Who’s who for America’s hottest area codes? It’s time for the big reveal! We almost retired our study this year, but by special request, we bring you the nation’s Top 20 Area Codes of 2025.
At NumberBarn, we sell tens of thousands of custom phone numbers a year. Since 2021, we’ve examined our own purchase data annually to get a glimpse of the most popular area codes of the previous year. Once again, we combed through our data to find out which area codes were most in demand in 2025. We asked why, explored business and cultural trends, and noted any relevant observations we discovered along the way.
Key Findings
- Pasadena’s 626 ranked the No. 1 most popular area code in the U.S. in 2025. It’s also the only area code that has appeared in the top five every single year across all five studies.
- The four NYC area codes (929, 212, 347, 917) together represent over 26% of purchases. With the 465 overlay recently arriving, these area codes were extra hot in 2025.
- 2025’s study saw the most first-time entrants of any year. Six new codes (407, 631, 773, 601, 917, 708) debuted simultaneously, signaling the top area codes are broadening geographically.
- Texas ranked only once in our top 20 area codes of the year.
- Chicago, IL debuted not one but two area codes for the first time, without any overlay influence.
With no further ado, here’s “who’s who” for the top area codes of 2025:
The Top 20 Area Codes of 2025
No. 20 – 708 | Cicero, IL (Chicago Suburbs)
Making its unsuspecting debut on our Top 20 list for 2025 and the first-time-ever appearance for an Illinois area code: Cicero, IL’s 708 area code. Welcome to the big leagues, Cicero!
Mostly serving the “Chicagoland” suburbs of west and south Chicago, area code 708 covers:
- Cicero, Berwyn, Oak Park, Orland Park, Burbank, Evergreen Park, Calumet City, Harvey and Tinley Park
708 is not a new area code, nor is it a perpetually in-demand “OG” (original) U.S. area code. Cicero’s 708 was actually created nearly four decades ago in 1989 as a split from Chicago’s original 312 area code. It also covers the same region as its newer 464 area code overlay, inaugurated in January 2022.
So what’s happening in Cicero and its surrounding cities? Unsurprisingly, Chicago and its suburbs have seen a boost in growth, with the city of Chicago’s population expanding to 2.73 million in 2025, maintaining its status as the third-largest U.S. city. “Chicagoland,” as the greater metro Chicago area is known, holds a population of over 9 million people.
With booming finance, manufacturing, logistics and healthcare industries, Chicagoland held its place for the 13th year in a row as the No.1 destination for business and commercial relocation. It secured over 220 relocations from major corporations in 2025 alone and added an estimated 19,600 jobs with $1.7B in earnings. A local 708 phone number could help businesses wanting a “Chicagoland” identity without claiming a downtown Chicago prefix.
No. 19 – 786 | Miami, FL
Returning to our list but making a very sizeable descent from third place in 2024 and first place in 2023 – Miami, Florida’s 786 area code. (Heads up: Miami’s still on the list, but with a different area code.)
Created in 1998 to relieve Miami’s heavily used 305 area code, 786 serves the following communities:
- Hialeah, Miami Gardens, Miami Beach, Kendall and Homestead, along with Miami itself
- Aventura, Carol City, Coral Gables, Coral Terrace, Country Club, Cutler Ridge, Doral, Golden Glades, Kendale Lakes, Kendall West, Leisure City, Miami Lakes, Miramar, Norland, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Richmond Heights, Richmond West, South Miami Heights, Tamiami, West Little River, West Miami and Westchester
- Florida Keys (Monroe County): Upper and Middle Keys only, including communities around Marathon and Islamorada
Miami-Dade County maintains a population of approximately 2.7 million residents and holds its position as the seventh most populous county in the U.S. With such a dense population, it naturally acquired the 645 area code overlay in August 2023, which could explain 786’s significant descent in the 2025 rankings, as 645 settles in and demand tapers off for 786.
Stay tuned – we’ve got more on Miami soon.
No. 18 – 832 | Houston, TX
In a shocking and baffling turn of events for our historical area code data, the great state of Texas brought only one area code to the nation’s Top 20 list.
