Area code 517 covers south-central Michigan, including cities such as Lansing (the state capital), Jackson, East Lansing, and Charlotte. It was one of the original area codes created in 1947 and originally served a much larger region before being split to create area code 989 in 2001. The area includes Michigan State University and several key government institutions, making it a hub of education and public administration. It features a mix of urban, suburban, and rural communities. 517 remains a key part of Michigan’s telecommunications framework and is associated with stability, governance, and academic influence.