Area code 425

The service area was reduced in 1957 to just the western part of the state, roughly following the Cascade Mountains.

In the lead-up to the switchover, John Keister, on his television comedy show Almost Live!, lampooned the fact that Renton wanted to join the 425 area code to be associated with the relatively wealthy Eastside, which includes Bellevue.

Additionally, Pat Cashman confronted a wealthy lady in another sketch about the change of area code when she lamented that the addition of Renton to 425 will devalue her property value in the Eastside, that Renton should be in the area code 253, with such suburbs as Kent, Auburn and Tacoma.

Korean-American rapper Jay Park, who was born in Edmonds (of the 425) and lives in Seattle (of the 206), includes a reference to both area codes in his song "Bestie."

The song "Operator" by Danish Eurodance artist Miss Papaya begins with an automated message notifying the caller that area code 206 has been changed to 425.