| Springfield, Virginia | |
| Pushpin Map: | USA Virginia Northern#USA Virginia#USA |
| Pushpin Label: | Springfield |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Fairfax |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 28.50 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 28.27 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.24 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 108,621 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 3811 |
| Timezone: | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Timezone Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -4 |
| Elevation M: | 75 |
| Elevation Ft: | 246 |
| Coordinates: | 38.7886°N -77.1794°W |
| Postal Code: | 22150, 22151, 22152, 22153 |
| Area Codes: | 703, 571 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 51-74592[1] |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 1493642 |
Springfield is an unincorporated community in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The common definition of Springfield is the four ZIP codes that use Springfield in their mailing addresses (22150, 22151, 22152, 22153). Together, they had a population of 108,621 as of the 2020 Census. (This should not be confused with the narrowly-defined Springfield census-designated place with a population of 31,339.) Springfield is a part of Northern Virginia, the most populous region of the Washington Metropolitan Area.
Springfield is located at 38.7792°N -77.1844°W (38.779238, â77.184636).[2]
According to the United 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 of I-95, I-395, and the Capital Beltway (I-495), known as the Springfield Interchange. The center of the town is at the intersection of Route 644 (Old Keene Mill Road / Franconia Road) and Route 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 four ZIP codes:
The following are total area, water area, and land area statistics (in square miles) for the four Springfield zip codes:[3]
| 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's Old 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 two mill races.[4]
Springfield was founded in 1847 around the Orange and Alexandria Railroad's Daingerfield Station; this is today the Backlick Road Virginia Railway Express station, located off Backlick 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 the American Civil War, being the site of a skirmish on October 3, 1861, and a Confederate raid on August 3, 1863. The station served as the first Springfield Post Office from 1866 to 1868.[5]
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 late President James 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.[5] The name "Springfield" was reinstated for good on June 27, 1910,[6] although the name Garfield continued to appear on maps at least through the 1930s.[7] The post office was moved to a new site in 1933.[5]
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 12miles of Washington, D.C., and the newly developed area grew quickly.[8]
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.[9]
Between 1973 and 1975, Springfield became a major retail destination with the opening of the Springfield Mall, now Springfield Town Center.[10] (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.[11]
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 Springfieldâs 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 Countyâs plan to encourage mixed-use development and urban revitalization.[12]
The old âGarfieldâ name survives in Garfield Elementary School, one of the areaâs long-standing public schools, reflecting a former community name used during the early 20th century.[13]
One of the most prominent government buildings in Springfield is the headquarters of the National 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.[14] [15]
The historic Sydenstricker Schoolhouse, a one-room schoolhouse completed in 1928, is located near West Springfield and was added to the National 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.[16] [17]
Other notable buildings in the Springfield area include:
These civic, commercial, and historical structures reflect Springfieldâs transformation from a rural rail stop into a densely developed suburban hub.
According to the 2020 Census, Springfield has a population of 108,521 in 35,293 households. Median household income was over $156,000. 59% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher. 28% has a graduate of professional degree. 26% of residents are employed by local, state, or federal governments. 9.5% are veterans. 23% of residents are children under the age of 18.[20] [21] [22] [23]
| Total population | 108,521 | 27,955 | 18,026 | 29,843 | 32,697 | |
| Total households | 35,293 | 9,373 | 5,506 | 9,443 | 10,971 | |
| Median household income | $156,027 | $123,114 | $156,015 | $165,906 | $174,228 | |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 58.9% | 46.0% | 52.7% | 65.0% | 67.7% | |
| Graduate of professional degree | 27.5% | 20.3% | 20.6% | 31.2% | 34.2% | |
| Total housing units | 36,385 | 9,703 | 5,820 | 9,723 | 11,139 | |
| Homeownership rate | 63.4% | 87.0% | 85.8% | 89.6% | ||
| Under 18 years old | 23.1% | 20.9% | 20.1% | 26.6% | 23.6% | |
| Local, state, or federal government worker | 26.2% | 22.8% | 19.7% | 30.4% | 28.7% | |
| Veteran | 9.5% | 9.1% | 6.6% | 10.0% | 10.9% | |
| Foreign-Born | 29.7% | 40.7% | 32.5% | 27.2% | 20.9% | |
| White | 47.0% | 32.8% | 44.2% | 53.5% | 54.8% | |
| Black | 9.7% | 10.0% | 5.4% | 10.0% | 11.4% | |
| Asian | 20.4% | 26.4% | 24.4% | 17.2% | 15.9% | |
| Native American | 0.5% | 0.8% | 0.7% | 0.4% | 0.3% | |
| Pacific Islander | 0.1% | < 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | |
| Some other race | 9.7% | 18.2% | 12.9% | 5.3% | 4.6% | |
| Two or more races | 12.7% | 11.8% | 12.4% | 13.6% | 12.7% | |
| Hispanic or Latino of any race | 12.9% | 29.7% | 23.7% | 15.0% | 13.4% |
The Greater 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.[24]
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.[25]
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.[26]
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.
