Area Code 608

Wisconsin

Area code 608 serves Wisconsin, primarily Madison, in the Central Time (CT) time zone. It has served the region since 01-Jan-1955.

Published: February 17, 2026Verified against NANPA and FCC records

Overlay Area Code

This area code shares its geographic footprint with an overlay code, so the same cities are served by two area codes. Because overlays leave existing numbers untouched, this region's relief planning favors adding codes over redrawing boundaries.

The codes serving this same region: area code 353 (Madison).

With prefix utilization already at 98.1%, numbering resources here are under sustained pressure — context that explains why overlays were introduced.

In service since: 01-Jan-1955

Learn more about overlay and split area codes →

Demographics & Economics

Total Population: 1,745,871
Population Density: 83 people/sq mi
below U.S. average (U.S.: 95 people/sq mi)
Median Household Income: $79,541
near U.S. median (U.S.: $80,734)
Poverty Rate: 10.7%
below U.S. average (U.S.: 12.5%)
Unemployment Rate: 3.0%
below U.S. average (U.S.: 5.2%)
Education Attainment: Bachelor's Degree+
36.0%
near U.S. average (U.S.: 35.7%)
High School or Lower
30.1%

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 income ranking and density ranking.

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

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 183 more cities

Area Code 608 geographic coverage map (light mode)

History

Area code 608 was established in 1955 as a geographic area code. It shares its territory with area code area code 353.

Demographics

The estimated population served by area code 608 is approximately 1,745,871. The population density is 83 people per square mile, which is lower than the national average of 95. The median household income is $79,541, which is near the national median of $80,734. Approximately 36.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national rate of 35.7%. This rate is near the national average. The poverty rate stands at 10.7%, which is lower than the national rate of 12.5%.

County Coverage

Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 608).

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 608 Family Tree

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Total Codes

Splits

Overlays

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All Descendants

Code ▲	State	Type	In Service	Parent
353	WI	overlay	15-Sep-2023	608

Area code 608 was originally assigned in 01-Jan-1955 to serve WI. Over the years, it has generated 1 descendant area code through a combination of geographic splits and overlays as demand for telephone numbers grew.