Where is Area Code 253?
Area code 253 serves the western portion of Washington state, primarily covering Pierce County and surrounding areas. This geographic area code encompasses several major population centers and communities in the Puget Sound region. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) regulates telecommunications services within this area code, ensuring reliable phone service for residents and businesses.
Major locations served by the 253 area code include:
- Tacoma (primary city)
- Lakewood
- Puyallup
- University Place
- Fife
- Bonney Lake
- Sumner
- Gig Harbor
- Fircrest
- Milton
- Edgewood
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC)
621 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey, WA 98503
Phone: 360-664-1160
TTY: 1-800-833-6384 or 711
What time zone is 253 area code in the USA?
The 253 area code operates within the Pacific Time Zone (PT), which is 8 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-8). This time zone follows daylight saving time practices, shifting to Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC-7) from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November each year. During standard time (winter months), the area observes Pacific Standard Time (PST).
For precise time information in the 253 area code region, residents can check the official U.S. time through the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
History of the 253 Area Code
The 253 area code was established in 1997 as part of a geographic split from the original 206 area code that had previously served the entire Puget Sound region. This split became necessary due to the rapid population growth and increasing demand for telephone numbers in western Washington during the 1990s.
Key developments in the history of area code 253 include:
- 1947: The original 206 area code was established as one of the first area codes under the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) system, covering the entire state of Washington.
- 1995: The 360 area code was created to serve western and eastern Washington, leaving 206 to serve the greater Seattle area.
- 1997: Area code 253 was implemented on April 27 to serve Tacoma and southern Pierce County.
- 2000: Additional relief was needed for the region, leading to the creation of the 425 area code for the eastern suburbs of Seattle.
The creation of the 253 area code was part of a broader trend of area code proliferation across the United States during the 1990s, driven by the explosive growth in cellular phones, fax machines, pagers, and additional phone lines for internet dial-up service.
NANPA Mailing Address
One Tower Center Boulevard
Suite 800
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
NANPA Customer Support
Tel: 1-866-623-2282
Email: support@nanpa.com
Fax: 571-363-3838
How Many People Use the 253 Area Code?
The 253 area code serves a population of 690,000 residents, based on the most recent demographic data for Pierce County, which comprises the majority of the area code's coverage region. This population figure represents a significant portion of Washington state's total population and continues to grow as the Puget Sound region experiences ongoing development.
The U.S. Census Bureau tracks population changes in this region, noting that the area has seen steady growth since the area code was established in 1997. The population density varies considerably across the region, with urban centers like Tacoma having much higher concentrations of residents than the surrounding suburban and rural areas.
U.S. Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233
Tel: 301-763-INFO (4636) or 800-923-8282
Is the 253 Area Code Toll-Free?
No, the 253 area code is not toll-free. It is a standard geographic area code, meaning that calls to and from numbers with this prefix may incur standard long-distance charges depending on the caller's location and service plan. Unlike toll-free numbers as defined by the Federal Communications Commission, the cost of calls to 253 numbers is typically paid by the caller, not the recipient.
For reference, toll-free area codes in the United States include:
- 800
- 888
- 877
- 866
- 855
- 844
- 833
When calling a number with the 253 area code from outside the local calling area, standard long-distance rates may apply depending on your telephone service provider and calling plan. Many modern phone plans include unlimited nationwide calling, which would cover calls to the 253 area code without additional charges.
Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554
Tel: 1-888-CALL FCC (225-5322)
https://www.fcc.gov/