Area Codes

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Summary

Until 1997, Pennsylvania had four area codes – 814, 412, 717 and 215. With the increased use of cell phones and consumers purchasing additional lines in their homes, the demand for additional telephone lines exploded. This demand put the four area codes in Pennsylvania in jeopardy.

Since then, five more were added from 1997 through 2000: 724 in greater Pittsburgh, 570 in northeastern Pa., and 610, 484 and 267 in southeastern Pa. In 2001, one more was activated in the greater Pittsburgh area (878). The Commission voted to suspend the implementation of the 445 and 835 area codes in southeastern Pennsylvania. And the telecommunications industry proposed a thirteenth area code for the 570 area, but implementation became unnecessary at the time.

Area Code Maps

Statewide Map Maps by county and rate center 412 570 610/484 814 724 717 215/267

Conserving Area Codes

Area Code Conservation
Over the past several years, the PUC has instituted several numbering conservation efforts to slow the proliferation of area codes in Pennsylvania , including pooling and NXX code and thousands-block reclamation.

Current Status of Area Codes

1. Northwestern Pennsylvania
   814 region -  The area code stretches from Erie to Johnstown to Breezewood, State College and Potter County.

2. Northeastern Pennsylvania
   570 region - The region covers Williamsport , Scranton , Wilkes-Barre and Monroe County.

3. Southeastern Pennsylvania
   215, 267, 484 and 610 region -  The 215 and 267 region primarily covers Philadelphia and some surrounding suburbs.  The 610 and 484 area covers Allentown, Reading, Bethlehem, and some suburbs of Philadelphia. 

4. Central Pennsylvania
   717 region - The 717 area codes stretches from Lancaster to Harrisburg, to York and Fulton County.

5. Western Pennsylvania
   412, 724 and 878 region - The 412 area code is primarily located in Pittsburgh and 724 covers the suburbs of Pittsburgh.  The 878 area code is an overlay that covers both the 412 and 724 regions.

FAQs

Area Code FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about area codes.

Area Code Dictionary

Area Code Dictionary
List of telephone and area code terms.

Links

1. AreaCode-Info.com
   Up-to-date information on areas around the country.

2. Neustar
   The number pooling administrator for the pooling trials.

3. AreaCode Locations
   A list of locations for each area code in the US, Canada and some Carribean Islands.

4. NANPA
   North American Numbering Plan Administration who assigns telephone numbers to telephone carriers.