Learn About the Washington Area Code Directory

The telephone numbers in the United States are composed of 10 digits. While the first three digits of a telephone number represent the area code of a particular area, the next three represents the prefix or the telephone exchange and the last four digits represent the particular phone number. Every part of a telephone number is equally important but the first three digits of the telephone number is the most important aspect as it represents the area code. This helps to identify a particular geographic region to which the area code belongs such as the state as well as the county or the town or even the city. According to the recent reports at present there are around 215 area codes in operation in the country.

The Federal Communications Commissions is responsible for the regulation as well as the maintenance of the area codes. Under its supervision, both the state and the federal regulators play an active role in the management of the area codes. For issues dealing with the administration of the telephone numbers, the Federal Communications Commission receives proposals from the North American Numbering Council. The NANC or the North American Council is an advisory division which consists of participants from the various industries, the consumer advocates as well as the state regulators.

The Numbering Resources

The state of Washington at present has five area codes. These include area code 206, area code 253, area code 360, area code 425, area code 509 and the area code 564.
Originally the North American Numbering Plan Administration had assigned the area code 206 for the state of Washington. This area code covered the entire state until 1957 when this area code was split to create a new area code of 509. According to this split the original area code of 206 retained the western area of the Washington State leaving the eastern region under the coverage of the new area code of 509.
 

In 1995 the original area code of 206 for the State of Washington was split again to create another area code code-360. After this split the original area code of 206 was left with the area of Puget Sound while the remaining was assigned under the area code 360. However in 1997 the original area code of 206 was split further to establish two new area codes- 253 and 425 that were assigned most parts of the Seattle metropolitan area. Thus the area code 206 was reduced to cover only the Seattle City and the neighboring cities in the Snohomish and the King counties.
 

The area code of 564 is a proposed area code which is to serve as an overlay for the area codes 253, 206, 425 and 360 in the near future. But it is yet to be implemented. 
Area Code 206 
 

At present the area code 206 serves Seattle along with Bainbridge, Vashon, parts of the metropolitan area stretching from Des Moines to Woodway and the islands of Mercer. 
This area code covers 6 counties, 40 cities and has 571 telephone exchanges under it.

Area Code 253

This area code was established on April 27, 1997 when the original area code of 206 was split for the third time. This area code caters to the southern parts of the Puget Sound area along with the suburban area of southern parts of Seattle, Auburn, Roy, Gig Harbor and Tacoma. It also serves the western parts of the Pierce County.

Area Code 360

This area code was created on January 15, 1995. It caters to the area the lies outside of the Seattle’s greater metro area. Its coverage extends to the entire of the King, Snohomish and Pierce counties which lies in the western part of the Washington State. This area code along with the area code of 334 (Alabama State) is among one of the early two area codes to not use the N0X or the N1X of the NANP.
 

The area code 360 caters to 19 counties, 205 cities and has 726 telephone exchanges under it.

Area Code 425

This area code caters to the northern as well as the eastern suburban parts of Seattle along with North Bend, the Eastside, Maple Valley and Everett. This area code was also established on April 27, 1997 when the original area code of 206 was split for the third time.
The area code 425 caters to 7 counties, 38 cities and has 496 telephone exchanges under it.

Area Code 509

This area code was created in 1957 after a split from the original area code 206. The area code 509 serves the eastern as well as the central parts of the Washington State including areas such as the Tri-Cities, Walla Walla, Yakima, Spokane and Wenatchee.