| Revision as of 22:09, 17 January 2006 editIthacan (talk | contribs)137 edits →Culture← Previous edit | Revision as of 00:51, 26 January 2006 edit undo65.126.18.2 (talk) →CultureNext edit → | ||
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| As a suburb with a particularly transient population, there is little local culture in Springfield's brief history. It is characterized by a genuine wealth of strip malls and plazas. Some of them are quite old and have been remodelled repeatedly over the decades due to their continuing economic viability. Springfield is popular for its affordable multi-ethnic cuisine, including Chinese, Mexican, Afghani, Vietnamese, Thai, and Indian eateries. | As a suburb with a particularly transient population, there is little local culture in Springfield's brief history. It is characterized by a genuine wealth of strip malls and plazas. Some of them are quite old and have been remodelled repeatedly over the decades due to their continuing economic viability. Springfield is popular for its affordable multi-ethnic cuisine, including Chinese, Mexican, Afghani, Vietnamese, Thai, and Indian eateries. | ||
| Springfield is also well-known throughout the area for ], a large local hardware store with an almost ] atmosphere that |
Springfield is also well-known throughout the area for ], a large local hardware store with an almost ] atmosphere that thrives by providing ubiquitous and highly knowledgeable customer service, informal referral relationships with other stores (including ]), and by filling underserved niches. Other businesses indigenous to the area include ], a small game development and publishing company with offices in Springfield. | ||
| Currently (as of 2005), central Springfield is dominated by the over half-billion dollar ] highway project. The interchange is popularly known as '''The Mixing Bowl''' since it involves three interstates, has two exits less than a half mile away, has two unconnected roads going over or under one of the interstates less than a half mile away, and is further complicated by the presence of a separate, reversable ] lane passing through the center of two of the interstates. | Currently (as of 2005), central Springfield is dominated by the over half-billion dollar ] highway project. The interchange is popularly known as '''The Mixing Bowl''' since it involves three interstates, has two exits less than a half mile away, has two unconnected roads going over or under one of the interstates less than a half mile away, and is further complicated by the presence of a separate, reversable ] lane passing through the center of two of the interstates. | ||
Revision as of 00:51, 26 January 2006
Springfield is a census-designated place and an unincorporated community located in Fairfax County, Virginia. Recognized as a census designated place by the U.S. Census Bureau, the community had a total population of 30,417 as of the 2000 census.
Geography
Springfield is located at 38°47'19" North, 77°10'46" West (38.788713, -77.179363)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 25.4 km² (9.8 mi²). 25.3 km² (9.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.31% water.
The area is centered around the interchange of I-95, I-395, and the Capital Beltway, known as the Springfield Interchange. This massive highway complex has been undergoing reconstruction and expansion for the past several years. Springfield Interchange Project A significant commercial district exists around the interchange area, although the rest of the community is primarily residential in character.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 30,417 people, 10,495 households, and 7,472 families residing in the CDP. The population density is 1,203.3/km² (3,117.9/mi²). There are 10,832 housing units at an average density of 428.5/km² (1,110.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP is 57.77% White, 8.95% African American, 0.30% Native American, 20.55% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 7.75% from other races, and 4.63% from two or more races. 17.66% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 10,495 households out of which 32.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% are married couples living together, 8.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% are non-families. 22.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.88 and the average family size is 3.37.
In the CDP the population is spread out with 23.5% 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP is $69,640, and the median income for a family is $73,903. Males have a median income of $45,679 versus $36,075 for females. The per capita income for the CDP is $27,807. 5.1% of the population and 3.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.4% of those under the age of 18 and 3.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Culture
As a suburb with a particularly transient population, there is little local culture in Springfield's brief history. It is characterized by a genuine wealth of strip malls and plazas. Some of them are quite old and have been remodelled repeatedly over the decades due to their continuing economic viability. Springfield is popular for its affordable multi-ethnic cuisine, including Chinese, Mexican, Afghani, Vietnamese, Thai, and Indian eateries.
Springfield is also well-known throughout the area for Fischer's Hardware, a large local hardware store with an almost anachronistic atmosphere that thrives by providing ubiquitous and highly knowledgeable customer service, informal referral relationships with other stores (including Home Depot), and by filling underserved niches. Other businesses indigenous to the area include Skirmisher Publishing LLC, a small game development and publishing company with offices in Springfield.
Currently (as of 2005), central Springfield is dominated by the over half-billion dollar Springfield Interchange highway project. The interchange is popularly known as The Mixing Bowl since it involves three interstates, has two exits less than a half mile away, has two unconnected roads going over or under one of the interstates less than a half mile away, and is further complicated by the presence of a separate, reversable HOV lane passing through the center of two of the interstates.
Springfield's emblematic destination point is Springfield Mall, a large indoor shopping mall. It is typical of American shopping malls in its variety of stores, along with several "anchor" stores such as Macy's, two movie theaters, and a food court. Springfield Mall is particularly popular with teenagers and the local Hispanic community. In recent years, however, the establishment has fallen into severe disrepair and has experienced rashes of gang violence and robbery.
Springfield remains a conservative stronghold in increasingly left-leaning Northern Virginia. This may be due in part to the prevalence of military families living near Fort Belvoir and the highly commercial nature of the area.