Get a 206 Area Code Phone Number Today
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There are currently six different Washington area codes. The 509 area code covers the eastern half of the state of Washington, while the 360 area codes cover the western half. The other four area codes cover much less land mass but way more people.
As the smallest area code in Washington, the 206 area code doesn’t cover much geographical ground. However, it services over two million people in King and Kitsap counties. You’ll find that the 206 area code is most prominent in Seattle, but it’s also used to cover both Vashon and Bainbridge Island.
It’s a common misconception that Seattle is the capital of Washington. While that honor belongs to Olympia, Seattle is the biggest of the two major cities. There are more than 762,000 people that call Seattle home, and the population has only increased over the years.
From the Space Needle to Pike Place Market, the 206 area code covers a lot of iconic US hotspots. Tucked away in the Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is most well-known for its evergreen forests, waterfront views, and as the birthplace of Starbucks. But, even if you’re not into gloomy Pacific Northwest weather and coffee, there’s still lots to discover in the 206 area code.
You can find impressive architecture and stunning sights at the Museum of Pop Culture and the tranquil Chihuly Garden and Glass. Make sure to wander past the Gum Wall before gallivanting off on a day trip to hike up Mount Rainier. Or, stay close to the city and experience the best of the 206 area code’s excellent outdoors at Discovery Park.
Where Is Area Code 206 Located?
The 206 NPA (Numbering Plan Area, or “area code”) is one of the original 86 area codes that were first implemented in 1947. In the old days, 206 serviced the entire state of Washington. Since then, it’s been split and overlaid, now reduced to serve only the cities of Seattle, Vashon, and Bainbridge Island.
The sole reign of the 206 area code in Washington lasted until 1957, when the 509 area code was introduced to cover the eastern portion of the state. They split the state roughly along the border of the Cascade Mountains, and the 206 area code served the western third of the state.
Then, in 1995, the 206 area code was split off with the 360 area code, which was used to cover all cities and regions outside of the Seattle-Tacoma area. Later, in 1997, the 206 area code was split even further. The 253 area code was used to cover numbers south of Seattle, while the 425 area code was used for numbers in the northeastern part of the Seattle region, including Everett and Eastside.
The result? Today, the 206 area code is extremely exclusive and identifiable as the Seattle area code, namely for businesses with landlines, as it’s tied to more landline numbers than mobile numbers. Only two counties use the 206 area code: King County, with a population of 1,931,249, and Kitsap County, another 251,133. Seattle is the largest city that uses the 206 area code number.
Here are a few of the more populated cities in the Seattle/Tacoma area that also use it:
- Shoreline (53,007)
- Burien (33,313)
- SeaTac (26.909)
- Des Moines (29,673)
- Mercer Island (22,699)
- Vashon (10,624)
- Lake Forest Park (13,504)
- Redmond (76,354 )
- Tukwila (21,615)
The History of 206
The Best of Seattle
The people of Seattle enjoy a wide variety of activities and unique features, including:
- The Space Needle is an iconic presence on the Seattle skyline and is internationally recognizable. Initially built for the 1961/62 World Fair, the Space Needle is often the first thing that comes to mind when picturing Seattle.
- The Seattle music scene is one of the most vibrant and beloved in the world. Seattle is widely considered the birthplace of grunge and is where Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Mudhoney, and the Melvins were formed.
- Four different professional sports teams call Seattle home. The Seahawks (NFL), Mariners (MLB), Kraken (NHL), and Sound (MLS) offer a wide variety of sports to experience.
- The Pike Place Market is one of the longest-running farmer’s markets in the United States. The famous “Pike Place fish toss” is a one-of-a-kind experience only available in Seattle.
- You can find the first Starbucks directly across the street from Pike Place Market. The location has become something of a pilgrimage for coffee lovers from around the world.
- Education, history, and culture are available on almost any corner in Seattle as it’s home to the Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Art Museum, Benaroya Hall, Wing Luke Museum, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Museum of Pop Culture, and the Museum of Flight.
- Technology will always have roots in Seattle, as both Amazon and Microsoft were founded there. The tech scene in “Cloud City” has persisted, with many young entrepreneurs trying to take technology to the next level.
How Can You Get a 206 Area Code?
There’s more than one way to get a phone number with a 206 area code. However, you’ll soon discover that one option works better than the others.
Here are the best three options you have for getting a 206 area code:
Talk to Your Phone Carrier
It’s very common for people to want to change their phone numbers. Moving to a new area, avoiding spam calls, or getting away from undesirable people are just a few examples.
Whatever the reason, most phone carriers, such as Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile, are more than happy to help. It doesn’t take much effort for them to assign your account a new number. It’s an easy way for them to please a long-standing customer.
The problem with changing your number is that there’s no guarantee that you’ll get a 206 area code. Remember that 206 has been around since the late 1940s and more than two million people live in counties that use it.
It’s improbable that an available phone number with a 206 area code exists. Even if you did get a new number, you would need to update everyone in your contact list.
Buy a New Phone in Seattle
The area code for a landline is assigned based on where the phone line is used. It’s not that different for cell phones. The area code for a cell phone is based on where you buy and set it up. Therefore, buying a new phone in Seattle and activating it soon after could result in a 206 area code.
There are a few issues with this option. As mentioned earlier, you have the same low chance of getting a 206 area code. There needs to be an available number for you to get it.
Additionally, you’ll be spending quite a bit on travel expenses, buying a new phone, and adding it to your plan. You’re likely to spend a few hundred dollars just to have a feeble chance of getting a 206 number.
Download the Burner App
The only way to guarantee that you get a 206 area code is to download the Burner app. Choosing your area code is the first step of the process. You’ll see a list of randomly generated phone numbers as soon as you enter the number. You pick which one you like the most, and you’ll be given access as soon as you finish setting up your account.
You won’t have to change your current number. You won’t have to travel to Seattle and buy a new phone. You’ll have two phone numbers on your current device. It’s that simple.
Any texts or calls to your 206 number will be rerouted through Burner and sent to your phone. The person on the other end of the line will not know that it’s your second number.
The Takeaway
The “Emerald City” has earned its name as it continues to be a shining beacon in the Pacific Northwest's lush forestry, which is one of the more beautiful areas in the Pacific Time Zone (GMT). What was once a hidden gem is now a world-renowned metropolis. If you’re looking to expand a business into “The Coffee Capital of the World,” you will need a 206 area code.
There are a few methods that could land you a 206 number. But the only one that’s guaranteed to work is to use Burner. It will take a few minutes to download the app, create an account, and receive your number. You can use it for as long as you need. Whenever you’re done with it or want a different number, you just “burn” it and get a new one.
Visit Burner today to learn more and start your free seven-day trial. You’ll have a 206 area code in minutes and feel like you’re wearing flannel while listening to Nirvana and sipping a coffee from inside the Space Needle shortly after.
Sources:
How Seattle became ‘Cloud City’: Amazon and Microsoft are leading a tech revolution | Seattle Times
About Pike Place Market | Pike Place Market
What is Grunge? | Musical Expert
About the Space Needle | Space Needle
206 Area Code | All Area Codes
Seattle, Washington Population 2022 | World Population Review
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