Area code 724 serves southwestern Pennsylvania, surrounding but not including Pittsburgh. Introduced in 1998 as a split from 412, it covers cities and towns such as Greensburg, Washington, New Castle, and Beaver. The region blends suburban communities, old steel towns, and rural areas, and plays a key role in the Pittsburgh metro economy. Industries include manufacturing, energy, and education. The area code shares its territory with overlay 878, requiring ten-digit dialing. 724 represents the historical and economic landscape just beyond Pittsburgh’s core and is widely recognized across western Pennsylvania.