Where Is Area Code 256?
Area code 256 serves much of north and east Alabama, including the Tennessee Valley and communities in the Appalachian foothills. Decatur is the primary city, and the region is part of the Deep South.
Major cities include Huntsville, Florence, Gadsden, Anniston, Athens, Cullman, Fort Payne, and Sylacauga. The area includes communities in Morgan, Limestone, Madison, Lauderdale, Colbert, Etowah, Calhoun, Marshall, DeKalb, Cherokee, Lawrence, Franklin, Jackson, and Talladega counties.
The Tennessee River and Wheeler Lake are major geographic features near Decatur. The region also includes the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville and Little River Canyon National Preserve near Fort Payne.
Cities and Communities in the 256 Area Code
- Albertville, Marshall County
- Alexander City, Tallapoosa County
- Anniston, Calhoun County
- Arab, Marshall County
- Ardmore, Limestone County
- Athens, Limestone County
- Attalla, Etowah County
- Boaz, Marshall and Etowah counties
- Bridgeport, Jackson County
- Centre, Cherokee County
- Childersburg, Talladega County
- Collinsville, DeKalb County
- Cullman, Cullman County
- Decatur, Morgan and Limestone counties
- Florence, Lauderdale County
- Fort Payne, DeKalb County
- Gadsden, Etowah County
- Guntersville, Marshall County
- Hanceville, Cullman County
- Hartselle, Morgan County
- Heflin, Cleburne County
- Huntsville, Madison and Limestone counties
- Jacksonville, Calhoun County
- Leesburg, Cherokee County
- Lincoln, Talladega County
- Madison, Madison County
- Mentone, DeKalb County
- Moulton, Lawrence County
- Muscle Shoals, Colbert County
- Oxford, Calhoun County
- Piedmont, Calhoun County
- Rainsville, DeKalb County
- Russellville, Franklin County
- Scottsboro, Jackson County
- Sheffield, Colbert County
- Sylacauga, Talladega County
- Talladega, Talladega County
- Tuscumbia, Colbert County
- Valley Head, DeKalb County
- Woodville, Jackson County
History of Area Code 256
Area code 256 was established on March 23, 1998, when Alabama split area code 205. The split created a separate numbering area for much of northeastern Alabama as demand for telephone numbers increased in cities such as Huntsville, Decatur, and Florence.
Area code 938 was added as an overlay to area code 256 in 2010. The overlay provided additional telephone numbers without requiring existing customers to change their numbers, and it made ten-digit dialing necessary for local calls in the region.
Key Facts About Area Code 256
- Area code 256 is in Alabama, and Decatur is its primary city.
- Area code 256 is a geographic area code in the Deep South.
- Area code 256 was placed in service on March 23, 1998, after a split from area code 205.
- Area code 938 has overlaid area code 256 since 2010.
- Area code 256 uses Central Time.
- The Tennessee River and Wheeler Lake are prominent geographic features in the Decatur portion of area code 256.
- The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is located in Huntsville, a major city in area code 256.
- The University of North Alabama is located in Florence, a city in area code 256.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state is area code 256 in?
Area code 256 is in Alabama.
What major cities use area code 256?
Major cities using area code 256 include Decatur, Huntsville, Florence, Gadsden, Anniston, Athens, Cullman, Fort Payne, and Sylacauga.
What time zone is area code 256 in?
Area code 256 uses Central Time.
Is area code 256 a toll-free number?
No, area code 256 is a geographic area code rather than a toll-free code.