Charlotte, North Carolina

Where Is Area Code 980?

Area code 980 serves Charlotte and much of the south-central Piedmont region of North Carolina. It covers the same geographic area as area code 704 because 980 is an overlay. The service area sits in and around the Charlotte metropolitan area near the South Carolina border.

Area code 980 covers Charlotte in Mecklenburg County and also reaches nearby cities and towns such as Concord, Gastonia, Huntersville, Kannapolis, Matthews, Monroe, Salisbury, and Statesville. The area code serves parts of several counties, including Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Union, Rowan, Iredell, Lincoln, and Cleveland counties. Its coverage follows one of North Carolina's busiest population and business centers.

The region includes major landmarks and institutions in Charlotte, including Bank of America Stadium, Spectrum Center, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. It also includes the Lake Norman area to the north and communities along the Catawba River basin. This is one of the largest and fastest-growing telephone service areas in North Carolina.

History of Area Code 980

Area code 980 was established on May 1, 2000, as an overlay for area code 704. Area code 704 had served the Charlotte region since 1947, when it was one of North Carolina's original area codes under the North American Numbering Plan. The overlay added new phone numbers without changing the geographic boundaries of 704.

The North Carolina Utilities Commission approved the overlay after strong population growth and rising demand for new telephone numbers. Growth in mobile phones, fax lines, pagers, and business lines helped exhaust the supply of available 704 numbers. Because 980 is an overlay, both 704 and 980 serve the same area, and 10-digit dialing is required for local calls in the region.

Key Facts About Area Code 980

• Area code 980 is in North Carolina, and its primary major city is Charlotte.
• Area code 980 is an overlay area code for 704, and both codes cover the same service area.
• Area code 980 officially went into service on May 1, 2000.
• Area code 980 serves communities in the Charlotte metropolitan region, including Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Monroe, Salisbury, and Statesville.
• Area code 980 is in the Eastern Time Zone.
• Area code 704 was one of the original North American area codes created in 1947, and 980 was added later because the region needed more numbers.
• The 980 area includes major institutions and landmarks such as the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
• Ten-digit dialing applies in the 980 and 704 service area because the two codes are overlays.

Frequently Asked Questions

What state is area code 980 in?

Area code 980 is in North Carolina.

What major cities use area code 980?

Area code 980 is used in Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Huntersville, Kannapolis, Matthews, Monroe, Salisbury, and Statesville.

Is area code 980 a toll-free number?

No. Area code 980 is a geographic area code for Charlotte and nearby parts of North Carolina.