Area Code 220
Ohio
Area code 220 serves Ohio, primarily Newark, in the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It is an overlay area code sharing territory with area code 740.
Overlay Area Code
This area code is part of an overlay region, meaning the same geographic area is served by multiple area codes. Overlay codes were introduced to meet growing demand for phone numbers without requiring existing customers to change their numbers.
This area code shares its geographic region with: area code 740 (Newark).
In service since: 22-Apr-2015
Historical Timeline of Area Code 220
Area code 220 was activated on April 22, 2015, as an all-services overlay on area code 740. It traces its lineage to area code 614, one of the original 86 area codes assigned in 1947, which was split in 1997 to create 740 for southeastern and central Ohio. After number exhaustion projections showed 740 would run out, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved the 220 overlay in December 2013, with mandatory 10-digit dialing taking effect March 21, 2015. Source: Wikipedia
Key milestones:
- 1947: AT&T Bell System assigns 614 to central and southeastern Ohio as one of the original 86 area codes (Source: Wikipedia)
- 1997: 740 created by geographic split of 614. The 614 retained the Columbus metro; 740 took southeastern and central Ohio. Source: NANPA PL-088
- 2013: PUCO approved overlay of 220 onto 740 in Case 13-0700-TP-COI, choosing overlay over geographic split after over 900 public comments favored the overlay option. Source: PUCO Press Release
- 2015: Mandatory 10-digit dialing required across the 740/220 numbering plan area on March 21. Area code 220 went into service on April 22, becoming the 383rd area code in the North American Numbering Plan. Source: PUCO Press Release
- 2025: NANPA 2025-2 NPA Exhaust Projections placed the combined 220/740 complex exhaust date at Q3 2055 (Source: NANPA cross-reference)
The 614 to 740 split followed a broader pattern of Ohio area code relief. When 740 itself approached exhaustion, PUCO determined that an overlay rather than another geographic split was the most equitable approach.
Unique Facts About Area Code 220
Area code 220 holds several notable distinctions within the 740/220 numbering plan area and the broader North American Numbering Plan. Source: Ohio Consumers' Counsel
- Lowest-numbered NANP code without 0 or 1 in the middle: Area code 220 is the lowest-numbered area code in the North American Numbering Plan that does not contain a 0 or 1 in the middle digit position. Source: Wikipedia
- Machine-to-machine communications drove exhaustion: A major factor in the 740 area code's number exhaustion was the increase in machine-to-machine communications by gasoline pumps, vending machines, and other devices. Gas pumps in Delaware County alone increased 33% to 1,252 between 2007 and 2012. Source: Columbus Dispatch
- Over 900 public comments, approximately 70% favored overlay: During the PUCO public comment period, over 900 customer responses were filed with approximately 70% in favor of the overlay option rather than a geographic split. PUCO Chairman Todd A. Snitchler called the overlay "more appropriate and equitable" and "least disruptive and fair." Source: PUCO Press Release
- Projected exhaust in Q3 2055: NANPA's 2025-2 NPA Exhaust Projections place the combined 220/740 numbering plan area exhaust date at Q3 2055, approximately 40 years after the overlay went into service (Source: NANPA cross-reference)
- Consistent with Ohio's past four area code relief orders: The overlay approach was consistent with the previous four PUCO orders in Ohio area code relief cases, reflecting the state's established policy preference for overlays over geographic splits. Source: PUCO Press Release
The 740/220 overlay is one of 15 active Ohio area code overlay complexes managed jointly by NANPA and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
FCC Regulatory History
The 740/220 area code complex has been shaped by multiple regulatory actions over nearly two decades. NANPA Planning Letter PL-088 authorized the 614 split creating 740 in 1997. In 2013, PUCO Case 13-0700-TP-COI approved the 220 overlay after an industry consensus petition and public comment process. Mandatory 10-digit dialing took effect March 21, 2015, with new 220 numbers assigned starting April 22, 2015. Source: PUCO Press Release
| Year | Event | Docket | Regulatory Action & Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | NPA split | NANPA PL-088 | Geographic split of 614 NPA creating 740 NPA for southeastern/central Ohio (NANPA PL-088) |
| 2013 | Consensus petition filed | PUCO 13-0700-TP-COI | Telecommunications industry filed consensus petition recommending overlay plan (PUCO Press Release) |
