Area Code for Birmingham, AL

Birmingham, Alabama runs on two area codes: 205 — one of the original 1947 NANP codes that once covered the entire state — and 659, the overlay added in October 2019 when 205’s number pool ran low.

Both cover the same geography: central and western Alabama, including the Magic City’s downtown core, the suburbs of Hoover and Vestavia Hills, and the university city of Tuscaloosa. If you’re reading a Birmingham caller ID, choosing a local number for your business, or puzzling over why Alabama’s largest city needed a second code, this guide covers it all.

Quick note on disambiguation: This guide covers Birmingham, Alabama (area codes 205 and 659). Birmingham, England uses the UK country code +44 followed by city code 121 — an entirely separate numbering system.

What’s the area code for Birmingham?

Birmingham is served by two area codes under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP):

Code	Established	Coverage	Notes
205	1947 (original statewide AL code)	Central and western Alabama, including Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, and Shelby counties	Historic code; Birmingham’s primary identity; most recognized nationally
659	October 2019 (overlay)	Same geography as 205	Overlay — no geographic split; mandatory 10-digit dialing

Both codes share Central Time (CT) — UTC−6 standard, UTC−5 during CDT.

Quick rule: a 205 number is likely an established Birmingham business or long-time resident. A 659 number is Birmingham but newer — often mobile or VoIP. Neither is more “authentic” for business purposes.

Birmingham metro area codes by region

Area codes 205 and 659 cover all of these areas:

Downtown Birmingham and the urban core

• Downtown / 5th Avenue North — financial district, city hall, historic department store blocks
• Five Points South — entertainment district, restaurants, bars around the Storyteller Fountain
• Lakeview — walkable nightlife corridor east of Five Points; local restaurants and breweries
• Avondale — rapidly developing arts and brewery neighborhood; one of Birmingham’s hottest inner suburbs
• UAB Medical District — University of Alabama at Birmingham campus, Kirklin Clinic, Children’s of Alabama hospital

Inner neighborhoods

• Southside — urban residential along Highland Avenue; close to UAB
• Homewood — independent suburb with a walkable main street; locally owned boutiques and restaurants
• Mountain Brook — affluent residential enclave east of downtown; Mountain Brook Village shops
• Vestavia Hills — south of Birmingham proper; major retail corridors and corporate offices

Suburban communities (all 205/659)

• Hoover — largest Birmingham suburb (~93,000); Riverchase Galleria, major corporate campuses
• Trussville — northeast suburban growth corridor; fast-growing residential
• Gardendale — northern suburb in Jefferson County; growing bedroom community
• Bessemer — southwest Jefferson County; historic steel town
• Alabaster — Shelby County; one of the fastest-growing suburbs in Alabama
• Helena — Shelby County; upscale residential south of Hoover
• Tuscaloosa — 45 miles southwest; home to the University of Alabama; independent 205/659 city

History of Birmingham area codes

Birmingham’s area code history reflects Alabama’s growth and the telecommunications industry’s recurring need to carve new number pools from exhausted ones.

1947 — Alabama gets a single code: 205. When AT&T engineers designed the original NANP, the entire state of Alabama was assigned area code 205. This made Alabama one of 34 states served by a single area code at launch.

1995 — 334 splits off southern Alabama. Population growth, fax machines, pagers, and early internet dial-up drained 205’s supply. Area code 334 was created to cover southeastern Alabama — Montgomery, Mobile, and the area south of Birmingham. The Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC) and NANPA managed the split.

1998 — 256 splits off northern Alabama. Even after the 334 split, 205 faced renewed exhaustion from Huntsville’s rapid growth as a tech and defense hub. Area code 256 was carved off for northern and northeastern Alabama — Huntsville, Anniston, Gadsden, and the Tennessee Valley. This left 205 covering central and western Alabama: Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and surrounding counties.

2010 — 938 added as 256 overlay. Northern Alabama needed additional numbers, so 938 was added as an overlay to 256, requiring 10-digit dialing in the Huntsville/north Alabama area.

