228 Area CodeGulfport, MS
Area code 228 covers Gulfport and nearby communities in Mississippi, in the Central Time (CT) zone, home to about 306,000 people across 28 cities. It overlays 601 and 769, so the region uses several codes and every local call needs all ten digits.
Overview
- Major City
- Gulfport
- State
- Mississippi (MS)
- Timezone
- Central Time (CT)
- Current Time
- Overlay
- Yes – shares area with 601, 769
Overview of the 228 Area Code
What is the 228 area code?
The 228 area code serves Gulfport, Mississippi, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 228 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 228 created?
The 228 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Gulfport once the existing area codes 601 and 769 began to run out of available prefixes. It added a new supply of numbers without requiring current residents to change their existing digits.
Geographic Coverage of the 228 Area Code
The 228 area code serves Gulfport and surrounding areas in Mississippi. It operates within the Central Time (CT) time zone. It complements the coverage of area codes 601 and 769. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Gulfport
- Biloxi
- Pascagoula
- Gautier
- Ocean Springs
- Long Beach
Got a call from a 228 number? It came from Gulfport, MS. Since 228 overlays with 601 and 769, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 228, Gulfport holds about 24% of the population; the rest is split across 27 smaller cities.
Gulfport Area Codes Overview
Gulfport is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 228 area code operates alongside 601, 769. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 228 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 228 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | MS | 74,621 | 3% | 100% |
| Biloxi | MS | 48,144 | 2% | 100% |
| Pascagoula | MS | 21,476 | 1% | 100% |
| Gautier | MS | 19,055 | 1% | 100% |
| Ocean Springs | MS | 18,954 | 1% | 100% |
| Long Beach | MS | 17,217 | 0% | 100% |
| D'Iberville | MS | 13,399 | 0% | 100% |
| Moss Point | MS | 11,791 | 1% | 100% |
| Bay St. Louis | MS | 10,526 | 1% | 99% |
| Diamondhead | MS | 9,391 | 0% | 100% |
* Sources: Population – U.S. Census Bureau PEP, Vintage 2024 (SUB-IP-EST2024-POP). Area code assignments – NANPA CO Code data. See our data methodology.
Has area code 228 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 210 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 228 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 64% robocalls
- ↑ 26% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other28%59
- Dropped call or no message20%42
- Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)16%34
* Caller ID is easily spoofed, so these figures reflect the number shown on caller ID, not the caller's true location – an area code alone never identifies a caller. The FTC does not verify the facts in these complaints. Source: FTC Do Not Call (DNC) Reported Calls Data, retrieved 2026-07-05.
Which prefixes and exchanges belong to area code 228?
26% assigned to a telco
- 69% Landline
- 31% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (228)200- | Landline | At&T |
| (228)201- | Landline | Telepak Networks |
| (228)202- | Landline | South Central Bell Tel |
| (228)203- | Landline | Nuso |
| (228)204- | Landline | South Central Bell Tel |
| (228)205- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
| (228)206- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
| (228)207- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
| (228)208- | Wireless | Usa Mobility Wireless |
| (228)209- | Wireless | Verizon Wireless |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 228 Area Code
Who called me from a 228 number?
A 228 number is assigned to Gulfport, Mississippi, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 228 code to look nearby, so a 228 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 210 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 228 code (64% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 228 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 228 is a normal, officially assigned code for Gulfport, Mississippi. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 228 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 210 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 228 code (64% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 228 area code?
Repeated calls from different 228 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 228 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 210 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 228 code (64% flagged as robocalls). Blocking one number rarely helps; voicemail screening, your carrier spam filter, and the Do Not Call Registry work better.
Should I answer an unknown 228 number?
If you aren't expecting a 228 call, let it ring to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, most robocallers hang up when no one picks up, and answering can mark your number as active and bring more calls.
How do I block calls from the 228 area code?
Block a single 228 number from your recent-calls list (iPhone: tap the number, then Block this Caller; Android: tap the number, then Block or report spam). To cut the volume, turn on Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone or spam protection on Android, enable spam filtering from your carrier, and register at DoNotCall.gov. Blocking the entire 228 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 228?
Area code 228 covers Gulfport and the surrounding area in Mississippi, spanning 28 cities with about 306,252 residents. It shares its area with overlay codes 601, 769.
Is 228 a real area code?
Yes. 228 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Gulfport, Mississippi. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 228 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 228 area code in?
The 228 area code is in the Central Time (CT). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 228 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 228 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 228 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 228 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.