| 2013 | Public comment period | PUCO 13-0700-TP-COI | Three-week public comment period opened; 900+ responses filed with approximately 70% favoring overlay (PUCO Press Release) |
| 2013 | Overlay approved | PUCO 13-0700-TP-COI | PUCO approved overlay of 220 onto 740 as "least disruptive and fair," consistent with past four Ohio area code relief orders (PUCO Press Release) |
| 2014 | Permissive dialing | PUCO 13-0700-TP-COI | Permissive 10-digit dialing period began across the 740 area code region on September 20 (PUCO Press Release) |
| 2015 | Mandatory dialing | PUCO 13-0700-TP-COI | Mandatory 10-digit dialing required across the 740/220 numbering plan area on March 21 (PUCO Press Release) |
| 2015 | 220 goes into service | NANPA Assignment | Area code 220 activated as all-services overlay on 740, becoming the 383rd area code in the NANP (Wikipedia) |
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 220).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Licking, OH | 223,489 | 8.0% |
| Delaware, OH | 213,663 | 7.6% |
| Fairfield, OH | 175,503 | 6.2% |
| Muskingum, OH | 137,094 | 4.9% |
| Union, OH | 128,945 | 4.6% |
| Ross, OH | 119,329 | 4.2% |
| Scioto, OH | 115,653 | 4.1% |
| Hocking, OH | 109,621 | 3.9% |
| Jackson, OH | 100,860 | 3.6% |
| Pike, OH | 98,674 | 3.5% |
| Belmont, OH | 76,842 | 2.7% |
| Lawrence, OH | 75,022 | 2.7% |
| Perry, OH | 74,027 | 2.6% |
| Knox, OH | 73,703 | 2.6% |
| Marion, OH | 71,670 | 2.6% |
| Athens, OH | 71,463 | 2.5% |
| Jefferson, OH | 69,805 | 2.5% |
| Franklin, OH | 69,446 | 2.5% |
| Washington, OH | 68,723 | 2.4% |
| Pickaway, OH | 65,154 | 2.3% |
| Guernsey, OH | 65,154 | 2.3% |
| Crawford, OH | 56,758 | 2.0% |
| Vinton, OH | 55,495 | 2.0% |
| Coshocton, OH | 55,186 | 2.0% |
| Harrison, OH | 52,543 | 1.9% |
| Morrow, OH | 51,131 | 1.8% |
| Gallia, OH | 42,443 | 1.5% |
| Morgan, OH | 37,966 | 1.4% |
| Tuscarawas, OH | 36,816 | 1.3% |
| Meigs, OH | 35,642 | 1.3% |
| Fayette, OH | 33,439 | 1.2% |
| Madison, OH | 30,518 | 1.1% |
| Noble, OH | 26,959 | 1.0% |
| Clark, OH | 24,162 | 0.9% |
| Monroe, OH | 22,405 | 0.8% |
| Carroll, OH | 13,612 | 0.5% |
| Richland, OH | 9,517 | 0.3% |
| Wyandot, OH | 5,118 | 0.2% |
| Highland, OH | 4,626 | 0.2% |
| Ashland, OH | 4,185 | 0.1% |
| Adams, OH | 3,692 | 0.1% |
| Hardin, OH | 1,762 | 0.1% |
| Columbiana, OH | 1,147 | 0.0% |
Call Context
This area code serves the same geographic region as area code 740 in Ohio. It was introduced as an overlay of area code 740, meaning both codes serve the same geographic territory.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 220.
Other Area Codes in Ohio
Area codes that also serve Ohio, linked for easy comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about area code 220 and how phone numbering works.
Phone numbers are assigned based on where the number was originally provisioned, not the caller's current location. Mobile phones retain their number when users move, and businesses may use numbers from regions where they don't have a physical presence. VoIP services can also provision numbers from virtually any area code.
Yes, mobile phones can have numbers from any area code in the region they were activated. Wireless carriers assign numbers from available pools regardless of phone type. When users change carriers or move to new areas, they typically keep their original number, which may have a different area code than their current location.
Start by looking up the area code on this site to understand its general geographic region. For the specific number, options include using your carrier's caller ID features or checking public directories. If you suspect fraud, you can report it to the FTC. To file a complaint about robocalls or spoofed numbers, visit the FCC Consumer Complaint Center. You can also register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unwanted calls. Keep in mind that caller ID can display any name the caller chooses to set.
When an area's pool of available phone numbers runs low, regulators may introduce an "overlay" area code that covers the same geographic territory as the original. Both codes coexist, and new numbers are assigned from whichever code has availability. This area code shares its region with area code 740, area code 740. Learn more in our overlay vs split guide.
While Jacksonville is a prominent city in this area code's coverage, the code serves the broader surrounding region as well. Area codes are assigned geographically and typically cover multiple cities, towns, and communities beyond any single anchor city.
The estimated total population served by area code 220 is based on aggregated U.S. Census Bureau data for the counties within this area code. The population varies significantly between dense urban codes serving millions and rural codes covering smaller populations. You can find the specific population figure in the demographics section above.