235 Area CodeColumbia, MO
Area code 235 covers Columbia and nearby communities in Missouri, in the Central Time (CT) zone, home to about 659,000 people across 287 cities. It overlays 573, so the same region uses both and every local call needs all ten digits.
Overview
- Major City
- Columbia
- State
- Missouri (MO)
- Timezone
- Central Time (CT)
- Current Time
- Overlay
- Yes – shares area with 573
Where is area code 235?
Area code 235 serves part of Columbia, MO and the surrounding areas. It has a single overlay (573) that serves the same area.
Overview of the 235 Area Code
What is the 235 area code?
The 235 area code serves Columbia, Missouri, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 235 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 235 created?
The 235 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Columbia once the existing area code 573 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 235 Area Code
The 235 area code serves Columbia and surrounding areas in Missouri. It operates within the Central Time (CT) time zone. It complements the coverage of area code 573. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Columbia
- Jefferson City
- Cape Girardeau
- Rolla
- Farmington
- Hannibal
Got a call from a 235 number? It came from Columbia, MO. Since 235 overlays with 573, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 235, Columbia holds about 20% of the population; the rest is split across 286 smaller cities.
Columbia Area Codes Overview
Columbia is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 235 area code operates alongside 573. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 235 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 235 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | MO | 130,900 | 0% | 100% |
| Jefferson City | MO | 42,564 | 0% | 100% |
| Cape Girardeau | MO | 40,818 | 0% | 100% |
| Rolla | MO | 20,660 | 0% | 100% |
| Farmington | MO | 19,165 | 0% | 100% |
| Hannibal | MO | 16,809 | 0% | 100% |
| Poplar Bluff | MO | 16,177 | 0% | 100% |
| Sikeston | MO | 16,062 | 0% | 100% |
| Jackson | MO | 15,929 | 0% | 100% |
| Fort Leonard Wood | MO | 15,061 | 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 235 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 12 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 235 area code (May 29 – Jun 25, 2026).
- 58% robocalls
- ↑ 40% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other50%6
- Dropped call or no message25%3
- Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends17%2
* 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.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 235 Area Code
Who called me from a 235 number?
A 235 number is assigned to Columbia, Missouri, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 235 code to look nearby, so a 235 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 12 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 235 code (58% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 235 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 235 is a normal, officially assigned code for Columbia, Missouri. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 235 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 12 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 235 code (58% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 235 area code?
Repeated calls from different 235 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 235 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 12 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 235 code (58% 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 235 number?
If you aren't expecting a 235 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 235 area code?
Block a single 235 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 235 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 235?
Area code 235 covers Columbia and the surrounding area in Missouri, spanning 287 cities with about 658,576 residents. It shares its area with overlay code 573.
Is 235 a real area code?
Yes. 235 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Columbia, Missouri. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 235 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 235 area code in?
The 235 area code is in the Central Time (CT). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 235 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 235 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 235 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 235 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.