So, you’re looking at a map of Northern Virginia and trying to pin down a Springfield VA zip code. It sounds simple. It should be simple. But if you’ve spent any time driving down Old Keene Mill Road or getting lost in the "mixing bowl" interchange where I-95, I-495, and I-395 collide, you know Springfield is a bit of a shapeshifter.
Honestly, it’s a mess of boundaries.
Depending on which set of five digits you put into your GPS, you could end up in a bustling commercial hub, a quiet suburban sanctuary, or a lakeside retreat. Most people assume Springfield is just one big blob of Fairfax County. It isn’t. Knowing the difference between 22150, 22152, and 22153 isn't just for mail delivery; it determines your commute, your property taxes, and even where your kids go to school.
The 22150 Breakdown: The Commercial Heart
When people think of the "core" of the area, they’re usually thinking of the 22150 Springfield VA zip code. This is the industrial and commercial engine. It’s home to the Springfield Town Center—which most of us still accidentally call the Springfield Mall—and the massive Joe Alexander Transportation Center.
If you live here, you’re basically neighbors with the Metro.
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The housing stock in 22150 is mostly older, established brick ramblers and split-levels built in the 1950s and 60s. Neighborhoods like Springfield Estates offer that classic post-war vibe. It's convenient. You can walk to the Giant or grab a pupusa at one of the local spots on Backlick Road without breaking a sweat. But there’s a trade-off. It’s loud. Between the train tracks and the heavy highway traffic, it’s never truly silent.
Investors love this zip code. Why? Because the proximity to the Blue Line makes it a rental goldmine for D.C. commuters who don't want to pay Arlington prices.
Moving West: The Appeal of 22152
Cross over the highway and head west. Suddenly, the landscape changes. This is West Springfield, primarily covered by the 22152 zip code. If 22150 is the "city" side, 22152 is the "forest" side.
You’ve got Accotink Creek running through here. You’ve got the Hidden Pond Nature Center.
The vibe in 22152 is distinctly more residential. You’ll find communities like Cardinal Forest or Orange Hunt where the trees are tall enough to hide the houses. People move here for West Springfield High School—one of the top-rated schools in the county. It’s the kind of place where you see people jogging at 6:00 AM and kids actually playing in cul-de-sacs.
But here is the catch.
The "slug" lines and express buses are your lifelines here. There is no Metro station in 22152. If you work at the Pentagon or in the District, you’re either piling into a stranger’s car at the Sydenstricker commuter lot (a local tradition called slugging) or you’re bracing for a 45-minute crawl down Braddock Road.
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The South Side: 22153 and the Newington Edge
Then there’s 22153. This Springfield VA zip code is technically Springfield, but everyone calls it Newington or Saratoga. It’s the southernmost tip.
It feels different.
In 22153, you get more house for your money. It’s common to find larger colonial-style homes and townhomes in neighborhoods like Newington Forest. You’re also closer to Fort Belvoir, which makes this a massive hub for military families. If you’re stationed at Belvoir, 22153 is the sweet spot. You avoid the nightmare of the main Springfield interchange while still being close enough to the Springfield Town Center for a weekend movie.
Lake Accotink Park is the crown jewel nearby, though technically it straddles the borders. It’s where you go to rent a pedal boat or walk the 4-mile loop when you need to forget you live in one of the most congested regions in America.
What the Post Office Won't Tell You About Your Address
Here is something that confuses everyone: North Springfield.
North Springfield actually uses the 22151 zip code. But wait—that zip code is technically shared with Springfield and Ravensworth. And then you have some areas that have a Springfield mailing address but are actually in the census-designated place (CDP) of Burke or Franconia.
It’s confusing.
The U.S. Postal Service cares about where your mail carrier starts their route, not necessarily where your neighborhood boundaries lie. This is why you might live in a house that says "Springfield" on the envelope, but you pay "Burke" prices for your local pool membership.
Always check the Fairfax County tax maps. They are the only real source of truth.
Property Values and the "Zip Code Premium"
Let’s talk money. Real estate in Northern Virginia is a blood sport.
In the 22152 zip code, you’re paying a premium for the schools and the quiet. A four-bedroom detached home here is going to run you significantly more than a similar house in 22150. According to local MLS data from late 2025, the median sales price in West Springfield stays consistently 10-15% higher than the central Springfield areas.
However, 22150 is catching up.
With the massive redevelopment of the "Springfield Gateway" and the influx of tech workers moving further south from Amazon’s HQ2 in Crystal City, the central Springfield VA zip code is seeing a surge in "pop-top" renovations. That’s when developers buy a tiny 1950s rambler, tear it down or add a second story, and sell it for double the price.
Traffic: The Great Springfield Equalizer
It doesn't matter which zip code you choose if you can't get out of your driveway.
The "Mixing Bowl" is the boogeyman of Springfield. It’s where I-95, I-395, and I-495 meet. If you live in 22150, you are right in the thick of it. If you live in 22153, you have the advantage of using the Fairfax County Parkway to bypass the worst of it.
Pro tip: If you’re looking at a house in any Springfield VA zip code, drive the commute on a Tuesday morning at 8:00 AM. Don’t do it on a Sunday. Sunday is a lie. Tuesday is reality.
The Weird History of the Springfield Border
Why is it so disjointed? Blame the 1950s.
Springfield was originally just a crossroads around a railway station. When the Shirley Highway (I-395) was built, it sliced the community in half. Then the beltway came through and sliced it again. What we call Springfield today is really just a collection of suburbs that grew into each other until the lines blurred.
There is no "downtown" Springfield. There is no central town hall. There is only the zip code and the school pyramid.
Actionable Steps for Choosing Your Springfield Zip Code
If you are planning to move or invest in a Springfield VA zip code, stop looking at the broad "Springfield" label and start looking at the specific digits.
- Prioritize Commute? Look at 22150. You want to be within a two-mile radius of the Franconia-Springfield Metro station. This is the only way to guarantee a sane commute into D.C. or the Pentagon without relying on the unpredictable HOV lanes.
- Prioritize Schools and Quiet? Focus on 22152. Specifically, look for homes in the West Springfield High School pyramid. This area has the most stable property values and the least amount of "cut-through" traffic from the interstate.
- Military or Budget-Conscious? Target 22153. You’ll find the best price-per-square-foot here, and the back-gate access to Fort Belvoir via the Fairfax County Parkway will save you hours of your life every single week.
- Verify the Jurisdiction. Before you sign a lease or a mortgage, use the Fairfax County My Neighborhood tool. Input the specific address to see exactly which police district, school district, and supervisor district the property falls into. Zip codes lie; tax maps don't.
- Check the Flood Plains. Much of Springfield sits near Accotink Creek or its tributaries. Check the FEMA flood maps for any property in the 22152 or 22151 area. A "great deal" on a house might just be because it requires $3,000 a year in flood insurance.
Springfield is one of the most practical places to live in Northern Virginia. It isn't flashy like Arlington or historic like Alexandria, but it's the functional core of the county. Whether you end up in the 22150, 22152, or 22153, you're positioned at the literal center of everything—just make sure you know which side of the highway you're on before you settle in.