North Carolina · Eastern Time
980 Area Code
Area code 980 is in North Carolina, serving Charlotte and the surrounding south-central North Carolina metro area. It is in the Eastern Time zone. It shares its territory with overlay code 704, so 10-digit dialing is required.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 980 area code?
980 is a North Carolina area code covering Charlotte and the surrounding south-central North Carolina metro area. In the wider directory it sits in the South region.
Cities in the 980 area code
- Charlotte
- Concord
- Gastonia
- Huntersville
- Kannapolis
- Mooresville
- Matthews
- Monroe
- Salisbury
- Cornelius
- Statesville
- Indian Trail
- Mint Hill
- Shelby
Counties served by 980
Mecklenburg County, Gaston County, Cabarrus County, Union County, Rowan County, Iredell County, Cleveland County, Lincoln County, Stanly County and Anson County.
980 overlay codes and dialing
The 980 territory is covered by an overlay of 2 area codes: 704, 980. All of them serve the same geographic area, and the original code is 704. Because more than one code covers the same ground, 10-digit dialing is mandatory — you must dial the area code for every local call. New phone lines may be assigned any of these codes.
History of the 980 area code
980 went into service on April 1, 2001 as an overlay of 704, relieving number exhaustion in the Charlotte area. Rather than splitting the region, the overlay lets existing customers keep their numbers while new lines draw from the added code. Learn more in our overlay guide.
Is 980 a scam or spam risk?
980 is a legitimate geographic area code, not a premium or toll line, so a call from it costs you nothing extra. That said, scammers frequently spoof real local area codes to look familiar on caller ID. A genuine 980 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Charlotte, NC or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other North Carolina area codes
Explore more
See every code in North Carolina, compare codes across the South region, or view all Eastern Time codes. You can also browse the 9XX block or the complete numeric list of US area codes.
New to how this all works? Start with how area codes work, then read up on overlays, 10-digit dialing, and spam & scam-risk codes. To check another number, use the area code lookup tool.
Quick answers
980 area code FAQ
Where is the 980 area code?
The 980 area code is in North Carolina, covering Charlotte and the surrounding south-central North Carolina metro area, in the South region.
What cities are in the 980 area code?
Cities in the 980 area code include Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Huntersville, Kannapolis, Mooresville, Matthews, Monroe, Salisbury and Cornelius.
What time zone is 980 in?
980 is in the Eastern Time zone.
What is the overlay for the 980 area code?
980 shares its territory with 704. Both codes (704, 980) serve the same area, so 10-digit dialing is required for every call.
When did the 980 area code start?
980 went into service on April 1, 2001 as an overlay of 704.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 980?
Yes. Because 980 is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 980 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 980 is a standard geographic area code, so calling it costs the same as any local or long-distance call on your plan. Toll-free calls use 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833.