Area code 205

Region covered by area code 205 in Alabama.

205 is the North American telephone area code for western and central Alabama, including the cities of Birmingham and Tuscaloosa.

It was created in 1947 as the sole area code in Alabama. By the 1990s, it was increasingly obvious that Alabama could not stay in one area code. In addition to the state's rapid growth, the state was running out of numbers due to the proliferation of cell phones and pagers. The supply of numbers was further limited because the state is part of several LATAs that spill into neighboring states. Much of eastern Alabama, for instance, is part of the Atlanta LATA.

Finally, in 1995, the southern half of the state--everything from Montgomery southward--was split off as area code 334. It was reduced to its current size in 1998, when the northern and eastern portions became area code 256.[1]

Area code 659 is scheduled to provide numbering relief for the 205 area but no implementation date has been announced.

Counties located in area code 205

Cities located in area code 205

See also

References

  1. Lowry, Bob (March 4, 2009). "Flex your fingers for 10-digit dialing in 2010". The Huntsville Times.

External links

Alabama area codes: 205, 251, 256, 334, 938
North: 256/938
West: 601/769, 662 area code 205 East: 256/938
South: 251, 334
Mississippi area codes: 228, 601, 662, 769

Coordinates: 33°34′N 87°18′W / 33.567°N 87.300°W