Where Is Area Code 231?
Area code 231 serves the northwestern and northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Grant, in Newaygo County, is the primary city associated with the code. The area also includes major communities such as Muskegon, Traverse City, Petoskey, Cadillac, Ludington, Manistee, and Big Rapids.
The coverage area includes communities in counties such as Newaygo, Muskegon, Mecosta, Wexford, Mason, Manistee, Oceana, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Charlevoix, Emmet, Antrim, Kalkaska, and Cheboygan. Notable geographic features include the Lake Michigan shoreline, Grand Traverse Bay, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Cities and Communities in the 231 Area Code
- Antrim County: Bellaire
- Benzie County: Frankfort
- Charlevoix County: Boyne City
- Charlevoix County: Charlevoix
- Charlevoix County: East Jordan
- Cheboygan County: Cheboygan
- Cheboygan County: Mackinaw City
- Emmet County: Harbor Springs
- Emmet County: Petoskey
- Grand Traverse County: Interlochen
- Grand Traverse County: Kingsley
- Grand Traverse County: Traverse City
- Kalkaska County: Kalkaska
- Manistee County: Manistee
- Mason County: Ludington
- Mason County: Scottville
- Mecosta County: Big Rapids
- Muskegon County: Montague
- Muskegon County: Muskegon
- Muskegon County: Whitehall
- Newaygo County: Fremont
- Newaygo County: Grant
- Newaygo County: Newaygo
- Oceana County: Hart
- Oceana County: Pentwater
- Oceana County: Shelby
- Osceola County: Reed City
- Wexford County: Cadillac
History of Area Code 231
Area code 231 entered service on June 5, 1999, after a geographic split from area code 616. Before the split, area code 616 covered a larger part of western Michigan. Area code 616 was one of Michigan's original North American Numbering Plan codes, established in 1947.
The 1999 change responded to rising demand for telephone numbers from homes, businesses, and wireless services. Area code 231 was created through a split rather than an overlay, and it remains a geographic area code without a current overlay code.
Key Facts About Area Code 231
- Area code 231 is in Michigan, and Grant in Newaygo County is its primary city.
- Area code 231 is part of the Great Lakes region identified by the U.S. Census Bureau.
- Area code 231 is a geographic area code that identifies a regional calling area.
- Area code 231 entered service on June 5, 1999, after splitting from area code 616.
- Area code 231 is not an overlay code and does not share its region with a second area code.
- Area code 231 uses Eastern Time.
- Major cities in the region include Muskegon, Traverse City, Petoskey, Cadillac, Ludington, Manistee, and Big Rapids.
- Ferris State University is in Big Rapids, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is in the area served by the code.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state is area code 231 in?
Area code 231 is in Michigan.
What major cities use area code 231?
Major cities using area code 231 include Grant, Muskegon, Traverse City, Petoskey, Cadillac, Ludington, Manistee, and Big Rapids.
What time zone is area code 231 in?
Area code 231 uses Eastern Time.
Is area code 231 a toll-free number?
No. Area code 231 is a geographic area code, not a toll-free code.