Area Code 270

Kentucky

Area code 270 serves Kentucky, primarily Bowling Green, in the Central Time (CT) time zone. It has served the region since 19-Apr-1999.

Published: Updated:

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 364 (Bowling Green).

In service since: 19-Apr-1999

Learn more about overlay and split area codes →

Demographics & Economics

Total Population
2,328,346
Population Density
59 people/sq mi
below U.S. average (U.S.: 93 people/sq mi)
Median Household Income
$57,610
below U.S. median (U.S.: $75,144)
Poverty Rate
17.1%
above U.S. average (U.S.: 11.5%)
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
above U.S. average (U.S.: 3.6%)
Education Attainment
Bachelor's Degree+
19.0%
below U.S. average (U.S.: 33.7%)
High School or Lower
43.7%

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 Statistics dashboard.

Time Zones

  • Central Time (CT)
  • 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

Central Time (CT)
 
 
Eastern Time (ET)
 
 

This area code spans multiple time zones.

Prefix Utilization

Geographic Coverage

State

KY

Major Cities

  • Bowling Green
  • Owensboro
  • Elizabethtown
  • Hopkinsville
  • Henderson
  • Paducah
  • Radcliff
  • Madisonville
  • Murray
  • Glasgow
  • Campbellsville
  • Fort Campbell North
  • Franklin
  • Mayfield
  • Fort Knox
  • Oak Grove
  • Russellville
  • Vine Grove
  • Leitchfield
  • Lebanon
  • Princeton
  • Massac
  • Reidland
  • Columbia

and 171 more cities

Area Code 270 geographic coverage map (light mode)

Historical Timeline of Area Code 270

Area code 270 was created on April 19, 1999, via a geographic split from Kentucky's original 502 NPA to serve western and south-central Kentucky. The code has undergone a 13-year relief journey from NANPA's first petition in July 2001 to the activation of overlay code 364 in March 2014. Source: Wikipedia

Key milestones:

  • 1947: Kentucky assigned area code 502 as one of the original 86 North American area codes. Area code 606 split from 502 in 1954, assigning eastern Kentucky its own code. (Wikipedia)
  • 1998: Kentucky PSC (Administrative Case No. 373) ordered a geographic split of the 502 NPA after public hearings showed overwhelming opposition to 10-digit dialing. The PSC initially considered an overlay but chose a split. (KY PSC Order)
  • 1999: Area code 270 entered service on April 19, 1999. Permissive dialing ran from April 19 through November 1, 1999. Western Kentucky received 270; Louisville retained 502. (KY PSC Order)
  • 2001: NANPA first petitioned for 270 relief on July 25, 2001, projecting exhaust by Q2 2003. Industry consensus favored an all-services overlay. (KY PSC Order)
  • 2003: Voluntary thousands-block number pooling was implemented in the 270 NPA as an initial conservation measure.
  • 2006: NANPA declared jeopardy for the 270 NPA on August 31, 2006, with an updated exhaust forecast of Q4 2007. The PSC opened Case No. 2006-00357. (KY PSC Order)
  • 2007: Kentucky PSC ordered a geographic split of 270 on May 31, 2007, assigning area code 364 to the western portion (Henderson, Paducah, Hopkinsville). The FCC granted delegated authority for mandatory number pooling on the same date. Mandatory pooling implementation was ordered by November 30, 2007. (KY PSC Press Release; KY PSC Order)
  • 2007-2010: The PSC postponed the split implementation five times between June 2007 and August 2010 as number conservation measures extended the 270 NPA's life. (KY PSC Order)
  • 2010: The PSC vacated the geographic split decision on December 13, 2010. Number conservation measures and decreased demand pushed the projected exhaust to Q3 2014. NANPA rescinded jeopardy status. (KY PSC Order)
  • 2012: NANPA notified the PSC a new area code was needed by Q1 2015, later revised to Q1 2014. The PSC opened Case No. 2012-00129 and selected an all-services distributed overlay on December 17, 2012. This was the first overlay in Kentucky history. (KY PSC Press Release; KY PSC Case)
  • 2013: NANPA issued planning letter PL-449 on January 29, 2013. Network preparation began February 2, 2013. Permissive 10-digit dialing started August 3, 2013. (NANPA PL-449)
  • 2014: Mandatory 10-digit dialing began February 1, 2014. Area code 364 entered service on March 3, 2014, as an overlay to 270. (NANPA PL-449)

The 270 NPA's regulatory history is notable for the Kentucky PSC's 2010 reversal from a geographic split to a 2012 overlay decision, a shift driven by mandatory number pooling, public opposition to number changes, and evolving FCC policy favoring overlays. Source: KY PSC

Regulatory History

Area code 270 has been the subject of four major Kentucky PSC proceedings since 1998, spanning creation, relief planning, and overlay implementation. The regulatory history traces a 13-year journey from geographic split to overlay. Source: KY PSC

