Area Code 207
Maine
Area code 207 serves Maine, primarily Portland, in the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It has served the region since 01-Jan-1947.
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 1,390,901
- Population Density
- 42 people/sq mibelow U.S. average (U.S.: 93 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $68,441near U.S. median (U.S.: $75,144)
- Poverty Rate
- 10.9%near U.S. average (U.S.: 11.5%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 4.0%above U.S. average (U.S.: 3.6%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+35.1%near U.S. average (U.S.: 33.7%)High School or Lower32.5%
Statistics are population-weighted aggregations from Census ACS 5-year estimates. Population figures are approximate — see Sources & Methodology for details on how area code populations are derived.
See how this area code compares to all US area codes in the income ranking and density ranking.
Time Zone
- Eastern Time (ET)
NANPA Relief Status
According to the latest NANPA analysis (July 2026), this area code is not currently listed as exhausting within the next 36 months. No relief planning is in progress for this NPA.
Source: NANPA NPA Relief Planning Reports · See all relief planning statuses
Current Time
Prefix Utilization
Geographic Coverage
State
ME
Major Cities
- Portland
- Lewiston
- Bangor
- South Portland
- Auburn
- Biddeford
- Sanford
- Saco
- Westbrook
- Augusta
- Brunswick
- Waterville
- Orono
- Brewer
- Old Orchard Beach
- Bath
- Presque Isle
- Ellsworth
- Caribou
- Gorham
- Rockland
- Belfast
- Topsham
- Skowhegan
and 131 more cities
Historical Timeline of Area Code 207
Area code 207 was created on January 1, 1947, as one of the original 86 North American Numbering Plan area codes assigned by AT&T. It has never been split or overlaid, making it one of the longest-surviving original NANP codes with unchanged geographic boundaries. Maine's congressional delegation called it a "cultural touchstone" in 2021, and conservation efforts between 2018 and 2025 extended the code's projected lifespan from 2019 to 2050, a 31-year gain. Source: Wikipedia
- January 1, 1947: Area code 207 is established as one of the original 86 NANP codes, assigned to the entire state of Maine. It remains Maine's sole area code. Source: Wikipedia
- 2018: The Maine Public Utilities Commission begins monitoring the projected exhaustion date for area code 207. Early projections indicated the code could run out of available numbers within a decade. Source: MPUC 2023 Annual Report
- 2020: MPUC opens preservation inquiry under Docket 2020-00026, initially projecting exhaustion in Q4 2024. The commission orders carriers to return eligible thousands-blocks to the available number pool. Source: MPUC Docket 2020-00026
- 2021: Verizon Wireless numbering practices investigation opened. All four members of Maine's congressional delegation write to the FCC calling area code 207 a "cultural touchstone" and urging federal action to preserve it. Exhaust projection extended to end of 2025. Source: Press Herald
- 2022: The FCC seeks public comment on waiving Section 52.13 for area codes 207 and 701 (DA-22-130). T-Mobile numbering practices investigation opened by MPUC. Exhaust projection extended through Q4 2029. Source: FCC DA-22-130
- 2023: Rate center consolidation investigation opened (Docket 2023-00009). LD 396 enacted (PL 2023 ch. 144), requiring Internet-based VoIP providers to register with the state and reducing robocalling. Exhaust projection extended to Q4 2032. Source: MPUC Numbering Rules
- 2024: MPUC approves consolidation of 135 Consolidated Communications rate centers into one, the largest such consolidation in the United States. This freed hundreds of thousands of previously locked numbers, including 336,000 in the Bangor area alone. Exhaust projection extended to Q4 2033. Source: MPUC 2024 Annual Report
- 2025: NANPA projects that conservation efforts will extend the 207 area code's lifespan to approximately 2050. Source: Bangor Daily News
The conservation campaign behind area code 207 is notable for its convergence of state and federal regulatory action. Over five years, MPUC, the FCC, and the Maine legislature worked in parallel to address what initially appeared to be an imminent exhaustion crisis. The result transformed a code projected to last only until 2019 into one projected to last until 2050.
Regulatory History
Area code 207 has been the subject of seven regulatory proceedings since 2020, spanning the Maine Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Communications Commission. The convergence of state and federal action is unusual: MPUC investigated carrier numbering practices, consolidated rate centers, and enacted legislation while simultaneously the FCC explored federal relief through Section 52.13 waivers. Source: MPUC Numbering Rules
| Year | Event | Docket | Regulatory Action & Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | MPUC preservation inquiry | 2020-00026 | MPUC opened a formal inquiry into the preservation of the 207 area code, initially projecting exhaustion in Q4 2024. The commission ordered carriers to return eligible thousands-blocks to the available number pool. Source: MPUC Docket 2020-00026 |
| 2020 | Carrier numbering compliance | 2020-00192 | MPUC opened a separate investigation into carrier numbering practices and compliance with state allocation rules. This docket examined how 1,000-block assignments were being managed by telecommunications providers operating in Maine. Source: MPUC Numbering Rules |
| 2021 | Verizon Wireless investigation | 2021-00212 | MPUC opened an investigation into Verizon Wireless's numbering practices, examining whether the carrier was holding unused blocks of Maine numbers. Maine's congressional delegation simultaneously wrote to the FCC urging federal action. Source: Press Herald |
| 2022 | FCC Section 52.13 waiver inquiry | DA-22-130 | The FCC sought public comment on whether to waive Section 52.13 of the Code of Federal Regulations for area codes 207 and 701. This federal action was unusual and reflected the urgency of the conservation effort. Source: FCC DA-22-130 |
| 2022 | T-Mobile investigation | 2022-00212 | MPUC opened an investigation into T-Mobile's numbering practices, similar to the earlier Verizon investigation, examining whether the carrier was efficiently utilizing assigned number blocks in Maine. Source: MPUC Numbering Rules |
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 207).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland, ME | 303,838 | 21.8% |
| York, ME | 212,761 | 15.3% |
| Penobscot, ME | 156,629 | 11.3% |
| Kennebec, ME | 127,542 | 9.2% |
| Androscoggin, ME | 112,323 | 8.1% |
| Aroostook, ME | 68,812 | 4.9% |
| Oxford, ME | 62,389 | 4.5% |
| Somerset, ME | 54,840 | 3.9% |
| Hancock, ME | 54,359 | 3.9% |
| Waldo, ME | 40,036 | 2.9% |
| Knox, ME | 39,649 | 2.9% |
| Sagadahoc, ME | 37,093 | 2.7% |
| Lincoln, ME | 34,152 | 2.5% |
| Franklin, ME | 32,469 | 2.3% |
| Washington, ME | 29,032 | 2.1% |
| Piscataquis, ME | 24,570 | 1.8% |
| Coos, NH | 407 | 0.0% |
Area Code 207 Family Tree
Area code 207 is an original area code with no splits or overlays. It has been in service since 01-Jan-1947.
Call Context
This area code spans a mix of urban centers and rural communities across ME, with Portland as a primary city.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 207.