August 7, 2018 — 659 overlay approved. The APSC petitioned NANPA, citing projected 205 exhaustion by 2020. NANPA approved an all-services overlay plan — meaning existing 205 customers kept their numbers, and new numbers would draw from the new 659 pool.

October 2019 — 659 activates; 10-digit dialing mandatory. Area code 659 launched as the second Birmingham-area code. All local calls within the 205/659 NPA now require the full 10-digit number. Per NANPA, this is standard practice for overlay implementations.

205 as Birmingham’s Magic City identity

Few area codes are tied as deeply to a city’s identity as 205 is to Birmingham. The city earned the “Magic City” nickname in the late 1800s because it grew so explosively from iron and steel production it seemed to appear overnight — and 205 has been the telephone backbone of that identity for nearly eight decades.

Iron and steel heritage. Birmingham was founded in 1871 at the intersection of two railroads and atop vast deposits of coal, iron ore, and limestone — the three ingredients needed to make steel. By the early 1900s it was the industrial capital of the South. Sloss Furnaces, operating from 1882 to 1971, is now a National Historic Landmark at the center of the city. The Vulcan statue on Red Mountain — the largest cast iron statue in the world — was cast locally and displayed at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair before returning to Birmingham.

Civil Rights Movement. Birmingham was a central battleground of the American civil rights movement. The 16th Street Baptist Church, a 205 address, was bombed on September 15, 1963 — a defining moment that galvanized national support for civil rights legislation. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his landmark “Letter from Birmingham Jail” (April 1963) while incarcerated in the Birmingham City Jail, responding to white clergymen who called the protests “unwise.” These events — all rooted in the 205 geography — carry permanent historical weight.

UAB and medical research. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is one of the top academic medical research institutions in the United States. UAB Hospital and the Kirklin Clinic treat patients from across the Southeast. Children’s of Alabama, also in the 205 medical district, is consistently ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the country. Healthcare is now Birmingham’s largest employment sector.

Modern growth and food culture. Birmingham has emerged as one of the South’s most celebrated food cities. The area has produced nationally recognized chefs and restaurants, with a tradition rooted in Southern cooking — Dreamland BBQ (Tuscaloosa origin), Golden Rule BBQ, and Irondale Cafe (the real-life inspiration for the “Whistle Stop Cafe” from the novel and film Fried Green Tomatoes). The Alabama-Auburn Iron Bowl rivalry, one of college football’s most intense, plays out entirely within 205 country.

Birmingham area code spam and scams

Birmingham’s 205 and 659 codes are active targets for spoofing — scammers fake local numbers because a 205 caller ID gets answered at higher rates than an 800 number or out-of-state code.

Alabama Power utility shutoff scams. This is Alabama’s most reported phone scam. Fraudsters call businesses and residents claiming to be Alabama Power employees, threatening immediate power disconnection unless a payment is made via prepaid card or wire transfer. In 2024, a Homewood business owner was scammed out of $1,500 through exactly this scheme. Alabama Power’s official scam alert page confirms the company will never demand immediate phone payment or ask for prepaid cards.

IRS and government impersonation. The IRS and Alabama Attorney General’s Office have both issued alerts about calls threatening arrest for unpaid taxes. Scammers spoof 205 numbers to appear local and credible. The Alabama AG’s Citizen Alert confirms the IRS never initiates contact by phone and never demands gift card payments.

Fake UAB and Children’s of Alabama recruitment. Scammers impersonate HR departments at UAB Hospital or Children’s of Alabama, offering fabricated positions that require an upfront “background check fee” or equipment deposit. Legitimate hospital recruiters never ask for upfront payment during hiring.

Severe weather and tornado recovery fraud. Alabama sits in one of the most active tornado corridors in the country. After severe weather events, scammers spoof 205 numbers to pose as FEMA representatives or contractors collecting upfront fees for storm damage cleanup. The FCC consumer guide on spoofing details how caller ID is manipulated to enable these scams.

