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Springfield, Virginia

Coordinates: 38°47′19″N 77°10′46″W / 38.78861°N 77.17944°W / 38.78861; -77.17944
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Springfield, Virginia
Census-designated place (CDP)
Central Springfield Business District, seen from Springfield Town Center in October 2014
Central Springfield Business District, seen from Springfield Town Center in October 2014
Flag of Springfield, Virginia
Flag
Location of Springfield in Fairfax County, Virginia
Location of Springfield in Fairfax County, Virginia
Springfield is located in Northern Virginia
Springfield
Springfield
Springfield is located in Virginia
Springfield
Springfield
Springfield is located in the United States
Springfield
Springfield
Coordinates: 38°47′19″N 77°10′46″W / 38.78861°N 77.17944°W / 38.78861; -77.17944
Country United States
State Virginia
County Fairfax
Area
 • Total7.9 sq mi (20.4 km2)
 • Land7.9 sq mi (20.3 km2)
 • Water0.0 sq mi (0.1 km2)
Elevation
246 ft (75 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total31,339
 • Density3,966.9/sq mi (1,536.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Area code(s)703, 571
FIPS code51-74592[1]
GNIS feature ID1493642[2]

Springfield is a census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The Springfield CDP is recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau with a population of 31,339 as of the 2020 census. Previously, per the 2010 census, the population was 30,484. Homes and businesses in bordering CDPs including North Springfield, West Springfield, and Newington are usually given a Springfield mailing address. The population of the collective areas with Springfield addresses is estimated to exceed 100,000. The CDP is a part of Northern Virginia, the most populous region of the Washington Metropolitan Area.

Geography

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Springfield is located at 38°46′45″N 77°11′4″W / 38.77917°N 77.18444°W / 38.77917; -77.18444 (38.779238, −77.184636).[3]

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) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2) of it (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:

  • 22150 (often unofficially referred to as Central Springfield, this is the zip code for the actual Springfield CDP itself.)
  • 22151 (North Springfield)
  • 22152 (West Springfield)
  • 22153 (Burke/West Springfield/Newington Forest)

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.

History

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19th century

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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.[5]

Apartment complex in Springfield
MetroPark complex of offices

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 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.[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 late President James A. Garfield, who had been assassinated that year.

20th century

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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) of Washington, 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 the Springfield 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.

21st century

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The mall was renovated and re-opened in 2014.[12]

Buildings

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National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency building at the Fort Belvoir North Area in Springfield

The center of Springfield is at Route 644 (Old Keene Mill Road / Franconia Road) and Route 617. The old "Garfield" name still survives in the nearby Garfield Elementary School.

The Sydenstricker School, completed in 1928, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.[13]

Demographics

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Commerce Plaza, one of a number of strip malls in Springfield containing a variety of ethnic restaurants

As of the census[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% from other races, and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino 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% were married 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. The per 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:

  • 22150: 22,208
  • 22151: 16,587
  • 22152: 28,236
  • 22153: 33,177
  • Total: 100,208

Public safety

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The Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department's fire station at 7011 Backlick Road provides fire and EMS services to Springfield.[14]

The West Springfield District Police Station of the Fairfax County Police Department is at 6140 Rolling Road.[15]

Shopping

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Residential area in northern Springfield, along Backlick Road near the border of Springfield and North Springfield
Main article: Springfield Mall (Virginia)

Springfield Mall was a large indoor shopping mall near the Springfield Interchange, the intersection of Interstate highways I-95 and I-495. It contained several anchor stores and a food court. In 2001, two of the hijackers in the September 11 attacks, Hani Hanjour and Khalid al-Mihdhar, illegally obtained state identification at the mall's DMV office.[16] In 2005, gang members stabbed two people at the mall.[17] and a fatal shooting occurred in December 2007.[18]

In 2005, the mall was purchased by Vornado Realty Trust, which closed the structure, renovated and reopened it in 2014 as "Springfield Town Center".[19][20]

Transportation

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Roads

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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, with two roads (Commerce Street and Route 644 (Old Keene Mill Road / Franconia Road)) going over or under I-95 within less than a half mile, and is further complicated by the presence of a separate, reversible high-occupancy vehicle lane passing through the center of two of the interstates.

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 dedicated on July 18, 2007, by Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine.[21]

Mass transit

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Rail

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Franconia–Springfield Metro Station

Bus

[edit]

Airports

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The closest airport to Springfield is the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, in Crystal City, Virginia. Other airports include the Washington Dulles International Airport, located in Chantilly and Sterling, Virginia, as well as Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Linthicum, Maryland.

Economy

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The corporate headquarters of Ensco is physically located in the Ravensworth census-designated place, with a Springfield postal address.[22][23]

Education

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Public schools in Springfield are run by Fairfax County Public Schools.[24]

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.[25]

Elementary schools serving the Springfield area include: Cardinal Forest Elementary School (in West Springfield CDP),[26] Crestwood Elementary School,[27] Garfield Elementary School,[28] Forestdale Elementary School,[29] Hunt Valley Elementary School,[30] Keene Mill Elementary School (West Springfield CDP),[31] Kings Glen Elementary School,[32] Kings Park Elementary School (in Kings Park CDP),[33] Lynbrook Elementary School,[34] Newington Forest Elementary School,[35] North Springfield Elementary School (in North Springfield CDP),[36] Orange Hunt Elementary School,[37] Ravensworth Elementary School (in Ravensworth CDP),[38] Rolling Valley Elementary School (West Springfield CDP),[39] Sangster Elementary School,[40] Springfield Estates Elementary School,[41] Saratoga Elementary School,[42] and West Springfield Elementary School (West Springfield CDP).[43]

