📍 What Is Area Code 352?
Area Code 352 is a telephone area code in the North Central region of Florida, USA. It serves many inland cities and towns, including Gainesville, Ocala, and parts of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. Introduced in 1996, this code is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP).
🗺️ Where Is Area Code 352 Located?
Area code 352 covers a wide region in north-central Florida. While it is not associated with large metro cities like Miami or Orlando, it spans across many important counties, including:
- Alachua County
- Marion County
- Citrus County
- Levy County
- Sumter County
- Parts of Lake, Pasco, and Hernando Counties
📌 Map Highlights:
Cities within this area code include:
- Gainesville (home of the University of Florida)
- Ocala
- The Villages
- Inverness
- Brooksville
- Newberry
- Crystal River
🕰️ History of Area Code 352
Area code 352 was created on December 3, 1995, as a split from area code 904, which had originally covered much of northern Florida. The rapid growth in population and the rise of cellular devices led to the need for additional area codes in the state.
The 352 area code has not undergone an overlay yet, meaning no other area code shares the same geographic region.
🏙️ Major Cities in the 352 Area Code
Here are some of the most notable cities served by area code 352:
| City | County | Population Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Gainesville | Alachua | 140,000+ |
| Ocala | Marion | 63,000+ |
| The Villages | Sumter | 79,000+ |
| Inverness | Citrus | 7,000+ |
| Crystal River | Citrus | 3,000+ |
| Newberry | Alachua | 7,500+ |
❗ Are There Scams Associated with Area Code 352?
Yes. Like many U.S. area codes, 352 is sometimes used by scammers. These scams include:
- One-ring calls (missed calls to make you call back)
- IRS impersonation calls
- Fake tech support
- Prize/lottery scams
👉 Tip: If you don’t recognize the number, avoid answering or calling back unless you verify the source.
☎️ How to Get a Phone Number with Area Code 352
If you’re a business or individual wanting a 352 phone number, you can:
- Use a virtual phone provider like Google Voice, Grasshopper, or RingCentral.
- Request a number through your mobile or VoIP carrier.
- Choose it during number setup if you’re located in Florida or nearby.
📈 Businesses often use local area codes like 352 to build trust with Florida-based customers.
👶 Is Area Code 352 Safe for Children to Answer?
In general, phone numbers with this area code are safe — but educate children not to answer unknown calls. Use caller ID apps and talk to kids about robocalls or scam calls.
✅ Conclusion
Area code 352 plays a key role in connecting people and businesses across north-central Florida. Whether you’re based in Gainesville, running a business in Ocala, or simply receiving a call from this code, now you know its full background, location, and significance.