Area Code 235

Missouri

Area code 235 serves Missouri, primarily Columbia, in the Central Time (CT) time zone. It is an overlay area code sharing territory with area code 573.

Published: Updated:

Overlay Area Code

This area code is part of an overlay region, meaning the same geographic area is served by multiple area codes. Overlay codes were introduced to meet growing demand for phone numbers without requiring existing customers to change their numbers.

This area code shares its geographic region with: area code 573 (Columbia).

In service since: 24-Mar-2024

Learn more about overlay and split area codes →

Demographics & Economics

Total Population
2,265,352
Population Density
36 people/sq mi
below U.S. average (U.S.: 93 people/sq mi)
Median Household Income
$61,310
below U.S. median (U.S.: $75,144)
Poverty Rate
14.9%
above U.S. average (U.S.: 11.5%)
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
above U.S. average (U.S.: 3.6%)
Education Attainment
Bachelor's Degree+
23.2%
below U.S. average (U.S.: 33.7%)
High School or Lower
41.0%

Statistics are population-weighted aggregations from Census ACS 5-year estimates. Population figures are approximate — see Sources & Methodology for details on how area code populations are derived.

See how this area code compares to all US area codes in the Statistics dashboard.

Time Zone

  • Central Time (CT)

NANPA Relief Status

According to the latest NANPA analysis (July 2026), this area code is not currently listed as exhausting within the next 36 months. No relief planning is in progress for this NPA.

Source: NANPA NPA Relief Planning Reports · See all relief planning statuses

Current Time

Central Time (CT)
 
 

Prefix Utilization

Geographic Coverage

State

MO

Major Cities

  • Columbia
  • Cape Girardeau
  • Rolla
  • Farmington
  • Hannibal
  • Poplar Bluff
  • Sikeston
  • Jackson
  • Fort Leonard Wood
  • Fulton
  • Mexico
  • Kennett
  • Park Hills
  • Perryville
  • Oak Grove
  • Dexter
  • Bonne Terre
  • Sullivan
  • Caruthersville
  • Waynesville
  • St. Robert
  • Ste. Genevieve
  • Desloge
  • Ashland

and 289 more cities

Area Code 235 geographic coverage map (light mode)

Historical Timeline of Area Code 235

Area code 235 was put into service on March 24, 2024 as an all-services distributed overlay for the 573 area code in Missouri. The Missouri Public Service Commission approved the overlay on May 1, 2022 after NANPA projected the 573 NPA would exhaust by Q1 2025. A six-month permissive dialing period ran from August 26, 2023 through February 24, 2024, after which mandatory 10-digit dialing took effect. Source: Missouri PSC

Key milestones:

  • 1947: Missouri assigned two area codes in the original NANP: 314 (east) and 816 (west)
  • January 7, 1996: Area code 573 created via split from 573; permissive dialing through July 7, 1996
  • March 18, 2022: Missouri PSC Staff files motion to open Docket TO-2022-0250 and approve overlay plan (Source: Missouri PSC EFIS)
  • May 1, 2022: Missouri PSC approves all-services distributed overlay for 573 NPA; directs NANPA to proceed
  • June 17, 2022: NANPA assigns area code 235 for overlay; Planning Letter PL-596 published (Source: NANPA)
  • August 26, 2023: Permissive 10-digit dialing period begins (Source: Missouri PSC PR-24-18)
  • February 24, 2024: Mandatory 10-digit dialing begins (Source: Missouri PSC PR-24-96)
  • March 24, 2024: Area code 235 enters service
  • January 28, 2025: Missouri PSC Docket TO-2022-0250 closed

The 573 area code was split from 573 in 1996 to relieve exhaustion in the St. Louis metropolitan region. When 573 approached exhaustion, the Missouri PSC selected an overlay to minimize disruption to existing subscribers. (Source: Wikipedia)

Regulatory History

Area code 235's regulatory history centers on Missouri PSC Docket TO-2022-0250, with four key actions spanning from March 2022 to January 2025. The Missouri Public Service Commission approved an all-services distributed overlay for the 573 NPA rather than a geographic split, directing NANPA to proceed with implementation. Source: Missouri PSC Docket TO-2022-0250

