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.
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
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 314; 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 314 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)
Unique Facts About Area Code 235
Area code 235 has several notable characteristics that distinguish it from other recent overlays. Source: Missouri PSC
- Projected exhaust date is Q3 2063: The 573/235 complex has numbering capacity for nearly 40 years after the overlay was activated. (Source: Missouri PSC)
- Six-month permissive dialing transition: The permissive dialing period ran exactly 6 months from August 26, 2023 to February 24, 2024, the standard window for NANP overlays. (Source: Missouri PSC PR-24-18)
- State-level PSC regulation: Missouri PSC regulates area code relief through state docket TO-2022-0250, not federal FCC regulation. PSC Chairman Scott Rupp stated: "An overlay is a more efficient and less disruptive way to alleviate the exhaustion of available telephone numbers." (Source: Missouri PSC PR-24-18)
- Geographic splits not used since 2007: The Missouri PSC Staff recommended overlay specifically because splits are less efficient. Geographic splits have not been used for area code relief in the NANP since 2007. (Source: Missouri PSC Staff Motion)
- Rotary dial count of 10: On a rotary phone, area code 235 generates 10 pulses (2 + 3 + 5).
Area code 235 shares its geographic coverage entirely with 573, covering most of eastern Missouri outside the St. Louis metropolitan area. (Source: Wikipedia)
FCC 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
| Year | Event | Docket | Regulatory Action & Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Staff Motion Filed | TO-2022-0250 | Missouri 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) |
| 2022 | Overlay Approved | TO-2022-0250 | Missouri PSC approves all-services distributed overlay for 573 NPA. Order directs NANPA to proceed with overlay implementation. (Source: Missouri PSC Docket) |
| 2022 | Area Code Assigned | PL-596 | NANPA 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) |
| 2025 | Docket Closed | TO-2022-0250 | Missouri 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).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Boone, MO | 194,718 | 8.6% |
| Callaway, MO | 190,961 | 8.4% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | 119,899 | 5.3% |
| St. Francois, MO | 85,896 | 3.8% |
| Cole, MO | 80,347 | 3.5% |
| Phelps, MO | 75,445 | 3.3% |
| Ste. Genevieve, MO | 74,799 | 3.3% |
| Crawford, MO | 64,364 | 2.8% |
| Pulaski, MO | 60,493 | 2.7% |
| Washington, MO | 59,851 | 2.6% |
| Maries, MO | 59,482 | 2.6% |
| Camden, MO | 57,101 | 2.5% |
| Dent, MO | 55,763 | 2.5% |
| Stoddard, MO | 55,370 | 2.4% |
| Miller, MO | 53,407 | 2.4% |
| Osage, MO | 50,857 | 2.2% |
| Scott, MO | 48,559 | 2.1% |
| Gasconade, MO | 48,524 | 2.1% |
| Butler, MO | 48,119 | 2.1% |
| New Madrid, MO | 47,846 | 2.1% |
| Audrain, MO | 42,700 | 1.9% |
| Ralls, MO | 39,732 | 1.8% |
| Monroe, MO | 37,098 | 1.6% |
| Bollinger, MO | 36,941 | 1.6% |
| Morgan, MO | 36,404 | 1.6% |
| Marion, MO | 35,732 | 1.6% |
| Mississippi, MO | 34,741 | 1.5% |
| Dunklin, MO | 33,734 | 1.5% |
| Pemiscot, MO | 33,223 | 1.5% |
| Franklin, MO | 32,969 | 1.5% |
| Pike, MO | 32,410 | 1.4% |
| Shannon, MO | 23,338 | 1.0% |
| Moniteau, MO | 22,397 | 1.0% |
| Perry, MO | 22,350 | 1.0% |
| Texas, MO | 20,845 | 0.9% |
| Madison, MO | 20,598 | 0.9% |
| Iron, MO | 20,286 | 0.9% |
| Laclede, MO | 20,281 | 0.9% |
| Jefferson, MO | 20,257 | 0.9% |
| Lincoln, MO | 19,749 | 0.9% |
| Wayne, MO | 17,169 | 0.8% |
| Montgomery, MO | 17,035 | 0.8% |
| Reynolds, MO | 15,081 | 0.7% |
| Carter, MO | 14,186 | 0.6% |
| Ripley, MO | 13,678 | 0.6% |
| Oregon, MO | 13,300 | 0.6% |
| Lewis, MO | 11,154 | 0.5% |
| Cooper, MO | 7,811 | 0.3% |
| Howard, MO | 6,768 | 0.3% |
| Warren, MO | 6,648 | 0.3% |
| Benton, MO | 5,438 | 0.2% |
| Shelby, MO | 5,032 | 0.2% |
| Clark, MO | 4,621 | 0.2% |
| Randolph, MO | 3,085 | 0.1% |
| Randolph, IL | 2,350 | 0.1% |
| Dallas, MO | 1,835 | 0.1% |
| Hickory, MO | 1,722 | 0.1% |
| Knox, MO | 853 | 0.0% |
Call Context
This area code serves the same geographic region as area code 573 in Missouri. It was introduced as an overlay of area code 573, meaning both codes serve the same geographic territory.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 235.
Other Area Codes in Missouri
Area codes that also serve Missouri, linked for easy comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about area code 235 and how phone numbering works.
Phone numbers are assigned based on where the number was originally provisioned, not the caller's current location. Mobile phones retain their number when users move, and businesses may use numbers from regions where they don't have a physical presence. VoIP services can also provision numbers from virtually any area code.
Yes, mobile phones can have numbers from any area code in the region they were activated. Wireless carriers assign numbers from available pools regardless of phone type. When users change carriers or move to new areas, they typically keep their original number, which may have a different area code than their current location.
Start by looking up the area code on this site to understand its general geographic region. For the specific number, options include using your carrier's caller ID features or checking public directories. If you suspect fraud, you can report it to the FTC. To file a complaint about robocalls or spoofed numbers, visit the FCC Consumer Complaint Center. You can also register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unwanted calls. Keep in mind that caller ID can display any name the caller chooses to set.
When an area's pool of available phone numbers runs low, regulators may introduce an "overlay" area code that covers the same geographic territory as the original. Both codes coexist, and new numbers are assigned from whichever code has availability. This area code shares its region with area code 573, area code 573. Learn more in our overlay vs split guide.
While Philadelphia is a prominent city in this area code's coverage, the code serves the broader surrounding region as well. Area codes are assigned geographically and typically cover multiple cities, towns, and communities beyond any single anchor city.
New area codes are introduced when existing codes in a region approach exhaustion of available number combinations. The telecommunications industry and regulatory bodies plan these additions years in advance to ensure seamless transitions. Recent codes are typically overlays, sharing territory with established codes.