Houston’s 832 area code landed at No. 18, overtaking Houston’s previously more popular 346 area code, which ranked 10th in 2024 and 12th in 2023.
Introduced in 1999 as Houston’s third area code, 832 covers all of the greater Houston metropolitan area, including multiple major counties and cities like Harris County and Pasadena, Texas.
Unlike many other major metropolitan areas, Houston never divided its area codes into specific geographic regions. Instead, it overlaid five area codes on top of one another to cover all of Houston and its surrounding communities and counties.
Why did 832 make the list, outranking these other historically more in-demand Houston area codes? The word on the street is that Houston exhausted most of its number supply across all four existing area codes and had to create its fifth overlay, area code 621, in 2025.
As we’ve observed in our previous area code studies, when a new overlay or area code emerges on the horizon, demand commonly increases for existing area codes from years prior.
No. 17 – 909 | San Bernardino, CA
Keeping a solid footing within America’s top area codes of 2025, San Bernardino, CA’s 909 area code moved up slightly from No. 19 in 2024 to No. 17 in 2025 – though it didn’t land anywhere near its head-turning fourth-place ranking of 2023.
San Bernardino’s 909 covers a lot of territory beyond San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire. It also serves parts of Los Angeles and Riverside counties. A few communities include:
- San Bernardino County: Big Bear, Chino, Colton, Upland, Fontana, Lake Arrowhead, Loma Linda, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino and Yucaipa
- Los Angeles County: Claremont, Diamond Bar, Pomona, San Dimas, Walnut and West Covina
- Riverside County: Calimesa and Eastvale
Why did 909 generally decline in rank since 2023? As a major industrial and logistics hub, San Bernardino County faced uncertainty from tariffs and supply chain unpredictability in 2025. AmPac reported “a slowdown in logistics and manufacturing was countered by growth in housing, health care, and government employment, reflecting a region in transition, shifting from an economy centered on goods movement to one that is more diversified across services and housing.” The 909 and its communities weathered an economy that proved “uneven but resilient” in 2025.
No. 16 – 305 | Miami, FL
Welcome (back) to Miami, where the heat is on! Surpassing Miami’s 786 on our list, Miami-Dade County’s 305 area code sailed into No. 16 in 2025. One of the original 1947 U.S. area codes, 305 serves the same geographic area as Miami’s 786 and 645 area codes.
Like 786, 305 also experienced a descent from the historical ranks of top area codes since 2021 – but more of a “slow fade” than suddenly “jumping ship.” After placing third in 2021 and and fifth in 2022, it disappeared from the list entirely in 2023, returned at No. 14 in 2024 and arrived at No. 16 in 2025. Notably, Miami overlay 645 was introduced in 2023.
What keeps 305 alive on our list? 305 maintains its prestige and mystique as a cultural status symbol. Rappers like Pitbull and Drake frequently reference it, the Miami Heat offers 305-themed merch, and Miami devotes an entire “holiday” to it – “305 Day” features events, live music and more across the city every year (on March 5 (03/05) of course).
On the business and commerce side, major financial firms including Citadel, Blackstone and Millennium have established or expanded Miami operations, solidifying Miami’s place as a global finance hub.
And here’s an impressive fact: Miami International Airport’s economic impact reached a new record of $212 billion in 2025, directly and indirectly supporting 945,682 jobs across Florida. It’s the third-busiest cargo airport in the world and the eighth-busiest passenger airport in the U.S. – undoubtedly contributing to Miami’s economic and employment sectors.
No. 15 – 323 | Los Angeles, CA
Contributing to our Southern California cluster of top area codes and landing at No. 15: Los Angeles’ 323 area code. In 2025, 323 outranked Los Angeles’ popular 310 area code, which did not make the list. Interestingly, 323 made its debut as a top area code in 2023 at the exact same spot as it did in 2025 – No. 15. But 323 didn’t make the list at all in 2024. (We’re curious to see if this on-and-off relationship continues in 2026!)
