Area code 254 serves central Texas, including Waco, Killeen, Temple, and the surrounding rural areas. Established in 1997 as a split from 817, it covers a region that blends military significance—due to the presence of Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood)—with academic, agricultural, and religious heritage. Baylor University and a strong network of hospitals contribute to the area’s identity. Ten-digit dialing is required in the region. Area code 254 is often associated with heartland values, educational pride, and the steady growth of Texas’s interior cities. It reflects the fusion of tradition and transition that characterizes modern central Texas.