253 Area Code: Tacoma & the Puget Sound Gateway

253 split from 206 in 1997 to serve the growing communities south of Seattle.

History & Coverage

253 spans Tacoma, Lakewood, and the South Puget Sound region, an area with deep maritime and military ties.

Why Businesses Choose 253

• Major port access: the Port of Tacoma is one of the largest container ports in North America
• Military base presence: Joint Base Lewis-McChord drives significant defense-related economic activity
• Lower costs than Seattle: 253 offers Puget Sound access with more affordable commercial real estate than downtown Seattle

Key Industries & Neighborhoods

Tacoma anchors port logistics and manufacturing, while Lakewood and JBLM-adjacent communities support defense contracting and military services.

Fun Facts

• The Port of Tacoma is among the top 10 busiest container ports in North America
• Joint Base Lewis-McChord is one of the largest military installations on the West Coast

Conclusion

For logistics, defense, and manufacturing businesses, 253 offers strong Puget Sound access at a more accessible cost than Seattle proper.