Geographic Coverage & Key Cities

Introduced in January 2002 after splitting from the 219 area code, 260 serves northeastern Indiana exclusively. The area includes 12 counties and more than 68 cities and towns. From Fort Wayne's modern business districts to Angola's lakeside economy, 260 is a key identifier for Indiana's economic engine in the northeast.

It stretches across Allen, Adams, DeKalb, Huntington, Jay, Kosciusko, Lagrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, and Whitley counties. Fort Wayne stands as the largest metro, while towns like Bluffton, Auburn, and Wabash reflect the region's diversity and growth. Head north and you approach the 219 area code in Northwest Indiana; move west and you'll hit 574 and 765. Despite these borders, 260 remains the recognizable code for Indiana's most productive corridor.

Key Economic Zones & Business Hubs

Northeastern Indiana blends legacy industries with emerging innovation, with Fort Wayne leading the charge in business activity. Secondary hubs are growing in Auburn, Warsaw, Columbia City, and Bluffton, contributing to a region defined by medical, manufacturing, logistics, and education sectors.

  • Fort Wayne: A center for medical device manufacturing, tech startups, and insurance companies.
  • Warsaw (just outside 260): World-renowned for orthopedic device production.
  • Angola & Steuben County: Supported by tourism, real estate, and higher education institutions.
  • Huntington & Wabash: Known for liberal arts education, small manufacturers, and local arts.
  • Strategic Industries: Healthcare, logistics, education, tech, and advanced manufacturing.

Time Zone & Business Impact

The 260 area code operates on Eastern Time, switching between EST (UTC–5) from November to March and EDT (UTC–4) during daylight saving time. While the change may seem minor, time zone alignment impacts business operations—especially when coordinating across regions. A one-hour scheduling mismatch can cost real-time communication, productivity, and even sales.

While it may seem like a small detail, time zones influence business performance. Missing calls due to misaligned scheduling—even by one hour—can hurt conversions and customer trust. Studies suggest that each hour of time difference reduces real-time communication by 11%.

Time Zone Advantages

  • East Coast Alignment: Matches major financial centers like New York and Washington, D.C.
  • Automatic DST Adjustment: AI answering services adapt to seasonal changes without manual setup.
  • Reduced Missed Meetings: Smart scheduling tools help businesses avoid timezone-based errors.