Area Code 274
Wisconsin
Area code 274 serves Wisconsin, primarily Green Bay, in the Central Time (CT) time zone. It is an overlay area code sharing territory with area code 920.
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 920 (Green Bay).
In service since: 05-May-2023
Historical Timeline of Area Code 274
Area code 274 was activated on May 5, 2023 as an all-services overlay for area code 920, covering 18 counties in northeastern Wisconsin. The code traces its lineage to area code 414, one of the original 86 North American area codes assigned in 1947, which was split to create 920 in 1997 before the 274 overlay was approved. (Source: Wikipedia)
Key milestones:
- 1947: Wisconsin assigned original area codes 414 (south/east) and 715 (northwest) (Source: Wikipedia)
- 1955: Area code 608 split from 414, serving Madison and western Wisconsin
- 1997: Area code 920 created as split from 414, covering northeastern Wisconsin including Green Bay and Fox River Valley (effective July 26, 1997) (Source: Wikipedia)
- 1999: Area code 262 split from 414, covering southeastern Wisconsin outside Milwaukee County (effective September 25, 1999)
- 2008: Wisconsin PSC approved all-services distributed overlay for 920 NPA in Docket 5-TN-106 (December 8, 2008), creating area code 274 (Source: WisPolitics)
- 2010: PSC ordered postponement of 920/274 overlay due to changed exhaustion forecasts (November 15, 2010) (Source: Wisconsin PSC)
- 2012 (Wikipedia): PSC issued Supplemental Order suspending implementation schedule, directing NANPA to establish triggers for reconvening (November 23, 2012)
- 2021: Mandatory 10-digit dialing took effect across 920 NPA due to FCC requirement for 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (October 24, 2021)
- 2022: NANPA convened industry meeting and established revised implementation schedule; PL-593 issued (June 2, 2022)
- 2023: Area code 274 went into service as all-services overlay on 920 (May 5, 2023) (Source: WisPolitics)
Unique Facts About Area Code 274
Area code 274 has several notable characteristics stemming from its unusually long path to activation. The overlay was approved in 2008 but not activated until May 2023, a 15-year delay caused by four separate postponements. (Source: Wikipedia)
- 15-year implementation delay: The overlay was originally scheduled for 2012 activation, but the Great Recession, number portability growth, landline-to-mobile migration, and repeated exhaustion forecast revisions caused four separate postponements spanning 15 years. This makes it one of the longest-delayed area code implementations in NANP history. (Source: WisPolitics; Source: WPR)
- Four separate postponements: PL-385 (2008) set the first schedule with 2012 activation. PL-417 (2010) revised to 2014. The PSC Supplemental Order (2012) suspended the schedule entirely. PL-593 (2022) established the final timeline leading to the May 2023 in-service date. (Source: Wikipedia)
- Single regulatory docket: Wisconsin PSC Docket 5-TN-106 is the sole regulatory proceeding governing the 920/274 overlay. All overlay decisions, including approval, postponements, suspension, and reactivation, were issued under this single docket by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. No FCC-specific proceeding was required since the overlay was a state-level numbering decision.