Los Angeles area code 323 (and 213) serves:
- Downtown Los Angeles and surrounding cities and communities, including Alhambra, Bell, Bell Gardens, Beverly Hills, Commerce, parts of Compton, Cudahy, Glendale, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Koreatown, Lynwood, Maywood, Montebello, Monterey Park, parts of Pasadena, Rosemead, South Gate, Silver Lake, South Pasadena, Vernon and West Hollywood, as well as unincorporated portions of Los Angeles County
Like its non-committal relationship with our list, 323’s history is equally … complicated. Created as a split from 213 in 1998, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) eliminated the boundary between 213 and 323 in 2017, creating a 213/323 overlay area. Both received the overlay area code 738 in November 2024. We suspect the establishment of this new overlay triggered a spike in demand for both area codes.
And of course, 323 serves some of the most iconic neighborhoods in all of Los Angeles – Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Koreatown and more – hubs for music, film, art, food and the entertainment industry. LA’s 323 keeps its allure as a symbol of the city’s spirited culture.
No. 14 – 850 | Tallahassee, FL
Tallahassee, Florida’s 850 area code climbed to No. 14 in 2025, after making its first appearance on our list of top area codes in 2024 at No. 18.
Florida’s 850 actually covers far more than just Tallahassee. It covers the most geographic territory of any area code on our Top 20 list – the entire Florida Panhandle, including 19 counties from Pensacola to Tallahassee and all the way to Apalachicola.
Area code 850’s major communities include:
- Tallahassee, Pensacola, Panama City, Panama City Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Crestview and parts of Gainesville
Besides hosting Florida’s state capital, the “Emerald Coast” is home to distinctly different communities – from universities like Florida State and Florida A&M to military installations like Eglin Air Force Base and Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Pensacola was named one of the top 25 “Cities on the Rise” by LinkedIn. It also experienced a buyer’s market, with an oversupply of housing pushing inventory prices below the national average. And a major military shipbuilding project is on the horizon (Project Maeve – a $250 million, advanced ship‑manufacturing complex expected to bring 2,000 jobs over five years). Opportunity awaits from both an employment and housing perspective in Pensacola, possibly contributing to 850’s rise in demand in 2025.
No. 13 – 313 | Detroit, MI
Enter 313 at No. 13 – Detroit, Michigan, perhaps our biggest area code story on the list. We’ve only seen Detroit on our top area codes list one other time, when it landed at No. 7 in 2022. We’re happy to see you again, Detroit!
313 holds its heritage not only as Detroit’s original area code but as one of America’s original 1947 area codes. It covers:
- Detroit proper and its immediate surrounding communities
- Major communities of Hamtramck, Highland Park, parts of Dearborn and Grosse Pointe
Detroit’s revolutionary return
So what brought 313 roaring back into demand in 2025? A couple of noteworthy developments likely played a role. The most inspiring: Detroit’s population continued its third straight year of growth – reversing a notorious multi-decade decline, driven by boosts in infrastructure, employment and affordable housing. JPMorgan Chase announced its $2 billion investment in Detroit since 2014. Detroit is one of the only major U.S. cities to have experienced municipal bankruptcy (in 2013) and emerged on the other side with sustained economic and population growth – a turnaround that’s been called one of the most significant urban revivals in American history.
Simultaneously – and likely as a result of its epic recovery – Detroit introduced its very first overlay ever in late 2025 (unlike most major cities with multiple longstanding area codes and overlays). What we’re saying is that Detroit went nearly eight decades with only one area code: 313. Unlike most of the rest of the United States, it only introduced mandatory 10-digit dialing with the introduction of overlay 679 in November 2025.
As our previous national area code data has shown, when a new overlay launches, there’s generally a run on original or prior area codes before they deplete. And of course, the hugely iconic 313 earns an extra shoutout for its deep cultural association with Detroit’s Motown music legacy and the American auto industry.
No. 12 – 917 | New York, NY
Sit tight – this won’t be the first or the last time we’ll see a New York area code on the Top 20 list for 2025. However, it is the first time we’ve seen this specific one. New York City’s 917 area code made its grand entrance at No. 12 in 2025.
A unique claim to fame: introduced in 1992, 917 served as America’s very first overlay ever. But it didn’t start out as an overlay. Even more fascinating, 917 was the only area code ever created strictly for cell and pager numbers. The New York Telephone Co. initially created 917 to meet the newfound demand for mobile phones and pagers across this burgeoning business metropolis. The New York Public Service Commission and FCC ultimately disallowed area codes exclusively for mobile use, reclassifying 917 as the very first overlay instead.
