The 659 area code is an overlay serving central Alabama, including Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. Introduced in 2019, it was layered directly on top of the established 205 area code to supply fresh phone numbers across the most populous region of the state.
Quick Summary of the 659 Area Code
| Area Code | 659 |
| State | Alabama (AL) |
| Region | Central Alabama (Birmingham & Tuscaloosa) |
| Major Cities | Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, Bessemer, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Jasper, Gardendale |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Geographic Coverage
The 659 area code shares an identical footprint with 205, covering Birmingham and its suburbs of Hoover, Bessemer, Vestavia Hills, and Homewood, the university city of Tuscaloosa, and the surrounding central-Alabama communities of Jasper and Gardendale. Because it is an overlay rather than a separate region, a 659 number and a 205 number can exist on the same street.
Time Zone
The 659 area code observes Central Time (CT). Clocks follow Central Standard Time (UTC−6) in winter and shift to Central Daylight Time (UTC−5) from mid-March through early November. All of Alabama is on Central Time. From the West Coast, this region is two hours ahead of Pacific Time, so a 9:00 AM call in California reaches a 659 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 659 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 659 Number
Because area code 659 operates as part of an overlay, 10-digit dialing is mandatory for every local and long-distance call. You must dial the full 10-digit number (659 + the seven-digit line number) even when calling a neighbor across the street. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 659, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 659 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 659 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, Bessemer, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Jasper, Gardendale should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Threatening calls demanding immediate tax payment via gift cards or wire transfer. |
| Utility Shut-off | Impostors claiming to be Alabama Power threatening to cut power. |
| Tech Support Fraud | Pop-ups or calls claiming your computer is infected and asking for remote access. |
| Prize / Lottery Scam | Calls saying you won a prize but must pay a “fee” or “tax” to claim it. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 659 number, take these steps to protect yourself:
- Do not share personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords over the phone.
- Hang up and verify by calling the organization back using an official number from its website.
- Report the call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the Alabama Attorney General’s Office.
- Block the number and consider registering with the National Do Not Call Registry.
Red Flag: Legitimate agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or your local utility company (Alabama Power or Huntsville Utilities) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 659 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 659 Region
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The 659 area code entered service in 2019 as an overlay for the entire 205 region. Overlays let regulators add a fresh supply of phone numbers to a crowded area without forcing existing customers to change their established numbers, so 659 covers precisely the same cities as 205. The regional economy is anchored by Birmingham’s banking and finance sector, led by Regions Financial, and by the healthcare and biomedical research powerhouse of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), along with the University of Alabama and Mercedes-Benz manufacturing in the Tuscaloosa area. Because 659 is the newer of the two central-Alabama codes, it appears most often on recently activated mobile numbers and newly established business lines.
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Looking Up a 659 Number
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To identify a 659 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the complete 10-digit number online. Because 659 is a newer code often used for mobile numbers, some callers may have a smaller public footprint, so never share personal or financial details with an unverified caller.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Alabama is served by several area codes. If you are researching 659, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 205 – Central Alabama (overlay partner)
- 256 – Northern AL / Huntsville
- 938 – Northern AL overlay
- 334 – Central & Southeastern AL / Montgomery
- 251 – Southern & Coastal AL / Mobile
You can also browse our full directory of Alabama area codes for more regional guides.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State – every area code across all 50 states in one directory.
Explore Neighboring States
Researching area codes just across the state line? Start with these codes in the states that border Alabama:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 659 area code located?
The 659 area code serves central Alabama as an overlay of 205, covering Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, Bessemer, Vestavia Hills, and Homewood.
Why does 659 cover the same area as 205?
659 is an overlay added in 2019 because the 205 region ran short of available phone numbers. Both codes serve the exact same geographic area.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 659?
Yes. Overlay area codes like 659 always require 10-digit dialing for local calls.
Is the 659 area code Central Time?
Yes, the 659 area code follows Central Time (CST/CDT), like all of Alabama.
Related 659 Guides
- Is a 659 call safe? Read Is area code 659 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Birmingham area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.