253 area code

The 253 area code is a telephone area code serving the south central region of the state of Washington. It covers portions of two counties – Pierce and Thurston – and is one of the three area codes that serve the western part of Washington. The other two area codes are 360 and 425.

Area Code History

The 253 area code was created in 1997 when it was split off from the 206 area code. At that time, the 206 area code served the entire state of Washington. The increase in population and subsequent increase in the number of phone lines led to the creation of multiple area codes to handle the demand for telephone services.

The 253 area code covered the Tacoma metropolitan area and parts of western and southern Washington. In 1997, the 360 area code was also created to serve the rest of western Washington, while the 425 area code was created to serve the Seattle metropolitan area.

Counties that Use the 253 Area Code

The 253 area code covers parts of two counties – Pierce and Thurston. While most of the area code is located in Pierce County, the southeastern portion of the area code extends into Thurston County. Pierce County is the second most populous county in Washington, with a population of over 900,000 people. It is home to the city of Tacoma, which is the largest city in the 253 area code.

Major Cities that Use the 253 Area Code

As mentioned earlier, the largest city in the 253 area code is Tacoma, which has a population of over 200,000 people. It is the third largest city in the state of Washington, after Seattle and Spokane. The other major cities in the area code include Puyallup, Lakewood, University Place, and Bonney Lake.

All Cities & Towns that Use the 253 Area Code

There are over 30 cities and towns that use the 253 area code. These include:

• Tacoma
• Puyallup
• Lakewood
• University Place
• Bonney Lake
• Gig Harbor
• Auburn
• South Hill
• Spanaway
• Fife
• Federal Way
• Orting
• Parkland
• Roy
• Steilacoom
• Sumner
• Buckley
• Dupont
• Edgewood
• Eatonville
• Lakeland South
• Pacific
• Ruston
• Tillicum
• Yelm
• Browns Point
• Eatonville
• Fox Island
• Kapowsin
• Lake Tapps
• Milton
• Nisqually Indian Community
• Prairie Ridge
• Riverbend
• South Prairie

Map of the 253 Area Code

Map of the 253 Area Code. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Population, Geography, and Climate

The total population of the 253 area code is estimated to be over 900,000 people, with Tacoma being the most populous city. The area code covers an area of approximately 1,300 square miles. Pierce County, which makes up the majority of the area code, is located in the western part of the state, while Thurston County is located in the southern part of the state.

The climate in the 253 area code is typically mild, with warm summers and cool, wet winters. Average temperatures in the summer range from the mid-60s to the low 70s, while in the winter, temperatures can drop to the low 40s or even lower. Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, with the most rain falling in the late fall and winter months.

Tourist Attractions

The 253 area code is home to a number of tourist attractions that draw visitors from both in and out of state. Here are a few popular destinations:

• Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, which offers beautiful views of Puget Sound, hiking trails, and a zoo and aquarium
• The Tacoma Art Museum, which features a diverse collection of art and offers educational programs and events
• Wild Waves Theme & Water Park, the largest amusement park in Washington state
• The LeMay – America’s Car Museum, which features over 300 cars and offers guided tours and events
• Olympic National Park, which is located just outside of the area code and offers hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities

Education

The 253 area code is served by several public school districts, including Tacoma Public Schools, Puyallup School District, Bethel School District, and Clover Park School District. There are also a number of private schools and charter schools in the area.

For higher education, the University of Washington Tacoma and Pacific Lutheran University are both located within the area code. There are also several community colleges, including Pierce College and Bates Technical College.

Healthcare

The major healthcare provider in the 253 area code is MultiCare Health System, which operates five hospitals and numerous clinics and medical centers in the area. Other notable healthcare facilities include CHI Franciscan Health and the Tacoma General Hospital.

Government and Administration

The governing bodies in the 253 area code include the cities and towns that make up the area code, as well as the county governments of Pierce and Thurston. The City of Tacoma has a council-manager form of government, while the other cities and towns have a mayor-council form of government. The Pierce County government is headed by a county executive and a seven-member council, while the Thurston County government is headed by a board of county commissioners.

Area Code and Zip Code Information for 253

As mentioned earlier, the 253 area code serves parts of two counties – Pierce and Thurston. The majority of the area code is located in Pierce County, where it covers zip codes ranging from 98001 to 98599. In Thurston County, the 253 area code covers zip codes from 98579 to 98499.

To find out if a specific zip code falls within the 253 area code, you can use an online area code and zip code lookup tool.

FAQs

Q: Will the 253 area code be split or overlaid in the future?
A: There are currently no plans to split or overlay the 253 area code. However, it is possible that as the population continues to grow, a split or overlay may become necessary in the future.

Q: How do I get a phone number with the 253 area code?
A: If you are looking to obtain a new phone number with the 253 area code, you will need to contact a service provider in the area. This can be a landline or mobile phone provider.

Q: Can I keep my phone number if I move to a different city within the 253 area code?
A: In most cases, yes. As long as you are not moving to a different area code, you should be able to keep your phone number when you move within the 253 area code. Contact your service provider for more information.

Q: What is the international calling code for the 253 area code?
A: The international calling code for the 253 area code is +1.

Q: Are there any areas that use a different area code within the 253 area code?
A: Yes, there are a few small areas within the 253 area code that use a different area code, such as tiny portions of Pierce County that use the 360 area code, and a small area in the southeast corner of the area code that uses the 360 area code. These are known as enclaves and are commonly used to handle phone number exhaust issues.

Q: Will there be any changes to the 253 area code in the future?
A: There are currently no changes planned for the 253 area code. However, as the population continues to grow and demand for telephone services increases, it is possible that changes may need to be made in the future.