STIR/SHAKEN and what it means. The FCC mandated STIR/SHAKEN caller authentication to combat spoofing. Every outbound call receives an attestation level: A (fully verified — carrier confirms the caller owns the number), B (partial), or C (gateway — unverified). Spoofed scam calls receive C-attestation or none, triggering “Spam Likely” labels on modern smartphones. DialPhone 205 and 659 numbers carry A-attestation, so your legitimate outbound calls reach recipients as verified — not flagged.

How to get a Birmingham business phone number

Getting a Birmingham 205 or 659 number for your business takes under 10 minutes through a cloud VoIP provider. No Birmingham office required.

Step 1: Choose your area code. Both 205 and 659 signal authentic Birmingham presence. If brand recognition matters — national outbound calls, printed materials, trade shows — 205 has stronger name recognition built on 78 years of use. If number availability is a concern, 659 typically has more open inventory.

Step 2: Sign up with a VoIP provider. DialPhone lets you search available Birmingham numbers by area code during signup. Select from available 205 or 659 numbers in real time.

Step 3: Assign to users or a team queue. Route the Birmingham number to mobile, desktop app, or a team call queue. Add a greeting, IVR menu, or AI receptionist to handle after-hours calls automatically.

Step 4: Configure outbound caller ID. Set your 205 or 659 number as the outbound caller ID. Calls you make will display the Birmingham number — not an 800 number or your personal cell.

Step 5: Port existing Birmingham numbers if needed. Already have a 205 number with another carrier? Port it to DialPhone in typically 2–5 business days. See our number porting guide for the full process.

See DialPhone pricing for plan details, or start a free trial to claim your Birmingham number today.

Famous companies in Birmingham area codes

Birmingham’s 205 and 659 codes map to one of the most economically significant metros in the South — a combination of finance, energy, healthcare, and heavy industry.

Finance. Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE: RF), one of the largest US regional banks, has its headquarters at 1900 Fifth Avenue North, Birmingham — a 205 address. ProAssurance Corporation, a specialty insurance company, is also headquartered in Birmingham’s financial district. BBVA USA, formerly Compass Bank, was headquartered in Birmingham before its 2021 acquisition by PNC Financial Services.

Energy and resources. Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company and the primary electric utility for central and southern Alabama, is headquartered in Birmingham on a 205 number. Drummond Company, one of the largest private coal companies in the United States, is based in the Birmingham metro. Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC), the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregates, is headquartered in Birmingham.

Healthcare. Encompass Health Corporation (formerly HealthSouth), the nation’s largest operator of inpatient rehabilitation facilities, manages over 150 hospitals and employs approximately 42,000 people — all from its Birmingham 205 headquarters. UAB Medicine and Children’s of Alabama are anchor healthcare employers in the metro.

Insurance and professional services. Protective Life Corporation, a Fortune 500 life insurance and annuities company, is headquartered in Birmingham. AAA Cooper Transportation, a major Southeast regional freight carrier, is also headquartered in the 205 area.

Manufacturing. Mercedes-Benz US International in Vance, Alabama (205 coverage) is one of the largest auto manufacturing plants in the United States, producing more than 300,000 vehicles per year.

Birmingham area code FAQ

Birmingham area code FAQ

What is the area code for Birmingham, Alabama? +

Birmingham, Alabama is served by two area codes: 205 and 659. Area code 205 is the original code, dating to 1947 when it covered the entire state. Area code 659 is an overlay added in October 2019 that covers the exact same geography — central and western Alabama including Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, and Shelby counties.

Both codes share identical coverage. New phone numbers issued in Birmingham today may be assigned either 205 or 659, and mandatory 10-digit dialing applies to all local calls. Note: Birmingham, Alabama uses these codes — not to be confused with Birmingham, England, which uses the UK country code +44 and city code 121.

Is 205 or 659 the Birmingham area code? +

Both 205 and 659 are genuine Birmingham area codes. Area code 205 is the historic original, in continuous use since 1947, and carries Birmingham's cultural identity — the Magic City's businesses, civil rights landmarks, and Fortune 500 headquarters all use 205 numbers.

