Area Code 353
Wisconsin
Area code 353 serves Wisconsin, primarily Madison, in the Central Time (CT) time zone. It is an overlay area code sharing territory with area code 608.
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 608 (Madison).
In service since: 15-Sep-2023
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 1,745,871
- Population Density
- 83 people/sq mibelow U.S. average (U.S.: 93 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $77,648near U.S. median (U.S.: $75,144)
- Poverty Rate
- 10.7%near U.S. average (U.S.: 11.5%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 3.0%below U.S. average (U.S.: 3.6%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+35.4%near U.S. average (U.S.: 33.7%)High School or Lower30.5%
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
WI
Major Cities
- Madison
- Janesville
- La Crosse
- Beloit
- Sun Prairie
- Fitchburg
- Middleton
- Onalaska
- Waunakee
- Verona
- Stoughton
- Baraboo
- Platteville
- Oregon
- Holmen
- DeForest
- Monroe
- Portage
- Reedsburg
- Sparta
- Tomah
- McFarland
- Windsor
- Monona
and 182 more cities
Historical Timeline of Area Code 353
Area code 353 was activated on September 15, 2023 as an all-services distributed overlay of area code 608 in southwestern Wisconsin. NANPA declared Jeopardy for the 608 NPA on March 30, 2022, triggering CO code rationing at 2 per OCN per month. The overlay was approved by the Wisconsin PSC on September 16, 2022, with a projected lifespan of approximately 24 years. (Source: PSC Docket 5-TN-112)
Key milestones:
- 1955: Area code 608 created from border rearrangement of NPAs 414 and 715, serving Madison and southwestern Wisconsin (Source: Wikipedia)
- 2020: The 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline designation created a conflict with 608 NXX codes, requiring transition to 10-digit dialing
- March 30, 2022: NANPA declared Jeopardy for the 608 NPA, initiating CO code rationing at 2 per OCN per month (Source: PSC Docket 5-TN-112)
- September 16, 2022: Wisconsin PSC approved the all-services distributed overlay (Docket 5-TN-112). NPA code 353 was assigned (Source: PSC Docket 5-TN-112)
- November 9, 2022: NANPA published PL-605, the implementation planning letter for the 608/353 overlay. Network preparation began December 15, 2022 (Source: NANPA PL-605)
- September 15, 2023: Area code 353 went into service. New customers may receive 353 numbers when 608 codes are exhausted (Source: PSC Press Release)
Regulatory History
Area code 353 was implemented under FCC-delegated authority per 47 CFR 52.19, which allows state commissions to approve new area codes. The Wisconsin PSC exercised this authority in Docket 5-TN-112, approving the 608/353 overlay on September 16, 2022. (Source: PSC Docket 5-TN-112)
| Year | Event | Docket | Regulatory Action and Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | FCC Delegated Authority | 47 CFR 52.19 | FCC delegated authority to state commissions to implement new area codes, enabling Wisconsin PSC to approve the 608/353 overlay without a direct FCC order. |
| 2022 | Overlay Approval | 5-TN-112 | Wisconsin PSC approved all-services distributed overlay as relief for the 608 NPA. New NPA 353 assigned with a projected 24-year lifespan. (Source: PSC Docket 5-TN-112) |
| 2022 | Implementation Planning | PL-605 | NANPA published implementation planning letter for the 608/353 overlay. Network preparation began December 15, 2022; CO codes available July 11, 2023. (Source: NANPA PL-605) |
| 2023 | In-Service Date | 5-TN-112 | Area code 353 activated on September 15, 2023. Customers retain existing 608 numbers; new assignments use 353 when 608 codes are exhausted. (Source: PSC Press Release) |
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 353).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Dane, WI | 604,861 | 34.6% |
| Rock, WI | 195,771 | 11.2% |
| La Crosse, WI | 156,939 | 9.0% |
| Columbia, WI | 100,957 | 5.8% |
| Sauk, WI | 83,845 | 4.8% |
| Grant, WI | 65,356 | 3.7% |
| Green, WI | 57,193 | 3.3% |
| Iowa, WI | 54,626 | 3.1% |
| Monroe, WI | 53,338 | 3.1% |
| Juneau, WI | 50,626 | 2.9% |
| Vernon, WI | 46,543 | 2.7% |
| Lafayette, WI | 45,047 | 2.6% |
| Richland, WI | 39,147 | 2.2% |
| Marquette, WI | 36,493 | 2.1% |
| Jefferson, WI | 34,870 | 2.0% |
| Crawford, WI | 32,844 | 1.9% |
| Adams, WI | 30,081 | 1.7% |
| Trempealeau, WI | 20,908 | 1.2% |
| Buffalo, WI | 11,944 | 0.7% |
| Jackson, WI | 10,633 | 0.6% |
| Green Lake, WI | 6,291 | 0.4% |
| Walworth, WI | 4,083 | 0.2% |
| Waushara, WI | 3,475 | 0.2% |
Area Code 353 Family Tree
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Area code 353 was originally assigned in 15-Sep-2023 to serve WI.
Call Context
This area code covers a geographic region across WI, including Madison and surrounding communities.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 353.
Other Area Codes in Wisconsin
Area codes that also serve Wisconsin, linked for easy comparison.