YearEventDocketRegulatory Action & Impact
2022Staff Motion FiledTO-2022-0250Missouri PSC Staff files motion to open docket and approve overlay plan for 573 NPA. Staff recommended overlay over geographic split as most efficient and least disruptive solution. (Source: Missouri PSC EFIS)
2022Overlay ApprovedTO-2022-0250Missouri PSC approves all-services distributed overlay for 573 NPA. Order directs NANPA to proceed with overlay implementation. (Source: Missouri PSC Docket)
2022Area Code AssignedPL-596NANPA assigns area code 235 for the 573 overlay. Planning Letter PL-596 published. Related to PL IL 95/08-015 (1996 split of 314). (Source: NANPA)
2025Docket ClosedTO-2022-0250Missouri PSC Docket TO-2022-0250 closed after implementation completed. (Source: Missouri PSC Docket)

County Coverage

Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 235).

CountyPopulationShare
Boone, MO194,7188.6%
Callaway, MO190,9618.4%
Cape Girardeau, MO119,8995.3%
St. Francois, MO85,8963.8%
Cole, MO80,3473.5%
Phelps, MO75,4453.3%
Ste. Genevieve, MO74,7993.3%
Crawford, MO64,3642.8%
Pulaski, MO60,4932.7%
Washington, MO59,8512.6%
Maries, MO59,4822.6%
Camden, MO57,1012.5%
Dent, MO55,7632.5%
Stoddard, MO55,3702.4%
Miller, MO53,4072.4%
Osage, MO50,8572.2%
Scott, MO48,5592.1%
Gasconade, MO48,5242.1%
Butler, MO48,1192.1%
New Madrid, MO47,8462.1%
Audrain, MO42,7001.9%
Ralls, MO39,7321.8%
Monroe, MO37,0981.6%
Bollinger, MO36,9411.6%
Morgan, MO36,4041.6%
Marion, MO35,7321.6%
Mississippi, MO34,7411.5%
Dunklin, MO33,7341.5%
Pemiscot, MO33,2231.5%
Franklin, MO32,9691.5%
Pike, MO32,4101.4%
Shannon, MO23,3381.0%
Moniteau, MO22,3971.0%
Perry, MO22,3501.0%
Texas, MO20,8450.9%
Madison, MO20,5980.9%
Iron, MO20,2860.9%
Laclede, MO20,2810.9%
Jefferson, MO20,2570.9%
Lincoln, MO19,7490.9%
Wayne, MO17,1690.8%
Montgomery, MO17,0350.8%
Reynolds, MO15,0810.7%
Carter, MO14,1860.6%
Ripley, MO13,6780.6%
Oregon, MO13,3000.6%
Lewis, MO11,1540.5%
Cooper, MO7,8110.3%
Howard, MO6,7680.3%
Warren, MO6,6480.3%
Benton, MO5,4380.2%
Shelby, MO5,0320.2%
Clark, MO4,6210.2%
Randolph, MO3,0850.1%
Randolph, IL2,3500.1%
Dallas, MO1,8350.1%
Hickory, MO1,7220.1%
Knox, MO8530.0%

Area Code 235 Family Tree

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314557573636235
1
Total Codes
0
Splits
0
Overlays
0
Max Depth

Area code 235 was originally assigned in 24-Mar-2024 to serve MO.

Call Context

Regional geographic area

This area code covers a geographic region across MO, including Columbia and surrounding communities.

Nearby Area Codes

Area codes geographically closest to 235.

Area code 636 map card showing O'Fallon (light mode)
636MOO'FallonCentral Time (CT)Split
Area code 314 map card showing St. Louis (light mode)
314MOSt. LouisCentral Time (CT)Geographic
Area code 557 map card showing St. Louis (light mode)
557MOSt. LouisCentral Time (CT)Overlay
Area code 618 map card showing Belleville (light mode)
618ILBellevilleCentral Time (CT)Geographic
Area code 730 map card showing Belleville (light mode)
730ILBellevilleCentral Time (CT)Overlay

Other Area Codes in Missouri

Area codes that also serve Missouri, linked for easy comparison.