New York’s increasingly popular “universal” 917 is the only NYC area code that covers all five boroughs:
- Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island
But why did 917 make an unexpected emergence as a top area code in 2025, amid so many other popular NYC area codes? We have plenty to say about business and employment demographics in NYC in 2025 – but we’ll get to those shortly.
The biggest reason, in our “humble opinion” and expertise, likely revolves around the establishment of a brand new NYC area code, 465, which launched in June 2026. As we know, when a new overlay appears, there’s commonly a rush for previous, more nostalgic or depleting area codes. Given 917’s unique history and scarcity, this area code makes a cultural statement, with vanity 917 numbers landing firmly in premium phone number territory.
No. 11 – 213 | Los Angeles, CA
Hopping back to the West Coast, we’re greeted by the acclaimed and ultra-iconic Los Angeles 213 area code, commemorated by countless musicians, artists, rappers, movies, celebrities and more. Snoop Dogg himself named his original hip-hop group “213” as a nod to their Long Beach roots.
For Los Angeles, 213 goes way back. All the way back. It’s an “OG” original 1947 area code – one of the first in the entire U.S. and also LA’s very first. 213 once covered all of Southern California before it was split into area code 714 in 1951 (Orange County) and 805 (Santa Barbara region) in 1957, leaving 213 to serve Los Angeles only.
Sharing the same geographic region as its overlay (323), area code 213 covers:
- Central and downtown Los Angeles, Koreatown, Chinatown, MacArthur Park and Westlake
- Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, Silver Lake and Eagle Rock
- Mid-City and Eastside: Hancock Park, Wilshire Center, Fairfax District, Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights and El Sereno
- South Los Angeles: South Central, Leimert Park, Baldwin Hills and West Adams
- Multiple surrounding incorporated cities including West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, South Pasadena and Glendale
Beyond 213’s vast cultural contributions, downtown Los Angeles’ adaptive reuse development boom has catalyzed a major urban residential conversion – converting former office buildings into residential housing and bringing thousands of new residents into central and downtown LA. Despite significant impact from the devastating January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires, LA’s 213 held its own, moving up from No. 12 in 2024 to No. 11 in 2025.
No. 10 – 601 | Jackson, MS
Coming in at No. 10 in the nation, another new entry: Jackson, Mississippi’s 601 area code. Like several other area codes on our list, 601 is also an original 1947 area code – and the first area code from the entire state of Mississippi to ever appear on our list.
The 601 area code covers a substantial area, including approximately 116 cities and 38 counties. A few highlights:
- The state capital (Jackson) and central Mississippi region
- Major communities of Madison, Clinton, Vicksburg, Hattiesburg, Meridian and Natchez
But why Jackson? A few noteworthy developments may have contributed to the sudden increase in demand for 601 numbers. Amazon is investing billions of dollars in the extensive development of multiple data centers in several 601 communities, including Madison and Clinton, MS. Amazon expects to create more than 2000 jobs with its total planned capital investment of $25 billion.
Additionally, Mississippi was projected to rank third in the nation for reshoring – the process of returning manufacturing and production jobs to the United States from overseas. This includes both domestic reshoring, in which U.S.-based companies move operations back stateside, and foreign direct investment, where international companies establish or expand manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
Mississippi’s 601 is clearly on the rise for job growth and employment opportunity.
No. 9 – 773 | Chicago, IL
Now back to the central United States, Chicago’s 773 area code landed at No. 9, becoming one of six brand-new entrants on our top area code list in 2025. With Chicagoland’s 708 debuting at No. 20, it only makes sense that 773 would join the ranks as well.
Created in 1996 to relieve exhaustion of Chicago’s original 312 area code after the mobile and pager boom of the mid-90s, 773 was originally created as a geographic split, covering:
- Everything outside “the Loop” (Chicago’s central business district) and immediate downtown areas
- Major neighborhoods of Wicker Park, Pilsen, Logan Square, Hyde Park, Bridgeport, Rogers Park, Bronzeville, Lincoln Square, Uptown, Andersonville and Beverly
773 now has its own overlay (872) and covers a large swath of Chicago’s independent business culture, with restaurants, music venues, creative agencies and art scene all concentrated in communities under the 773 umbrella. A 773 phone number makes a different – perhaps more edgy and eclectic – statement than a classic, prestigious, Chicago “Loop” 312.
