Where Is Area Code 980 Located?

Area code 980 covers Charlotte and surrounding areas in North Carolina. It was activated in 2001 as an overlay of area code 704. For the full picture, see all North Carolina area codes.

Quick Facts: Area Code 980

State	North Carolina
Primary city	Charlotte
Cities also served	Charlotte, Gastonia, Concord, Kannapolis, Huntersville, Mooresville, Salisbury, Statesville
Time zone	Eastern (UTC-5 / UTC-4 DST)
Year established	April 1, 2001
Original 1947 NPA?	No
Parent code	704
Overlay codes	704
Currently in use?	Yes, actively assigned
Ten-digit dialing required?	Yes

Cities Served by Area Code 980

Area code 980 serves Charlotte metropolitan area and parts of 12 surrounding counties in south-central North Carolina, including the following cities and communities:

• Charlotte
• Gastonia
• Concord
• Kannapolis
• Huntersville
• Mooresville
• Salisbury
• Statesville

Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 704, 828.

How to Get a 980 Phone Number

There are three ways to get a phone number with the 980 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 980 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 980 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 980 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 980 number. If you already have a 980 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 North Carolina sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 980 numbers due to 911 routing rules.

Looking for a 980 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 980 numbers for Charlotte, North Carolina — 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 980 numbers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 980 area code still in use?
Yes. 980 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Charlotte metropolitan area and parts of 12 surrounding counties in south-central North Carolina.

What is the difference between 980 and 704?
Today they share the same geographic territory in North Carolina. New phone lines in the area may be assigned either code. The two codes work identically for calling, billing, and service.

What is the parent area code of 980?
Area code 980 is an overlay of 704. Both codes serve the same region of North Carolina.

Can I get a 980 number if I don't live in North Carolina?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 980 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.

Is 980 a scam area code?
No. 980 is a legitimate, active area code for Charlotte metropolitan area and parts of 12 surrounding counties in south-central North Carolina. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 980 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real North Carolina businesses, government offices, and residents.

Related Reading

• What States Have the Most Area Codes?
• Most Desirable Area Codes
• How Do Area Codes Work?
• How Are Area Codes Assigned?

Looking for a different code? See the complete US area code directory.