Real Girls: 11 states have this in common


	August 26, 2024

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Eleven U.S. states have just one area code.

As the largest and smallest states by area, Alaska and Rhode Island are in some ways diametrically opposed. But they do share one particular quirk: Each has just one area code. In fact, there are a total of 11 U.S. states whose residents use the same area code — Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming — and the reason has to do with the lower population numbers in those locations.

In 1947, AT&T introduced area codes in an effort to standardize phone numbers across the United States and parts of Canada. The company issued 86 original area codes that are still in use today; the more well populated a state was, the more likely it was to be allotted multiple area codes. Back then, it was common practice for the middle digit to be "0" if the area code covered an entire state, and "1" if it covered only a portion. Today, many states have grown large enough to be given additional area codes, but there are still 11 holdouts. For instance, every inch of Alaska's 665,384 square miles uses the same 907 area code. The same is true for the fourth largest state by area, Montana, whose residential phone numbers all start with 406. Many of these 11 states have come to embrace their singular area codes as an emblem of local pride. You'll often find those three digits emblazoned on shirts, craft beers, bumper stickers, and other souvenirs sold throughout each state.

Helena, Montana, was once home to the most millionaires per capita.

FACT

FIB

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Alaska is nicknamed the "__."

REVEAL ANSWER

		Numbers Don't Lie

Area codes currently used in California (the most of any state)

First assigned area code (northeastern New Jersey)

201

Square miles serviced by the 867 area code

1.5 million+

Year Indiana received its first nonoriginal area code

1948

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Multiple states with single area codes will soon run out of phone numbers.

Of the 11 states that still rely on a single area code, several are projected to run out of available phone numbers in the near future. Once that happens, those states will have to implement new area codes for the first time since 1947. Experts project North Dakota will run out of 701 numbers by 2026, and Montana is estimated to max out its capacity of 406 numbers the following year. Maine is also teetering on the precipice, as it's expected to supplement its 207 area code by the year 2033. This is due to growing populations and increased cellphone use, both of which require additional phone numbers. However, many local leaders in these states are attempting to delay the addition of other area codes by changing the way phone numbers are assigned, as the current system leads to many numbers being left unused.