So what else happened in Chicago in 2025? Besides Chicagoland’s growth that we previously discussed, Chicago itself grew for the third consecutive year in 2025, with Cook County remaining the second most populous county in the U.S. And the long-anticipated Barack Obama Presidential Center opened in Hyde Park, establishing not just a historical landmark but a cultural, economic and community complex complete with a museum, public library, dining, basketball court, forum and park.
No. 8 – 347 | New York, NY
Buckle up because we’re just getting started on our New York marathon. (Ok, not that marathon.) Entering the race at No. 8: New York City’s area code 347. Since its debut on our list in 2023, 347 has remained a solid contender in the top ten, ranking No. 9 in 2023 and No. 7 in 2024.
Created in 1999 as an overlay for the outer boroughs’ 718 area code, 347 today covers:
- Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Manhattan’s Marble Hill neighborhood
347 is part of the NYC borough complex alongside area codes 718, 929 and 917 all covering the above boroughs. And if those four area codes weren’t enough – well, as it turns out, they aren’t! NYC’s burgeoning population necessitated another overlay – the borough complex received overlay 465 in June 2026. With the establishment of a new area code, its a mad-grab for 347 digits!
A few observations about 347 and its overlay counterparts: While NYC lost about 12,000 residents in 2025 and Brooklyn lost about 5,000, Brooklyn still held its own as the most populous NYC borough. As we’re about to see, New York appears to have experienced a substantial migration out of the boroughs and into “the burbs” (suburban areas).
No. 7 – 631 | Brentwood, NY (Long Island / Suffolk County)
Making a dramatic debut at No. 7 on our Top 20 list: Brentwood, New York’s 631 area code. Created in 1999 as a split from area code 516 and sharing ground with overlay 934, 631 remains the more popular of the two.
The 631 area code covers:
- Suffolk County, Long Island – the eastern half of Long Island beyond Nassau County
- Major communities of Brentwood, Bay Shore, Islip, Patchogue, Ronkonkoma, Huntington, Commack, Smithtown and Riverhead
With the outflow of NYC residents in 2025 and Long Island’s geographic proximity to the city, between remote/hybrid work options and a more attractive cost of living in Suffolk County, demand for 631 numbers likely got a boost on multiple fronts.
Suffolk County’s slightly lower cost of living and suburban flavor attracted families priced out of NYC and Nassau County. Long Island’s biotech, engineering, education and defense sectors – anchored by institutions like Stony Brook University, the New York Institute of Technology and Brookhaven National Laboratory – drove out-migration from NYC and stable demand for local Long Island phone numbers. Consequently, Suffolk County’s population grew to approximately 1.53 million in 2025.
Don’t worry – we’ve got more New York coming up soon.
No. 6 – 407 | Orlando, FL
For now, we’ll take a little vacay from the Northeast and head south to sunshine and recreation haven – Orlando, Florida. With perhaps the most conspicuous first-time appearance in our top area codes data, Orlando’s 407 area code made a big splash, cannonballing to No. 6 in the nation.
Splitting from Florida’s original statewide 305 area code in 1988, 407 initially covered a huge swath of territory from Deltona to Boca Raton. By 1996, Palm Beach County and southward separated into area code 561, with two additional overlays (321 and 689) covering the 407 region in the following 20 years. Today, Orlando’s 407 (and overlays) cover:
- Central Florida – Orlando metro and surrounding region
- Major communities of Orlando, Kissimmee, Sanford, Apopka, Altamonte Springs, Winter Park, Ocoee and Lake Buena Vista
While Orlando’s 689 appeared on our list at No. 6 in 2023, 407’s iconic, hard-to-get vintage status made it extra popular in 2025.
