Area code 608 serves southwestern Wisconsin, including Madison, La Crosse, and Platteville. Established in 1955 from a split with 715, it covers a politically and culturally active region anchored by Wisconsin’s state capital, Madison, home to the University of Wisconsin. Seven-digit dialing is still common locally. Area code 608 represents a blend of progressive politics, education, and natural beauty, often invoked in local pride and civic identity across southern Wisconsin.