- Extended exhaust projections: PSC exhaust projections have been repeatedly extended. The 2023 forecast showed exhaustion in 2028, the 2024 forecast pushed it to 2026, the 2025 forecast to 2055, and the 2026 forecast to 2059. This dramatic extension reflects the ongoing impact of number conservation measures, VoIP adoption, and reduced per-line number demand. (Source: Wisconsin PSC)
- 988 Lifeline forced early 10-digit dialing: Area code 920 permitted seven-digit local dialing until the FCC designated 988 as a nationwide crisis hotline. Since 988 was a valid central office code prefix in the 920 NPA, the area code was required to transition to mandatory 10-digit dialing by October 24, 2021, nearly two years before area code 274 went into service. (Source: Wikipedia)
FCC Regulatory History
The 920/274 overlay was governed primarily by Wisconsin PSC Docket 5-TN-106, with implementation managed through multiple NANPA planning letters spanning 2008 to 2022. The FCC's involvement was limited to the national 988 mandate that accelerated 10-digit dialing adoption in the 920 NPA. (Source: Wikipedia)
| Year | Event | Docket | Regulatory Action and Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Overlay Approval | 5-TN-106 | Wisconsin PSC approved all-services distributed overlay as relief method for 920 NPA. Area code 274 created; original implementation set for 2012. (Source: WisPolitics) |
| 2008 | Initial Planning Letter | PL-385 | NANPA established initial implementation schedule: permissive 10-digit dialing May 14, 2011; mandatory Feb 11, 2012; CO activation Mar 10, 2012. |
| 2010 | Schedule Revision | PL-417 | Revised implementation schedule after PSC Supplemental Final Decision (Nov 15, 2010). New schedule: permissive May 4, 2013; mandatory Jan 25, 2014; CO activation Feb 22, 2014. |
| 2012 | Schedule Suspension | 5-TN-106 | PSC Supplemental Order suspended 920/274 implementation schedule due to changed exhaustion forecasts. Directed NANPA to establish triggers to reconvene when CO codes fall to 50 or exhaust is within 24 months. (Source: Wisconsin PSC) |
| 2021 | 988 Lifeline Mandate | FCC Order | 920 NPA transitioned to mandatory 10-digit dialing per FCC requirement for 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Required all 920 subscribers to dial 10 digits. (Source: Wikipedia) |
| 2022 | Final Schedule | PL-593 | Final revised implementation schedule. Network preparation and customer education August 5, 2022 to May 5, 2023. CO code activation May 5, 2023. |
| 2023 | In-Service Activation | NANPA | Area code 274 activated as all-services overlay on 920. Available for new number assignments across 18-county northeast Wisconsin region. (Source: WisPolitics) |
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 274).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Outagamie, WI | 376,842 | 17.9% |
| Brown, WI | 326,049 | 15.4% |
| Winnebago, WI | 273,953 | 13.0% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | 160,923 | 7.6% |
| Calumet, WI | 137,674 | 6.5% |
| Dodge, WI | 124,095 | 5.9% |
| Sheboygan, WI | 122,069 | 5.8% |
| Manitowoc, WI | 113,241 | 5.4% |
| Jefferson, WI | 80,635 | 3.8% |
| Waushara, WI | 48,720 | 2.3% |
| Oconto, WI | 48,479 | 2.3% |
| Door, WI | 44,870 | 2.1% |
| Green Lake, WI | 40,137 | 1.9% |
| Shawano, WI | 36,127 | 1.7% |
| Waupaca, WI | 32,639 | 1.5% |
| Kewaunee, WI | 28,908 | 1.4% |
| Columbia, WI | 22,425 | 1.1% |
| Marquette, WI | 18,706 | 0.9% |
| Rock, WI | 18,604 | 0.9% |
| Dane, WI | 14,143 | 0.7% |
| Washington, WI | 12,840 | 0.6% |
| Marinette, WI | 8,431 | 0.4% |
| Ozaukee, WI | 6,937 | 0.3% |
| Menominee, WI | 6,469 | 0.3% |
| Waukesha, WI | 3,483 | 0.2% |
| Portage, WI | 3,245 | 0.2% |
Call Context
This area code serves the same geographic region as area code 920 in Wisconsin. It was introduced as an overlay of area code 920, meaning both codes serve the same geographic territory.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 274.
Other Area Codes in Wisconsin
Area codes that also serve Wisconsin, linked for easy comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about area code 274 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 920, area code 920. Learn more in our overlay vs split guide.
While Columbus 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.
New area codes are introduced when existing codes in a region approach exhaustion of available number combinations. The telecommunications industry and regulatory bodies plan these additions years in advance to ensure seamless transitions. Recent codes are typically overlays, sharing territory with established codes.