Where Is Area Code 206?
Area code 206 serves Seattle and nearby communities in the central Puget Sound region of western Washington. The numbering area covers parts of King County and reaches Bainbridge Island in Kitsap County. Washington is in the Pacific region of the United States.
Communities include Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Burien, Des Moines, Lake Forest Park, Mercer Island, Normandy Park, SeaTac, Shoreline, Tukwila, and Vashon. Geographic features include Puget Sound, Elliott Bay, Lake Union, Lake Washington, Bainbridge Island, and Vashon Island. Major sites in the area include the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, the University of Washington Seattle campus, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in SeaTac.
Cities and Communities in the 206 Area Code
- Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County
- Burien, King County
- Des Moines, King County
- Lake Forest Park, King County
- Mercer Island, King County
- Normandy Park, King County
- SeaTac, King County
- Seattle, King County
- Shoreline, King County
- Tukwila, King County
- Vashon, King County
History of Area Code 206
Area code 206 was established in 1947 as one of the original 86 North American area codes, and it first covered the entire state of Washington. Area code 509 split from 206 in 1957 to serve eastern Washington. Area code 360 split from 206 in 1995 and took most of the remaining western Washington territory outside the Seattle and Tacoma core areas.
Area codes 253 and 425 split from 206 in 1997. Area code 253 took Tacoma and much of south Puget Sound, while area code 425 took Bellevue, the Eastside, and northern and eastern Seattle suburbs. Area code 564 began as an overlay for area code 360 in 2017, and regulators later approved its expansion to the 206, 253, and 425 regions to provide additional telephone numbers.
Key Facts About Area Code 206
- Area code 206 is a Washington State area code with Seattle as its primary city.
- Washington, the state containing area code 206, is in the Pacific region under the U.S. Census Bureau’s regional classification.
- Area code 206 uses Pacific Time.
- Area code 206 is a geographic area code assigned to a specific region.
- Area code 206 was one of the 86 original North American Numbering Plan area codes created in 1947.
- Area code 206 originally covered the entire state of Washington.
- Area code 509 split from area code 206 in 1957, and area code 360 split from area code 206 in 1995.
- Area codes 253 and 425 split from area code 206 in 1997.
- The Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and the University of Washington Seattle campus are located in the area code 206 region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state is area code 206 in?
Area code 206 is in Washington.
What major cities use area code 206?
Major cities and communities using area code 206 include Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Burien, Des Moines, Lake Forest Park, Mercer Island, Normandy Park, SeaTac, Shoreline, Tukwila, and Vashon.
What time zone is area code 206 in?
Area code 206 is in Pacific Time.
Is area code 206 a toll-free number?
No, area code 206 is a geographic area code, not a toll-free code.