementary School,[74] and West Springfield Elementary School (West Springfield CDP).[75]
Middle schools serving Springfield include Francis Scott Key Middle School[76] and Washington Irving Middle School (West Springfield CDP).[77]
High schools serving Springfield include John Lewis High School (formerly Robert E. Lee) andWest Springfield High School in West Springfield CDP;[78] the latter is home to the West Springfield Dance Team, which appeared on the television showAmerica's Got Talent.[79]
Private schools in the vicinity of Springfield include St. Bernadette School (of theRoman Catholic Diocese of Arlington) in West Springfield CDP,[80] Springfield Academy,[81] the Word of Life Christian Academy,[82] Iqra Elementary,[83] and Al-Qalam Academy.[84]
The medical campus ofNorthern Virginia Community College is located in Springfield. It offers a variety ofassociates degrees and certificates.[85]
TheFairfax County Public Library system operates two public library branches that serve the Springfield area: the Richard Byrd Library and the Pohick Regional Library.[86]
The Richard Byrd Library, located at 7250 Commerce Street, is named after famed aviator and explorerRichard E. Byrd, who was a native of Virginia. The library originally opened in 1965 and underwent a major renovation and expansion in 2010, which upgraded the building to 15,000 square feet and incorporated sustainable design features. It offers a wide selection of adult and youth materials, public computers, study rooms, a meeting space, and free Wi-Fi.[87]
The Pohick Regional Library, located at 6450 Sydenstricker Road near Burke and West Springfield, serves as a regional hub for the southern part of Fairfax County. Opened in 1987 and extensively renovated in 2017, the library includes a large collection of books, periodicals, and digital resources. It also features expanded children's programming, a teen space, multiple group study rooms, assistive technology, and dedicated genealogy and local history resources. The branch is named for the nearby historicPohick Church, which dates to the colonial era.[88]
Both branches offer regular community programming such as children’s story times, English language conversation groups, author talks, and workshops on digital literacy, genealogy, and job readiness. They are also designated voting precincts during Fairfax County elections and serve as public gathering spaces for Springfield residents.
ENSCO Headquarters 5400 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22151- The postal address indicates "Springfield, Virginia" though the location lies outside of theSpringfield census-designated place.
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