Area Code 229

Where Is Area Code 229?

Updated: February 25th 2024

Few travelers come from outside of the United States to visit area code 229. The 229 area code is predominantly used for the southwestern parts of Georgia. Including cities such as Albany and Valdosta, users of the 229 area code are quickly growing. As a result, the 229 area code was created as a split from the 912 area code in 2000 after population growth nearly exhausted the 912 area code. Other than the Greyhound bus station, the 229 area code does have several fun things to entertain locals. A few museums and music halls are popular with locals, although once you have toured them once, there is not much left to see. Golf is popular with older individuals in the area while students at Valdosta State University are left with little options when it comes to doing things in their free time except to study. Nevertheless, Valdosta’s one claim to fame is its beautiful landscape which is ideal for hiking. Several trails are located throughout the 229 area code and attract locals who enjoy canoeing or boating in the Blackgum Swamp.

Valdosta’s biggest claim to fame is as the home of James Lord Pierpont. As the author of the famous song titled “Jingle Bells,” Pierpont brought American culture to the world in the form of this simple song. Pierpont lived for many years in the 239 area code and worked as a music teacher. Regrettably, Pierpont never financially profited from “Jingle Bells” and the copyright ultimately expired.

As a result, Pierpont’s family has worked tirelessly to keep his memory alive and to make  sure that he is continually credited as the author of the famous Christmas carol, which is heard all over the world during the month of December.

Valdosta State University is not really well-known outside of the state of Georgia. However, the university is accredited and is notable for its student run newspaper called The Spectator. Winning several awards, The Spectator is recognized for its brilliant student contributors that bring life to the city of Valdosta. In fact, the newspaper reports on local events, and there are not many significant local events in the 229 area code. As a result, it takes a certain kind of creative ingenuity for The Spectator to be able to consistently win awards. The biggest controversy to occur in the 229 area code during the last several years was a controversy about new parking garages. The controversy skyrocketed out of control and attracted attention from the nation, but it is still largely unresolved.

One of the best things about living in Valdosta is its close proximity to other major attractions. The 229 area code is conveniently located right between Atlanta and Orlando. It takes merely four hours by car to drive from Valdosta to either one of these larger cities. Accordingly, residents in area code 229 can easily take a daytrip to Disney World in Orlando or to the world’s largest aquarium in Atlanta. Furthermore, the 229 area code is only a twenty minute drive from the Florida border.  Thus, Valdosta residents can have dinner in Georgia and dessert in Florida without using much gas or taking up too much time. Lastly, Valdosta connects to Waycross, Georgia through one of the longest straight stretches of railway in the world. Valdosta is approximately sixty miles away from Waycross, and the railway navigates this distance without veering or curving to the side. The railway literarily creates a straight path from Valdosta to Waycross.

Major Cities In Area Code 229

Albany

Valdosta

People who live in the 229 area code are not particularly different from the norm. Most are families and there is quite a youthful population that resides in area code 229. Unfortunately, almost a quarter of the Valdosta population lives below the poverty line. The recession has hit hard in Valdosta, which mainly employs retail jobs. As the American population starts watching their wallets more carefully, regions such as Valdosta are hardest hit. Additionally, Valdosta also has a significant number of naval stores. In fact, the 229 area code supplies most of the world’s demand for naval stores. The large lumber industry in Valdosta is obviously thriving, and large amounts of pine lumber and pulpwood is consistently exported. If you are interested in working in Valdosta, be prepared to work retail or chop lumber.

Georgia Area Codes By Number