See main article: Springfield Mall (Virginia).
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 the Springfield Interchangeâa critical junction of I-95, Interstate 395, and the Capital Beltway (I-495).
Originally opened in 1973, Springfield Mall was one of the largest enclosed shopping malls in Northern Virginia, with three anchor department storesâJCPenney, Macy's, and Targetâand over 100 smaller retailers and food court vendors. Its proximity to major highways and the FranconiaâSpringfield station made it a popular destination for regional shoppers.[27]
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 by Vornado 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.[31] [32]
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 Countyâs urban planning for the greater Springfield area.[33]
Central Springfield is dominated by the Springfield Interchange, popularly known as the "Mixing Bowl" or the "Melting Pot", a name taken from an earlier interchange near the Pentagon. The interchange includes three Interstates (I-95, I-395, and I-495), with two exits less than a half mile apart, and two surface roadsâCommerce Street and Route 644 (Old Keene Mill Road / Franconia Road)âcrossing I-95 in close succession. The interchange is further complicated by a separate, reversible high-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 the Virginia Department of Transportation, and was officially dedicated on July 18, 2007, by Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine.[34]
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.[35] 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 Springfieldâs 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 FranconiaâSpringfield Transit Center serves as a multimodal hub integrating Metro, VRE, Fairfax Connector, Metrobus, and intercity services. It is part of Fairfax Countyâs ongoing plans for transit-oriented development in the Springfield Community Business Center.[46]
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 of Ensco is physically located in the Ravensworth census-designated place, with a Springfield postal address.[54] [55]
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 include VSE Corporation, which provides logistics and engineering support to government agencies,[56] and several defense, intelligence, and IT firms clustered along Backlick Road and Port Royal Road in the Springfield Industrial Park.
The redevelopment of Springfield Mall into Springfield 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.[57]
Springfieldâs economy is also supported by the adjacent U.S. Army installation at Fort Belvoir, which provides direct and indirect employment to thousands of area residents. The nearby National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) facilities further contribute to the area's federal employment base.
With ongoing infrastructure improvements and transit-oriented development plans around the FranconiaâSpringfield station, local planners envision continued growth in commercial office space, hospitality, and residential real estate.[58]
Public schools in Springfield are run by Fairfax County Public Schools.[59]
Some Springfield neighborhoods feed schools outside the census-designated place limits, such as the Lake Braddock, South County, and Hayfield districts. Likewise, some Springfield schools are fed by neighborhoods outside the CDP limits.[60]
Elementary schools serving the Springfield area include: Cardinal Forest Elementary School (in West Springfield CDP),[61] Crestwood Elementary School,[62] Garfield Elementary School,[63] Forestdale Elementary School,[64] Hunt Valley Elementary School,[65] Keene Mill Elementary School (West Springfield CDP),[66] Kings Glen Elementary School,[67] Kings Park Elementary School (in Kings Park CDP),[68] Lynbrook Elementary School,[69] Newington Forest Elementary School,[70] North Springfield Elementary School (in North Springfield CDP),[71] Orange Hunt Elementary School,[72] Ravensworth Elementary School (in Ravensworth CDP),[73] Rolling Valley Elementary School (West Springfield CDP),[74] Sangster Elementary School,[75] Springfield Estates Elementary School,[76] Saratoga Elementary School,[77] and West Springfield Elementary School (West Springfield CDP).[78]
Middle schools serving Springfield include Francis Scott Key Middle School[79] and Washington Irving Middle School (West Springfield CDP).[80]
High schools serving Springfield include John Lewis High School (formerly Robert E. Lee) and West Springfield High School in West Springfield CDP;[81] the latter is home to the West Springfield Dance Team, which appeared on the television show America's Got Talent.[82]
Private schools in the vicinity of Springfield include St. Bernadette School (of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arlington) in West Springfield CDP,[83] Springfield Academy,[84] the Word of Life Christian Academy,[85] Iqra Elementary,[86] and Al-Qalam Academy.[87]
The medical campus of Northern Virginia Community College is located in Springfield. It offers a variety of associates degrees and certificates.[88]
The Fairfax County Public Library system operates two public library branches that serve the Springfield area: the Richard Byrd Library and the Pohick Regional Library.[89]
The Richard Byrd Library, located at 7250 Commerce Street, is named after famed aviator and explorer Richard 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.[90]
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 historic Pohick Church, which dates to the colonial era.[91]
Both branches offer regular community programming such as childrenâs 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.
