Texas
(254) Area Code 254 — Waco, Texas
254 Area Code – Waco, Texas: Location, Time Zone & History
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Map of Area Code 254
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History & Cultural Notes
Central Texas received its own numbering plan area on July 25, 1997, when the original 817 code was divided three ways: 254 took the southern territory covering Waco, Killeen, Temple, and the surrounding counties, while 940 was carved out for the north-central part of the state. The change was made to relieve number exhaustion in the fast-growing region.
The 254 area anchors a diverse regional economy. Fort Cavazos, near Killeen, is one of the largest military installations in the United States and a major employer and economic driver for the area. Waco is home to Baylor University, the oldest continuously operating university in Texas, which supports the city's higher education and healthcare sectors. Beyond Waco and Killeen, the numbering plan area also serves Temple, Belton, Copperas Cove, and Harker Heights.
- Military and defense, centered on Fort Cavazos
- Higher education, led by Baylor University
- Healthcare
- Food and beverage manufacturing
- Aerospace and defense manufacturing
Later, on October 24, 2021, ten-digit dialing became mandatory across the 254 numbering plan area. The requirement stemmed from the fact that central office code 988 was already in use locally before 988 was designated nationwide as the abbreviated dialing code for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.