Area Code 262
Wisconsin
Area code 262 serves Wisconsin, primarily Kenosha, in the Central Time (CT) time zone. It was created from a split of area code 414.
Split Area Code
This area code was created by splitting an existing area code into separate geographic regions. When a split occurs, some customers in the original area code region are assigned the new area code.
This area code was split from area code 414 (Milwaukee).
In service since: 25-Sep-1999
Historical Timeline of Area Code 262
Area code 262 was created on September 25, 1999, when the Wisconsin Public Service Commission voted 2-1 to split area code 414 into two geographic regions. The new code serves six counties in southeastern Wisconsin outside Milwaukee County, covering parts of both the Milwaukee and Chicago metropolitan areas. Source: Journal Times
Key milestones:
- 1947: Area code 414 created as one of the original 86 NANP area codes, serving most of southern and eastern Wisconsin. Source: Wikipedia
- 1955: Area code 608 split from 414 to serve southwestern Wisconsin, including Madison and La Crosse. Source: Wikipedia
- July 26, 1997: Area code 920 split from 414 to serve Green Bay and the Fox River Valley. Permissive dialing ended October 25, 1997. Source: NANPA Planning Letters
- 1998: NANPA assigned area code 262 as relief for 414. The initial proposal was an overlay, but it met resistance due to the ten-digit dialing requirement. Source: Grokipedia
- September 25, 1999: Wisconsin PSC voted 2-1 to approve a geographic split rather than an overlay. The split took effect on this date, making 262 the 266th area code introduced in the NANP. Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- March 4, 2000: Permissive dialing ended. Callers were required to use 10-digit dialing for calls crossing the 262/414 boundary. Source: Journal Times
- October 24, 2021: Mandatory 10-digit dialing required for all local calls due to the FCC designation of 988 as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline code (FCC Order 20-100).
The 414/262 split was part of a broader pattern of area code relief in Wisconsin. The 920 area code had split from 414 just two years earlier, and the state later implemented overlays for the 715 and 920 regions. Area code 262's current exhaust forecast extends to 2036. Source: Wisconsin PSC
Unique Facts About Area Code 262
Area code 262 has several characteristics tied to its origin as a geographic split from 414 and its coverage of southeastern Wisconsin. Source: Wikidata
- Overlay rejected for geographic split: The initial proposal for 414 relief was an overlay, which would have required ten-digit dialing from the start. The Wisconsin PSC rejected this approach due to public resistance, voting 2-1 in favor of a geographic split instead. Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Two metropolitan areas: Area code 262 spans two separate metropolitan regions. Kenosha County is part of the Chicago metropolitan area, while Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha counties are part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Source: Wikipedia
- Five-month grace period: After the split took effect on September 25, 1999, callers had until March 4, 2000 to complete calls using either the 414 or 262 prefix. Source: Journal Times
- Split boundary overlap: Slivers of Waukesha and Washington counties remain in area code 414 despite being geographically within the 262 service area, a remnant of the split boundary. Source: Wikipedia
- FCC delegation: The FCC granted Wisconsin PSC additional number conservation authority through the Wisconsin Delegation Order (15 FCC Rcd 1299), supporting the state's authority to implement the 414/262 split. Source: FCC Order DA 00-1616
Area code 262's density of approximately 350 people per square mile reflects the suburban character of southeastern Wisconsin's six-county region, significantly above the state average of roughly 109 people per square mile. Source: Wisconsin PSC
FCC Regulatory History
Area code 262 has been shaped by three primary regulatory actions spanning over two decades. The FCC's Wisconsin Delegation Order authorized the state's authority to implement the split, while a subsequent order reinforced that framework. A 2020 FCC order later required mandatory 10-digit dialing for all local calls. Source: FCC Order DA 00-1616
| Year | Event | Docket | Regulatory Action & Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Wisconsin Delegation Order | CC Docket No. 96-98; DA 99-2637 | FCC granted Wisconsin PSC additional authority to implement number conservation measures (15 FCC Rcd 1299), supporting the 414/262 geographic split under 47 C.F.R. § 52.19. Source: FCC Order DA 00-1616 |
| 1999 | 414/262 Split Approved | Wisconsin PSC | PSC voted 2-1 to approve geographic split of 414, creating 262 effective September 25, 1999. Overlay was rejected in favor of geographic separation. Source: Wisconsin PSC |
| 2000 | Reinforced PSC Authority | FCC Order DA 00-1616 | References Wisconsin Delegation Order, confirming PSC authority for area code relief including the 414/262 split. Source: FCC Order DA 00-1616 |
| 2020 | Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing | FCC Order 20-100 | Designated 988 as 3-digit dialing code for National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Required transition to 10-digit dialing for all 262 local calls effective October 24, 2021. |
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 262).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Waukesha, WI | 411,954 | 25.5% |
| Kenosha, WI | 246,839 | 15.3% |
| Racine, WI | 236,545 | 14.7% |
| Washington, WI | 219,184 | 13.6% |
| Walworth, WI | 161,863 | 10.0% |
| Ozaukee, WI | 142,530 | 8.8% |
| Jefferson, WI | 78,016 | 4.8% |
| Dodge, WI | 64,611 | 4.0% |
| Rock, WI | 24,852 | 1.5% |
| Sheboygan, WI | 12,644 | 0.8% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | 8,223 | 0.5% |
| Milwaukee, WI | 7,093 | 0.4% |
Call Context
This area code covers multiple cities and communities across a broad region in Wisconsin. It was created as a geographic split from area code 414, dividing the original territory into separate numbering regions.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 262.
Other Area Codes in Wisconsin
Area codes that also serve Wisconsin, linked for easy comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about area code 262 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.
Area codes are sometimes "split" when an existing code runs out of available number combinations. In a split, the original territory is divided geographically, with each portion receiving its own area code. This area code was split from area code 414. See our guide on splits and overlays for details.
While Rochester 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 262 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.