Geographic Regions and Area Codes

Area Code 573 is a significant telephone area code in the state of Missouri, covering a wide range of geographic regions. It primarily serves the eastern half of the state, excluding the St. Louis metropolitan area. Major cities within this area code include Columbia, Jefferson City, and Cape Girardeau. Other notable cities include Rolla, Farmington, Hannibal, and Sikeston. The area code was established on January 7, 1996, following a split from Area Code 314, which was confined to the St. Louis metropolitan area. Additionally, Area Code 235 is set to overlay Area Code 573 starting March 24, 2024, to accommodate the growing demand for telephone numbers.