So what about Orlando? In 2025, you could say Orlando became the “or-land-of” opportunity. It led all of Florida for job growth and ranked second in the nation for tech jobs. In 2024, Orlando received the distinction of “triple crown” status – leading the nation in job, population, and GDP growth simultaneously – which likely helped steer demand for 407 phone numbers in 2025.
And of course, we can’t overlook Orlando’s enduring appeal as a destination for theme parks, hospitality, tourism, retirement and education. Home to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld and Legoland, it tracks that Orlando International Airport remains one of the busiest in the U.S. There’s not much mystery as to why 407 made the top 10 of our top 20 area codes in the nation.
No. 5 – 516 | Hempstead, NY (Long Island / Nassau County)
And we’re back! We just can’t seem to get enough of New York and a few of its famous islands. Descending slightly since its debut at No. 4 last year: Hempstead, New York’s area code 516.
With cooling demand after the 363 overlay rush of 2023, 516 has moved to a more sustained pace. The 516 area code covers:
- Nassau County, Long Island – the western half of Long Island directly adjacent to NYC
- Major communities of Hempstead, Freeport, Levittown, Garden City, Long Beach, Great Neck, Mineola, Uniondale and Valley Stream
Known as “America’s largest township” in its own words – Hempstead has a population larger than six U.S. states. Nassau County continued to absorb NYC out-migration throughout 2025. As noted earlier with Brentwood’s 631, Long Island offers a wealth of opportunities in biotech, medicine, engineering and education, with the added benefit of even closer proximity to Manhattan and the outer boroughs.
No. 4 – 929 | New York, NY (Outer Boroughs)
No. 4 – 929 | New York, NY (Outer Boroughs)
Speaking of the outer boroughs, we’ll hop on the LIRR and venture back into the city, as NYC’s 929 slides out of its traditional top-three ranking for the first time since we began our top area codes study in 2021. After four years of climbing – reaching No. 1 in America last year – 929 dropped to No. 4 in the nation in 2025.
Like its overlay counterparts (718 and 347), NYC’s 929 area code also covers:
- Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Manhattan’s Marble Hill neighborhood
What else can we say about 929 and the NYC borough complex in 2025? NYC employment and labor force participation hit all-time highs in 2025, with tax revenues at record levels and improvements in unemployment rates. Queens continues to hold the title of one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the world. However, the number of international immigrants arriving in NYC dropped by 70% in 2025. Despite these major demographic shifts, 929 only moved slightly in popularity, remaining the go-to code for new businesses, immigrants and entrepreneurs in the outer boroughs.
And of course, the addition of overlay 465 also likely drove continued demand for 929.
No. 3 – 212 | New York, NY (Manhattan)
And finally we reach the highest-ranking New York area code of 2025, NYC’s perpetually in-demand 212 area code. It has had a volatile history on our list since 2021, but has always ranked in the nation’s top 10. This time, 212 made a sizeable leap, rebounding from No. 9 in 2024 and catapulting all the way to No. 3 in 2025.
Created in 1947 as an original area code, 212 initially covered all of New York City, including the outer boroughs. It was eventually restricted to just Manhattan and the Bronx. Today, after many splits and overlays, it covers Manhattan almost exclusively.
212 is arguably the most iconic, culturally recognized area code in the U.S., referenced throughout entertainment, music, literature and business. And since they have long since depleted, 212 numbers are no longer “randomly assigned” – they’re generally only available through a broker or marketplace. Because of their scarcity, popularity and cultural status, 212 numbers can sell for thousands of dollars. (Though if you’re lucky, you might find one for less than $100 at NumberBarn.)
A few notable things about 212, Manhattan and NYC in 2025: Manhattan’s median rent skyrocketed by nearly 9% to the second-highest point on record in December of 2025 (and, spoiler – midway through 2026, it’s now the highest on record.) Return-to-office mandates also made a huge impact on Manhattan commercial real estate, returning occupancy and lease activity to nearly pre-COVID levels by mid-2025. And in a significant political shift, NYC voters selected Democratic Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani as mayor, reflecting potential changes ahead for the city’s business and economic climate.
