251 Area Code
| State: | Alabama |
| Top City: | Mobile |
| Timezone | Central |
| Current Time: |
Where Exactly is the Area Code 251 Located?
Area code 251 is a telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) serving southwestern Alabama, including the cities of Mobile, Prichard, Daphne, and other towns in the region.
It was created in 2001 as a split from the original area code 334, which previously served the entire southern half of Alabama. Today, area code 251 is the only area code that serves the southwestern part of Alabama.
What Time Zone is Associated with Area Code 251?
251 is located in the Central Time Zone, except for a small portion of Baldwin County which is in the Eastern Time Zone.
History of 251 Area Code
Area code 251 is a relatively new area code that was introduced on June 18, 2001. Prior to that, the region it serves, which includes southwestern Alabama, was part of area code 334, which covered most of the southern half of the state. The need for a new area code arose because of the rapid growth of telecommunications in the southern part of the state, which led to a shortage of phone numbers in the existing area code.
The North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) decided to split area code 334, with the southern and western portions of the region receiving the new area code 251. The split was necessary to ensure that there were enough phone numbers to meet the growing demand in the area.
The implementation of the new area code required significant changes to the telecommunications infrastructure in the region. Telephone companies had to update their databases and reprogram their switches to recognize the new area code. In addition, businesses and individuals in the affected area had to update their stationery, websites, and advertising materials to reflect the new area code.
Despite initial resistance from some residents and businesses who were unhappy about having to change their phone numbers, the transition to the new area code went relatively smoothly. Today, area code 251 serves a population of approximately 550,000 people in southwestern Alabama, including the cities of Mobile, Prichard, and Daphne, as well as many smaller towns and rural areas.
Top 10 Counties in Area Code 251
| County | Population |
| Mobile | 413,210 |
| Baldwin | 239,679 |
| Escambia | 37,630 |
| Washington | 16,684 |
| Clarke | 23,622 |
| Monroe | 20,733 |
| Conecuh | 12,358 |
| Choctaw | 13,170 |
| Wilcox | 10,326 |
| Marengo | 19,386 |
Top 10 Cities in Area Code 251
| City | Population |
| Mobile | 188,720 |
| Prichard | 21,751 |
| Daphne | 28,595 |
| Fairhope | 23,553 |
| Saraland | 14,576 |
| Foley | 19,303 |
| Spanish Fort | 9,640 |
| Bay Minette | 9,019 |
| Atmore | 9,070 |
| Chickasaw | 5,934 |
Top Telephone Carriers
| Landline Carriers | Wireless Carriers |
| AT&T | AT&T |
| Frontier Communications | Verizon Wireless |
| CenturyLink | T-Mobile |
| Windstream | Sprint |
| Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative | AT&T Mobility |
| Brindlee Mountain Telephone Company | Cellular South |
| Millry Telephone Company | – |
| The Southern Company | – |
| Pine Belt Telephone Company | – |
| Mon-Cre Telephone Cooperative | – |