Locations for Area Code - 256

Area code 256 covers northeastern Alabama, including Huntsville, Decatur, Florence, and Gadsden. Created in 1998 from a split with 205, it was overlaid with area code 938 in 2010, making ten-digit dialing mandatory. The region has become a center for aerospace, engineering, and defense, especially around Huntsville, which is home to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and numerous technology firms. The area is also rich in Appalachian culture and music. Area code 256 reflects both the scientific future and cultural heritage of Alabama, making it a code of growing prestige and innovation in the southeastern U.S.