No. 2 – 949 | Irvine, CA
We’ll wave goodbye to the East Coast and follow the allure of palm trees and the Pacific back to Southern California – specifically “the OC” (Orange County). Irvine, CA’s 949 area code somehow overtook NYC’s legendary 212, claiming No. 2 on the nation’s top area codes in 2025. 949 also made the top six area codes in every year of our studies (except 2022, when it didn’t make the top 20 at all).
The only area code on our list with no overlays or splits (or imminent overlays) 949 covers more than just the city of Irvine, including:
- South Orange County and a small portion of north San Diego County (which, surprising to most San Diegans, includes parts of Camp Pendleton and San Onofre)
- Major communities of Irvine, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano
But why is 949 the second-hottest area code of 2025? Irvine is home to one of the highest-ranking public universities in the nation, UC Irvine. The city also hosts corporate or regional headquarters and manufacturing facilities for multiple automakers, including Rivian, Kia, Mazda, Hyundai and Ford. Perhaps correlating with its nationally ranking park system, Irvine was also No.11 for WalletHub’s Healthiest Cities in America and No.4 for WalletHub’s Best Places to Raise a Family in 2025.
And Irvine isn’t stopping there. The City and Greater Irvine Chamber released a roadmap to creating 21,000 jobs and more than $125 million in new municipal revenue by 2030. 949’s Irvine continues to demonstrate how momentum and innovation paired with investment in health and safety create long-term wins for a city and region.
No. 1 – 626 | Pasadena, CA
“And the winner is!” Taking first place in the nation’s top area codes – Pasadena, CA’s 626! Scooting a couple of hours north of Irvine (or inching, depending on LA traffic) we return to the illustrious 626, which has anchored itself in the nation’s top five area codes for five years in a row.
Established in 1997 as a split from LA’s 818 area code, 626 serves the geographic area just east of the city of Los Angeles, at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains.
The 626 area code covers:
- Pasadena and the entire San Gabriel Valley in eastern Los Angeles County
- Major communities of Alhambra, El Monte, Rosemead, San Gabriel, Arcadia, Monrovia, Temple City, Covina, City of Industry, West Covina, Baldwin Park, Azusa, Glendora, San Dimas and parts of Pomona
Pasadena’s winning recipe
So what’s Pasadena’s secret sauce for staying in the top five and attaining the title of the nation’s top area code in 2025? The San Gabriel Valley has no shortage of attributes keeping 626 in demand: the Tournament of Roses (Rose Bowl and Rose Parade), NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, charming historic neighborhoods, and corporate headquarters for some big names like Tetra Tech, Newegg, Caltech and Trader Joe’s.
Economically, the San Gabriel Valley experienced a relative plateau in 2025. This slowdown also coincided with the devastating Eaton Fire, which destroyed or damaged a staggering nearly 10,000 homes and buildings.
Given these developments, what factors helped sustain demand for 626 phone numbers? Likely two things. First, large-scale disasters bring large-scale recovery efforts – new contractors, suppliers, engineers, architects and professional services firms all need local phone numbers. Second, while 626 currently has no overlays or splits, NANPA filed a request in February 2025 for a new overlay, projecting that 626 numbers could exhaust by 2027. With this distinguished area code soon depleting, businesses may scramble to snag 626 numbers while they still can.
| Area Code | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Movement |
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Summary
What patterns emerged consistently in our top area codes of 2025 study? Here’s a recap:
The overlay rush. The following area codes all have had overlays introduced in the last three years (since 2023) or have new overlays coming soon: 929 / 347 / 917 (NYC Boroughs); 313 (Detroit); 213 / 323 (Los Angeles); 786 / 305 (Miami); 516 (Hempstead). All reflect the pattern we’ve observed across multiple years of data: when a new overlay emerges, buyers rush to claim original area codes before they’re gone.
Business opportunity and migration can influence demand. Beyond the overlay rush, unsurprisingly, regions with a sizable and stable corporate presence, economic opportunities, and lower cost of living influence migration patterns and area code demand.
Cultural identity and local pride still matter. 212’s NY status symbol, Miami’s 305 merch, Snoop Dogg’s LA 213 etc. reinforce that many area codes function more like local and regional brand badges more than mere phone routing numbers.
Methodology
All rankings are based on NumberBarn telephone sales numbers between Jan 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025.
