Area Code 706

Where Is Area Code 706?

The 706 area code covers Augusta, GA and other cities that lie just outside of the metropolitan of Atlanta. Originally, Augusta was covered by the Georgia 404 area code, but it needed to be split into the 706 area code to provide numbering relief. However, the 706 area code was quickly exhausted and the Georgia Public Service Commission decided that it was appropriate to overlay it with the new 762 area code. As a result, Georgia residents are often quite confused when deciding which area code to dial before a number. It is important to remember that ten digit dialing is always required in the Augusta, GA area code.

Augusta is most known for its celebrated golf course at the Augusta National Golf Club. Each year the 706 area code hosts one of the most important tournaments in golf, The Masters. Talented golfers from around the country gather in Augusta every April in an attempt to show off the skills that they were perfecting over the winter. Famous golfers at the Augusta National Golf Club include Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus  and Gary Player, who have all won the coveted green jacket multiple times. Other than the famous green jacket, winners of the tournament in the 706 area code take home more than $1 million in prize money. Nevertheless, golfers are most honored by the title they receive and the peace that comes with knowing that all of their hard work has finally paid off. In fact, winners of The Masters are invited to play at each Masters’ tournament for the rest of their lives. Additionally, The Masters act as a qualifying tournament for the other three majors. As a result, winners of The Masters in the 706 area code get automatic invitations to the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, and British Open.

The pleasant city of Augusta has a population that is just under 200,000. People who live in the Augusta area code are generally quite diverse. For instance, approximately half of the population is Caucasian while the other half is predominantly made up of African Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics. The 706 area code is a fairly young community with lots of kids and young adults. Not many people choose Augusta for their retirement, which has resulted in only 10% of the population being over 65 years old. As a result, area code 706 has consistently attracted younger families who want to purchase a starter home and find their footing in the world. Augusta is more a residential area and tourism does not really feature in its economy. However, the bright minds of the younger population have helped inspire new research in their scientific and military industries. Fittingly, the area even has a magnet high school for the health sciences and engineering, which functions as a perfect training ground for the future scientists of America. The magnet high school has consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation and one of the top three in Georgia. Focusing on academics as well as athletics, especially golf, the magnet high school has prepared countless young residents in area code 706 for bright futures.

The youthful population in area code 706 is perfect for their main industries. Augusta is a hub for the sciences, focusing on exciting industries such as biotechnology and the military. In fact, the Georgia Health Sciences University is located in Augusta, and functions as the only public university in the state of Georgia that offers graduate health sciences degrees. With a $90.5 million endowment, Georgia Health Sciences University is one of the oldest continuously operating medical schools in the United States. Georgia Health Sciences University was founded in 1828 and presently has over 4,500 employees. The United States Army Signal Center is also located in the 706 area code and helps supports the region’s economy. Individuals trained at the U.S. Army Signal Corps go on to carry major responsibility in the field. For example, graduates from the U.S. Army Signal Corps are usually employed in military areas such as intelligence, aviation, and even weather forecasting.

Obviously, the primary industries in Augusta are always necessary. Accordingly, area code 706 has not experienced the major effects of the current American recession. Luckily, Augusta residents have not had to endure the major layoffs and unemployment ratings seen in the rest of the country. Instead, the Augusta Community has had fewer bankruptcy filings and a decreased unemployment rate in the last several years. Other corporations such as NutraSweet, Kellogg’s, Delta Airlines, and John Deere also have facilities in area code 706, which undoubtedly have also helped to support the local economy. Additionally, the Medical District in Augusta has given the region more than 25,000 jobs and brings almost $2 billion into the economy annually. The University Hospital, which is located in the Medical District, is regularly rated as one of the best hospitals nationwide even though it is also one of the oldest in Georgia.

Augusta also has several educational institutions. Augusta State University was founded in 1785 and is accordingly the oldest state chartered university in the United States. The university is most known for its excellent business programs at the James M. Hull College of Business. Other notable educational institutions in the 706 area code include Augusta Technical College, Paine College (a historically African American educational institution), and Georgia Military College. However, most of Augusta’s educational institutions, except for the Georgia Health Sciences University, do not seem to have a high retention rate of freshman students. Unfortunately, many students in the 706 area code tend to drop out of college.

Georgia Area Codes By Number