Area Code History
When did area codes first come into use?
The area code system was developed by AT&T and Bell
Laboratories in the 1940's, and went into effect in 1947. It was
called the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) and included the
United States and Canada .
How were the original area codes
distributed?
In 1947, states and provinces that had a single area code we
assigned three digit codes with 0 as the middle number, such as 203
for Connecticut and 305 for Florida . There were 86 area codes at
that time.
States and provinces that had more than one area code
distributed to them were given three digit codes with 1 as the
middle number, such as 916 and 213 for various sections of
California , and 212 and 518 for various sections of New York .
The first and third digits were allotted according to population
density in the city or region the area code was going to, with the
most populated areas getting the lowest numbers. The New York City
area, for example, was assigned 212, while the surrounding suburbs
were assigned 914.
California was assigned three area codes in 1947: 213 area code
for Southern California, 415 area code for Central California, and
916 area code for Northern California.
California Area Codes in 1947
The First Area Code Splits
1951 - The 714 area code was split from area code 213 as
a flash-cut sometime during 1951. The 714 area code included most
of Southern California, generally south and east of Los Angeles,
extending to the Arizona and Nevada state lines to the east, and
south as far as the Mexican border (what is essentially area code
760 now).
1957 - The 805 area code was split from area code 213.
Area code 805 includes most or all portions of the California
counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura, plus
southernmost portions of Monterey County, and a small portion of
Los Angeles County.
California Area Codes Through the
1970’s
Current Day
Here are some of the highlights from area codes splits starting
in the 1980’s, and accelerating to the current day area code
structure, which now includes overlay area codes. Where is it
going? There is much debate on that topic as the population
increases and communication technology expands. This cacher favors
using 10-digit phone numbers for all calls.
1982 - The 619 area code was created from the 714 area
code. It includes San Diego County.
1984 - The 818 area code was created from the 213 area
code. It includes San Gabriel Valley and San Fernando Valley.
1991 - The 310 area code was created from the 213 area
code. It includes Western, Eastern, & Southern L.A. County.
1992 - The 909 area code was created from the 714 area
code. It includes Riverside and San Bernardino.
1997 - The 562 area code was created from the 310 area
code. It includes Eastern L.A. County and Long Beach.
1997 - The 626 area code was created from the 818 area
code. It includes San Gabriel.
1998 - The 323 area code was created from the 213 area
code. It includes Los Angeles.
1998 - The 949 area code was created from the 714 area
code. It includes Southern and Western Orange County.
1999 - The 661 area code was created from the 805 area
code. It includes Northern L.A. County including the Santa Clarita
and Antelope Valleys.
California Area Codes in 2005
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