The area code 252 is located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
Area code 252 serves the northeastern corner of North Carolina, centered on Elizabeth City along the Pasquotank River and Albemarle Sound. This region stretches from inland coastal plain communities to the iconic Outer Banks, making it a key link between everyday life in small towns and major coastal tourism. Elizabeth City is known as the “Harbor of Hospitality” and hosts a large U.S. Coast Guard base, adding national importance to the area. If you see a 252 phone number, it likely comes from northeastern North Carolina.
Major cities and landmarks covered by area code 252 include:
1998 — year area code 252 was established (Source: North American Numbering Plan Administrator)
Introduced in 1998 after a split from 919, area code 252 is part of the North American Numbering Plan and supports both mobile and landline phone numbers across the region. It ties together university life in Greenville, historic riverfronts in New Bern and Washington, and the beach towns and lighthouses of the Outer Banks. The mix of maritime history, higher education, and coastal tourism gives this area code a distinct identity. From Elizabeth City’s waterfront to Cape Hatteras, 252 connects people and places across northeastern North Carolina.