Area code 659 is the overlay introduced in 2019 to relieve number exhaustion. It covers identical geography. Neither code is 'more Birmingham' for business purposes, but 205 carries stronger national name recognition and the city's 78-year history as a telephone identity.

What cities are in the 205 and 659 area codes? +

Area codes 205 and 659 cover central and western Alabama — approximately 20 counties and 60-plus cities. Major cities include Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Trussville, Gardendale, Alabaster, Bessemer, Northport, Jasper, and Helena.

The coverage spans Jefferson County (Birmingham's home county), Tuscaloosa County, Shelby County (Hoover, Helena, Alabaster), and Walker County (Jasper). The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) both fall within the 205/659 area.

Why does Birmingham have two area codes? +

Birmingham acquired a second area code because 205 was approaching number exhaustion. The rapid growth of mobile phones, VoIP services, and connected devices drained the available number pool faster than population growth alone would suggest.

The Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC) petitioned NANPA in 2018. On August 7, 2018, an all-services overlay plan was formally approved. Area code 659 launched in October 2019 as an overlay — meaning existing numbers kept their 205 prefix, while new numbers could be assigned 659. All local calls now require 10-digit dialing.

What area code is Hoover, Vestavia Hills, and Mountain Brook? +

Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Homewood, and Trussville all use area codes 205 and 659. These are affluent suburbs in Jefferson and Shelby counties immediately south and east of Birmingham proper.

Hoover (population ~93,000) is the largest Birmingham suburb. Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills are upscale residential communities. Homewood is known for its walkable main street corridor. All fall within the same numbering plan area (NPA) as downtown Birmingham.

Are 205 calls spam? +

Not inherently. Legitimate Birmingham businesses use 205 and 659 numbers. The issue is spoofing — scammers fake a local 205 caller ID to boost answer rates, knowing local numbers get picked up more often than out-of-state or 800 numbers.

Common Alabama-specific scams include fake Alabama Power utility shutoff calls, IRS impersonation calls, fake UAB or Children's of Alabama hospital recruitment calls, and severe weather recovery fraud after tornadoes. STIR/SHAKEN is the FCC-mandated authentication framework that labels spoofed calls. DialPhone 205 and 659 numbers carry A-attestation — the highest trust level — so outbound calls reach recipients as verified, not flagged as 'Spam Likely.'

How do I get a Birmingham 205 or 659 number? +

You can get a Birmingham 205 or 659 number through any cloud VoIP provider — no Birmingham office required. The process takes under 10 minutes: choose your area code, sign up, assign the number to your mobile or desktop app, and configure outbound caller ID.

DialPhone assigns available Birmingham numbers instantly. If you already have a 205 number with another carrier, you can port it in typically 2–5 business days for US local numbers. See our number porting guide for the full walkthrough.

What is the history of the 205 area code? +

Area code 205 is one of the original North American Numbering Plan codes, established in 1947 when AT&T mapped the first continental phone system. At that time, 205 covered the entire state of Alabama.

In 1995, area code 334 split off to cover Montgomery and southern Alabama. In 1998, area code 256 split off to cover Huntsville and northern Alabama (with 938 added as a 256 overlay in 2010). This left 205 covering central and western Alabama — Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and surrounding counties. Area code 659 was added as an overlay in October 2019.

Get a Birmingham business number

A Birmingham 205 or 659 number puts your business inside Alabama’s largest metro — a financial, healthcare, and industrial hub with nearly eight decades of telephone identity tied to the 205 code.

DialPhone assigns Birmingham numbers in minutes with full STIR/SHAKEN A-attestation, so your outbound calls land as verified rather than flagged. Explore plans at DialPhone pricing or activate a free trial to claim your Birmingham number today.

Looking for a specific code? Browse area code 205 or area code 659, or see the full Alabama area codes guide.

Want to bring your existing Birmingham number? Our number porting guide covers the full process — most local ports complete in 2–5 business days.

For our full business phone system, see what DialPhone offers beyond the number itself.