Area Code 254
Texas
Area code 254 serves Texas, primarily Killeen, in the Central Time (CT) time zone. It was created from a split of area code 817.
Split Area Code
This area code was created by splitting an existing area code into separate geographic regions. When a split occurs, some customers in the original area code region are assigned the new area code.
This area code was split from area code 817 (Fort Worth).
In service since: 25-May-1997
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 1,479,038
- Population Density
- 54 people/sq mibelow U.S. average (U.S.: 93 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $66,051below U.S. median (U.S.: $75,144)
- Poverty Rate
- 13.8%above U.S. average (U.S.: 11.5%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 5.7%above U.S. average (U.S.: 3.6%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+24.8%below U.S. average (U.S.: 33.7%)High School or Lower33.2%
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
Prefix Utilization
Geographic Coverage
State
TX
Major Cities
- Killeen
- Waco
- Temple
- Copperas Cove
- Harker Heights
- Fort Hood
- Belton
- Stephenville
- Hewitt
- Gatesville
- Robinson
- Bellmead
- Woodway
- Hillsboro
- Lacy-Lakeview
- Mexia
- Nolanville
- McGregor
- Marlin
- Cameron
- Breckenridge
- Morgan's Point Resort
- Cisco
- Groesbeck
and 88 more cities
Historical Timeline of Area Code 254
Area code 254 was created on May 25, 1997, as part of a rare three-way split of area code 817. This was the most significant restructuring of Texas numbering since the original 1947 NANP assignments. NANPA declared a jeopardy situation for NPA 817 in 1996 due to numbering exhaustion from Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex growth. The resulting split divided the territory into three: area code 254 for the southern region including Waco, Temple, and Killeen; area code 940 for the northern region including Wichita Falls and Denton; and 817 retained the central Fort Worth core. Area code 254 was the 194th NPA put into service and the 12th area code in Texas. Source: Wikipedia
Key milestones:
- 1947: Texas received its first four area codes (214, 512, 713, 915) as part of the original NANP
- 1953: Area code 817 was created from the eastern half of 915, covering the Fort Worth to Waco corridor
- 1996: NANPA declared a jeopardy situation for NPA 817 due to numbering exhaustion from DFW growth (Source: Wikipedia)
- 1997 (May 25): Three-way split executed. Area code 254 assigned to the southern territory (Waco/Temple/Killeen), 940 to the north (Wichita Falls/Denton), 817 retained central Fort Worth (Source: NANPA)
- 1997 (Jul 7): Area code 940 put in service as the northern split sibling
- 2000 (Oct 7): Area code 682 overlaid on 817, the first overlay in Texas (Source: Wikipedia)
- 2021 (Oct 24): Mandatory 10-digit dialing implemented across 254 and other Texas area codes due to the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline designation (FCC Order 20-100)
The three-way split was among the first such relief methods introduced by NANPA in 1996. The PUCT documented the geographic allocation in its 1997 Scope of Competition Report, confirming the Waco area receiving 254 and the Wichita Falls area receiving 940. Source: PUCT 1997 Scope Report
Regulatory History
Area code 254 has undergone several significant regulatory events since its creation in 1997. The FCC's Local Competition Second Report and Order delegated authority to state commissions to implement new area codes, and the Texas PUC used this framework to approve the three-way split of 817. NANPA managed the operational planning through jeopardy declarations and planning letters. Source: Texas PUC
| Year | Event | Docket | Regulatory Action & Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Local Competition Order | CC Docket No. 96-98 | FCC Local Competition Second Report and Order delegated area code relief authority to state PUCs under 47 CFR 52.19. This established the framework under which the PUCT approved the 817 three-way split creating 254 and 940. |
| 1996 | Jeopardy Declaration | NPA 817 | NANPA declared a jeopardy situation for NPA 817 due to numbering exhaustion from DFW metroplex growth, triggering the three-way split planning process. Source: NANPA |
| 1997 | PUCT Scope Report | PUCT Report | The PUCT 1997 Scope of Competition Report documented the geographic allocation: Waco area receiving 254, Wichita Falls area receiving 940, Fort Worth retaining 817. Source: PUCT |
| 1997 | Planning Letter | PL-064 | NANPA Planning Letter dated May 22, 1997 for change in test number for the split of 817 NPA, operational preparation for the three-way split. Source: NANPA |
| 1999 | Number Conservation Delegation | DA 99-2636 | FCC granted the PUCT additional delegation of authority for number conservation measures including thousands-block pooling and NXX code rationing (15 FCC Rcd 1285). |
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 254).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Bell, TX | 424,278 | 28.7% |
| McLennan, TX | 277,519 | 18.8% |
| Coryell, TX | 183,799 | 12.4% |
| Falls, TX | 87,948 | 5.9% |
| Burnet, TX | 60,769 | 4.1% |
| Erath, TX | 60,020 | 4.1% |
| Lampasas, TX | 43,105 | 2.9% |
| Hill, TX | 42,188 | 2.9% |
| Bosque, TX | 37,911 | 2.6% |
| Williamson, TX | 36,058 | 2.4% |
| Limestone, TX | 33,957 | 2.3% |
| Comanche, TX | 22,967 | 1.6% |
| Milam, TX | 21,199 | 1.4% |
| Eastland, TX | 19,654 | 1.3% |
| Freestone, TX | 19,194 | 1.3% |
| Stephens, TX | 18,876 | 1.3% |
| Somervell, TX | 12,349 | 0.8% |
| Hamilton, TX | 12,265 | 0.8% |
| Hood, TX | 10,576 | 0.7% |
| Young, TX | 8,626 | 0.6% |
| Palo Pinto, TX | 8,077 | 0.5% |
| Callahan, TX | 7,748 | 0.5% |
| Navarro, TX | 6,893 | 0.5% |
| Brown, TX | 5,881 | 0.4% |
| Parker, TX | 4,920 | 0.3% |
| Robertson, TX | 4,820 | 0.3% |
| Mills, TX | 4,673 | 0.3% |
| Coleman, TX | 1,812 | 0.1% |
| Johnson, TX | 956 | 0.1% |
Area Code 254 Family Tree
Hover over nodes to see details. Click to navigate to individual area code pages. Use scroll to zoom, drag to pan.
Area code 254 was originally assigned in 25-May-1997 to serve TX.
Call Context
This area code spans a mix of urban centers and rural communities across TX, with Killeen as a primary city.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 254.
Other Area Codes in Texas
Area codes that also serve Texas, linked for easy comparison.