What Is Area Code 231? (Muskegon, Michigan)

Area code 231 covers Muskegon and surrounding areas in Michigan. It was activated in 1999 as an overlay of area code 616. For the full picture, see all Michigan area codes.

Cities Served by Area Code 231

Area code 231 serves Northwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, from Muskegon in the south to Petoskey in the north, including the Lake Michigan shoreline and inland counties, including the following cities and communities:

• Muskegon
• Traverse City
• Cadillac
• Big Rapids
• Petoskey
• Ludington
• Manistee
• Norton Shores

Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 616, 989, 906.

How to Get a 231 Phone Number

There are three ways to get a phone number with the 231 area code, each suited to a different need:

1. Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 231 number directly, often with a one-time fee and ownership transferred to you (no recurring carrier fees). This is the option for picking a specific memorable number, or for getting an area code that most carriers won’t let you request. Browse our 231 inventory.
2. Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 231 number on request, especially for active overlay codes. You won’t usually get to pick the specific number, but you’ll get a working line in the area code. This is the cheapest option for anyone who doesn’t need a particular number.
3. Port an existing 231 number. If you already have a 231 phone number with another carrier, you can transfer it (port it) to a new service provider while keeping the number. This works for landlines, cell phones, and VoIP services, though landlines outside of Michigan sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 231 numbers due to 911 routing rules.

Looking for a 231 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 231 numbers for Muskegon, Michigan — choose your number, port it to any carrier in 3–5 business days, and pay a one-time fee with no monthly charges. Browse available 231 numbers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 231 area code still in use?
Yes. 231 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Northwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, from Muskegon in the south to Petoskey in the north, including the Lake Michigan shoreline and inland counties.

What is the parent area code of 231?
Area code 231 is an overlay of 616. Both codes serve the same region of Michigan.

Can I get a 231 number if I don't live in Michigan?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 231 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.

Is 231 a scam area code?
No. 231 is a legitimate, active area code for Northwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, from Muskegon in the south to Petoskey in the north, including the Lake Michigan shoreline and inland counties. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 231 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Michigan businesses, government offices, and residents.

What cities are in the 231 area code?
Area code 231 covers dozens of communities across northwestern Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, including Muskegon, Traverse City, Cadillac, Big Rapids, Petoskey, Ludington, Manistee, and Norton Shores, among others.

What area code did 231 split from?
Area code 231 was created on June 5, 1999, as a geographic split from area code 616, which had served the entire western half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The split assigned the northern and northwestern portion of that territory to 231.

Does area code 231 have an overlay?
No. As of 2026, area code 231 has no overlay code. It remains the sole area code for northwestern Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

What time zone is the 231 area code in?
Area code 231 is in the Eastern Time Zone (UTC-5 standard, UTC-4 during Daylight Saving Time), the same as the rest of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

Related Reading

• Who Invented Area Codes?
• Why Use Area Codes For Local Calls?
• What States Have the Most Area Codes?
• Most Desirable Area Codes