573 Area CodeColumbia, MO
Area code 573 covers Columbia and nearby communities in Missouri, in the Central Time (CT) zone, home to about 659,000 people across 287 cities. It overlays 235, 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 235
Where is area code 573?
Area code 573 serves part of Columbia, MO and the surrounding areas. It has a single overlay (235) that serves the same area.
Overview of the 573 Area Code
What is the 573 area code?
The 573 area code serves Columbia, Missouri, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 573 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 573 created?
The 573 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Columbia once the existing area code 235 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 573 Area Code
The 573 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 235. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Columbia
- Jefferson City
- Cape Girardeau
- Rolla
- Farmington
- Hannibal
Got a call from a 573 number? It came from Columbia, MO. Since 573 overlays with 235, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 573, 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 573 area code operates alongside 235. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 573 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 573 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 573 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 331 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 573 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 69% robocalls
- ↑ 47% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other57%188
- Medical & prescriptions12%41
- Dropped call or no message8%26
* 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 573?
76% assigned to a telco
- 74% Landline
- 26% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (573)200- | Wireless | T-Mobile Usa |
| (573)201- | Wireless | New Cingular Wireless Pcs |
| (573)202- | Wireless | T-Mobile Usa |
| (573)203- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
| (573)204- | Landline | Southwestern Bell |
| (573)205- | Wireless | New Cingular Wireless Pcs |
| (573)206- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
| (573)207- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
| (573)208- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
| (573)209- | Landline | Mark Twain Communications |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 573 Area Code
Who called me from a 573 number?
A 573 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 573 code to look nearby, so a 573 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 331 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 573 code (69% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 573 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 573 is a normal, officially assigned code for Columbia, Missouri. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 573 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 331 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 573 code (69% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 573 area code?
Repeated calls from different 573 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 573 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 331 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 573 code (69% 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 573 number?
If you aren't expecting a 573 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 573 area code?
Block a single 573 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 573 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 573?
Area code 573 covers Columbia and the surrounding area in Missouri, spanning 287 cities with about 658,576 residents. It shares its area with overlay code 235.
Is 573 a real area code?
Yes. 573 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 573 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 573 area code in?
The 573 area code is in the Central Time (CT). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 573 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 573 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 573 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 573 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.