List of Alabama area codes
The state of Alabama is served by five area codes. When the first area code plan was introduced in 1947, area code 205 covered the entire state. In 1995, 334 was created for the southern half of the state. 205 was divided further in 1998, when north and eastern Alabama were placed under 256. The southwestern part of the state was split from 334 in 2001, forming area code 251. A fifth area code, 938, overlays 256 as of July 2010.
Current
| Area code | Established | Region | Map | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 205 | January 1, 1947 | Central and west central portions of the state including Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, Northport, Jasper, Oneonta, Clanton, and Pell City. Covered the entire state before the creation of Area code 334. | 
|
[1] |
| 334 | January 15, 1995 | South central and southeastern portions of the state including Montgomery, Auburn-Opelika, Dothan, Valley, and Selma. Originally covered the entire southern half of the state, until Area code 251 was split off. | 
|
[2] |
| 256/938 | March 23, 1998 July 10, 2010 |
Northern and east central portions of the state including Huntsville-Decatur, Florence-Muscle Shoals, Gadsden, Anniston, Alexander City, and Sylacauga
Area code 938 is an overlay of 256. 10 digit dialing began in June 2010 and "938" numbers are assignable as of July 10, 2010. |
|
[3][4][5] |
| 251 | June 18, 2001 | Southwestern portions of the state including Mobile, Monroeville, Atmore, Gulf Shores, and Daphne | 
|
[6] |
Proposed
- 659 — Area code 659 was proposed as an overlay for the areas covered by the 205 area code in 2001. The proposal was subsequently put on hold indefinitely by the Alabama Public Service Commission after it was determined demand for new numbers within the existing 205 service area did not warrant the overlay.[7] As of March 2008, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator does not rate the 205 area as being in "jeopardy" of exhausting its numbers.[8]
References
- ^ NPA Code Search Information: 205, North American Numbering Plan Administrator, retrieved 2008-03-22
- ^ Diel, Stan (December 15, 1994), "Ma Bell gives time to adjust to new code", The Birmingham News, p. B1
- ^ Underwood, Jerry (March 16, 1998), "Countdown starts to new area code:2...5...6", The Birmingham News, p. 1A
- ^ Lowry, Bob (March 4, 2009), "Flex your fingers for 10-digit dialing in 2010", The Huntsville Times
- ^ "Order for Relief of the 256 Numbering Plan Area" (PDF). Alabama Public Service Commission. March 3, 2009.
- ^ McCauley, Charles R. (February 14, 2001), "Southwest Alabama to get new area code", The Birmingham News, p. News
- ^ McCauley, Charles R. (July 11, 2001), "10-digit dialing in hold: PSC throws out plan for 659 area code for now", The Birmingham News, p. News
- ^ NPA Code Search Information: 659, North American Numbering Plan Administrator, retrieved 2008-03-22