YearDocket/CaseActionOutcome
1998KY PSC Admin. Case No. 373Area code exhaustion and relief for the 502 NPAGeographic split ordered, creating area code 270 for western Kentucky. Split chosen over overlay after public hearings showed opposition to 10-digit dialing. (KY PSC Order)
2006-2010KY PSC Case No. 2006-00357NPA relief for 270: split ordered May 2007, postponed five times, vacated December 2010Split vacated. Number conservation measures (mandatory thousands-block pooling) and decreased demand extended 270 NPA life to Q3 2014. (KY PSC Order)
2007KY PSC Case No. 2006-00357FCC granted delegated authority for mandatory number pooling in the 270 NPAMandatory thousands-block pooling implemented by November 30, 2007, conserving available numbers and extending the NPA's usable life. (KY PSC Order)
2012KY PSC Case No. 2012-00129Application for 270 NPA relief: overlay selected over split alternativesAll-services distributed overlay approved. Area code 364 designated as the overlay NPA. First overlay in Kentucky history. (KY PSC Press Release)
2013NANPA PL-449364 overlay implementation timeline publishedNetwork preparation February 2, 2013; permissive 10-digit dialing August 3, 2013; mandatory 10-digit dialing February 1, 2014; 364 effective March 3, 2014. (NANPA PL-449)

The 270/364 regulatory history is notable for the PSC's reversal from a geographic split to an overlay, a shift driven by mandatory number pooling, public opposition to number changes, and evolving FCC policy favoring overlays. Source: KY PSC

County Coverage

Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 270).

CountyPopulationShare
Warren, KY150,3026.5%
Graves, KY125,0165.4%
Hardin, KY124,8125.4%
Daviess, KY118,8185.1%
Butler, KY110,4484.7%
Edmonson, KY102,8084.4%
Henderson, KY92,3914.0%
Calloway, KY83,2123.6%
Christian, KY81,1213.5%
McCracken, KY74,4493.2%
Simpson, KY69,3073.0%
McLean, KY61,5632.6%
Hopkins, KY61,4162.6%
Barren, KY59,0912.5%
Marshall, KY58,8312.5%
Breckinridge, KY57,5852.5%
Adair, KY48,7522.1%
Taylor, KY47,5702.0%
Larue, KY46,2882.0%
Allen, KY45,8662.0%
Caldwell, KY45,4412.0%
Marion, KY45,4152.0%
Green, KY44,4171.9%
Muhlenberg, KY44,3541.9%
Metcalfe, KY42,9051.8%
Ohio, KY41,9381.8%
Meade, KY39,9421.7%
Logan, KY32,9111.4%
Grayson, KY32,7121.4%
Todd, KY32,1331.4%
Hart, KY31,2291.3%
Trigg, KY26,8801.2%
Webster, KY26,6711.1%
Lyon, KY20,8380.9%
Crittenden, KY19,2330.8%
Russell, KY18,9110.8%
Hancock, KY17,0010.7%
Union, KY16,3280.7%
Casey, KY16,3120.7%
Cumberland, KY14,7830.6%
Washington, KY14,6510.6%
Hickman, KY14,2420.6%
Monroe, KY13,8950.6%
Pulaski, KY12,9510.6%
Ballard, KY10,0650.4%
Livingston, KY9,2610.4%
Fulton, KY7,7130.3%
Carlisle, KY6,0360.3%
Clinton, KY5,9640.3%
Nelson, KY3,5680.2%

Area Code 270 Family Tree

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502270761364
2
Total Codes
0
Splits
1
Overlays
1
Max Depth

All Descendants

Code ▲StateType In Service Parent
364KYoverlay03-Mar-2014270

Area code 270 was originally assigned in 19-Apr-1999 to serve KY. Over the years, it has generated 1 descendant area code through a combination of geographic splits and overlays as demand for telephone numbers grew.

Call Context

Mixed urban-rural area

This area code spans a mix of urban centers and rural communities across KY, with Bowling Green as a primary city.

Nearby Area Codes

Area codes geographically closest to 270.

Area code 615 map card showing Nashville (light mode)
615TNNashvilleCentral Time (CT)Geographic
Area code 629 map card showing Nashville (light mode)
629TNNashvilleCentral Time (CT)Overlay
Area code 812 map card showing Evansville (light mode)
812INEvansvilleEastern Time (ET)Geographic
Area code 930 map card showing Evansville (light mode)
930INEvansvilleEastern Time (ET)Overlay
Area code 502 map card showing Louisville (light mode)
502KYLouisvilleEastern Time (ET)Geographic
Area code 931 map card showing Clarksville (light mode)
931TNClarksvilleAll time zonesSplit

Other Area Codes in Kentucky

Area codes that also serve Kentucky, linked for easy comparison.