Where Is Area Code 253?
Area code 253 is in western Washington and serves the Tacoma and south Puget Sound region. It includes Kent, the primary city associated with the code, along with communities in Pierce County and southern King County. The area is part of the Pacific region of the United States.
Major cities and communities include Tacoma, Kent, Auburn, Federal Way, Lakewood, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, and Bonney Lake. The area includes parts of the Puget Sound shoreline, Commencement Bay, and Tacoma Narrows.
The 253 region also includes notable places such as the Port of Tacoma, Point Defiance Park, the University of Washington Tacoma campus, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. These locations are in or near the Tacoma metropolitan area.
Cities and Communities in the 253 Area Code
- Algona, King County
- Auburn, King and Pierce counties
- Bonney Lake, Pierce County
- Covington, King County
- DuPont, Pierce County
- Edgewood, Pierce County
- Federal Way, King County
- Fife, Pierce County
- Fircrest, Pierce County
- Gig Harbor, Pierce County
- Graham, Pierce County
- Kent, King County
- Lakewood, Pierce County
- Milton, Pierce County
- Pacific, King and Pierce counties
- Parkland, Pierce County
- Puyallup, Pierce County
- Ruston, Pierce County
- South Hill, Pierce County
- Spanaway, Pierce County
- Steilacoom, Pierce County
- Sumner, Pierce County
- Tacoma, Pierce County
- University Place, Pierce County
History of Area Code 253
Area code 253 was established on July 1, 1997, when Washington split the existing 206 area code. The change created area code 253 for Tacoma and nearby south Puget Sound communities, while area code 425 covered many northern and eastern Seattle suburbs. Area code 206 remained in the Seattle area.
The split responded to growing demand for telephone numbers in the Puget Sound region. Area code 360 had already split from 206 in 1995. Area code 253 remains a geographic code and has not received an overlay or a later split.
Key Facts About Area Code 253
- State: Area code 253 is located in Washington.
- Primary city: Kent is the primary city associated with area code 253.
- Main urban center: Area code 253 serves Tacoma and other communities in the south Puget Sound region.
- Counties: The code covers communities in Pierce County and southern King County.
- Type: Area code 253 is a geographic area code.
- Region: Washington is part of the Pacific region of the United States.
- Time zone: Area code 253 uses Pacific Time.
- Established: Area code 253 entered service on July 1, 1997, after splitting from area code 206.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state is area code 253 in?
Area code 253 is in Washington.
What major cities use area code 253?
Major cities using area code 253 include Kent, Tacoma, Auburn, Federal Way, Lakewood, Puyallup, and Gig Harbor.
What time zone is area code 253 in?
Area code 253 uses Pacific Time.
Is area code 253 a toll-free number?
No. Area code 253 is a geographic area code, not a toll-free code.