256 Area Code
| State: | Alabama |
| Top City: | Huntsville |
| Timezone | Central |
| Current Time: |
Where Exactly is the Area Code 256 Located?
Area code 256 covers northeastern Alabama, including Huntsville, Decatur, and Madison. It was created in 1998 as a split from area code 205. The area is home to major employers and institutions, such as NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
An overlay area code (938) was added in 2010 to accommodate a demand for phone numbers, serving the same geographic area as 256 and requiring ten-digit dialing for local calls. The area is also known for its natural beauty, including the Tennessee River and the Appalachian Mountains.
What Time Zone is Associated with Area Code 256?
Area code 256 corresponds to northwestern Alabama in the United States. Northwestern Alabama is in the Central Time Zone, which is UTC -6 or GMT -5.
History of 251 Area Code
Area code 256 was created in 1998 as a split from area code 205, which previously covered the entire state of Alabama. The split was necessary due to the increasing demand for phone numbers in the northeastern part of the state, which includes the cities of Huntsville, Decatur, and Madison.
The creation of area code 256 was part of a larger effort to relieve pressure on the state’s existing area codes, which were running out of available phone numbers. The new area code helped to ensure that residents and businesses in northeastern Alabama could continue to receive new phone numbers and stay connected.
In addition to serving as a hub for science and technology, the region covered by area code 256 has a rich history and cultural heritage. The area was home to several Native American tribes, including the Cherokee and Chickasaw, prior to European settlement. Later, it played a significant role in the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement.
Today, the 256 area code continues to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of its residents and businesses. In 2010, an overlay area code (938) was added to the region to provide additional phone numbers and ensure continued connectivity. Overall, the history of area code 256 is closely intertwined with the history and development of northeastern Alabama, and it remains an important part of the region’s infrastructure and identity.
Top 10 Counties in Area Code 256
| Counties | Population |
| Madison County | 379,453 |
| Calhoun County | 113,469 |
| Morgan County | 119,883 |
| Etowah County | 102,268 |
| Lauderdale County | 92,590 |
| Marshall County | 96,774 |
| Limestone County | 98,915 |
| DeKalb County | 71,109 |
| Colbert County | 54,216 |
| Jackson County | 52,419 |
Top 10 Cities in Area Code 256
| Counties | Population |
| Huntsville | 201,574 |
| Decatur | 54,264 |
| Florence | 40,428 |
| Gadsden | 34,749 |
| Madison | 33,909 |
| Athens | 28,643 |
| Albertville | 22,158 |
| Oxford | 21,180 |
| Anniston | 20,688 |
| Scottsboro | 14,770 |
Top Telephone Carriers
| Landline | Wireless |
| AT&T | Verizon |
| CenturyLink | T-Mobile |
| WOW! | Sprint |
| Windstream | US Cellular |