Middle schools serving Springfield include Francis Scott Key Middle School[44] and Washington Irving Middle School (West Springfield CDP).[45]

High schools serving Springfield include John Lewis High School (formerly Robert E. Lee) and West Springfield High School in West Springfield CDP;[46] the latter is home to the West Springfield Dance Team, which appeared on the television show America's Got Talent.[47]

Private schools in the vicinity of Springfield include St. Bernadette School (of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arlington) in West Springfield CDP,[48] Springfield Academy,[49] the Word of Life Christian Academy,[50] Iqra Elementary,[51] and Al-Qalam Academy.[52]

The medical campus of Northern Virginia Community College is located in Springfield. It offers a variety of associates degrees and certificates. [53]

Notable people

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Library

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The Fairfax County Public Library system operates the Richard Byrd Library, and Pohick Regional Library.[54][55]

References

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  1. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ "Fairfax County Road Map." Virginia Department of Transportation. 2004.
  4. ^ "US Census". Factfinder.census.gov. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
  5. ^ "Keene Mill Marker". hmdb.org. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  6. ^ a b c "Springfield Station Marker". hmdb.org. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  7. ^ Yearbook, The Historical Society of Fairfax County, Volume 29, 2003–2004, Jack Hiller
  8. ^ Map of Fairfax County. Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Highways. Richmond, VA: June 1, 1932. Revised July 1, 1936. Library of Virginia Digital Collections. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  9. ^ "Alexandria, Kingstowne and Springfield Virginia real estate listings, home buying, selling and relocation information – NUMBER1EXPERT(tm)". Hellovirginia.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
  10. ^ Number of Inhabitants, Bureau of the Census 1960 and 1970
  11. ^ Fairfax County Department of Taxation, DTA Property Search profile
  12. ^ "Springfield Town Center reopens Oct. 17. Here's what it looks like now". Washington Post. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  13. ^ "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  14. ^ "Welcome to : Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department". gsvfd.org. Archived from the original on March 3, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  15. ^ "West Springfield District Police Station". fairfaxcounty.gov. Archived from the original on March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  16. ^ "Hijackers' helper faces two years max", Timothy P. Carney, Human Events, December 24, 2001
  17. ^ "Police Make Arrest In Springfield Mall Stabbing Incident", December 1, 2005
  18. ^ Jackman, Tom (April 26, 2008). "2 Indicted in Alleged Gang Killing at Springfield Mall". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  19. ^ "Springfield Town Center". Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  20. ^ "Vornado Develops Town Center at Springfield Mall" Archived 2006-10-25 at the Wayback Machine, Divaris Real Estate, Inc.
  21. ^ "Bowl-ed over". The Washington Times. July 19, 2007. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  22. ^ "Home". Ensco. Retrieved December 4, 2020. ENSCO Headquarters 5400 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22151 - The postal address indicates "Springfield, Virginia" though the location lies outside of the Springfield census-designated place.
  23. ^ "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Ravensworth CDP, VA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 4, 2020. - Compare to the physical location of the headquarters.
  24. ^ "Fairfax County Public School Directory Archived 2010-05-27 at the Wayback Machine" as of April 5, 2012.
  25. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 19, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  26. ^ "Cardinal Forest Elementary School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  27. ^ "Crestwood Elementary School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  28. ^ "Garfield Elementary School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  29. ^ "Forestdale Elementary". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  30. ^ "FCPS School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  31. ^ "Keene Mill Elementary School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  32. ^ "Kings Glen Elementary School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  33. ^ "Kings Park Elementary School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  34. ^ "Lynbrook Elementary School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  35. ^ "Newington Forest Elementary School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  36. ^ "North Springfield Elementary School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  37. ^ "Orange Hunt Elementary School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  38. ^ "Ravensworth ES". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  39. ^ "Rolling Valley Elementary". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  40. ^ "Sangster Elementary School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  41. ^ "Springfield Estates Elementary School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  42. ^ "Saratoga Elementary School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  43. ^ "West Springfield Elementary". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  44. ^ "Key Middle School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  45. ^ "Irving Middle School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  46. ^ "West Springfield High School". fcps.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  47. ^ "West Springfield dance team returns from 'America's Got Talent' stint". Washington Post. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  48. ^ "St. Bernadette School". stbernpar.org. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  49. ^ "Private School, Nondenominational Christian School – North Springfield, VA". springfieldacademy.org. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  50. ^ "Private Christian School in Springfield VA, Northern Virginia, Alexandria – Word of Life Christian Academy". wolca.org. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  51. ^ "Iqra Elementary School | Educating and Nurturing the Youth". iqraelementary.com. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  52. ^ "Al-Qalam Academy | Al-Qalam of Springfield VA". www.alqalamacademyforgirls.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  53. ^ "Medical Education Campus (Springfield) :: Northern Virginia Community College". Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  54. ^ "Library Branches." Fairfax County Public Library. Retrieved on October 21, 2009.
  55. ^ "Springfield CDP, Virginia[permanent dead link‍]." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on October 21, 2009.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Springfield, Virginia.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Springfield (Virginia).
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