Area Code 276
Virginia
Area code 276 serves Virginia, primarily Richmond, in the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It was created from a split of area code 540.
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 540 (Roanoke).
In service since: 01-Sep-2001
Historical Timeline of Area Code 276
Area code 276 was established on September 1, 2001, when the Virginia State Corporation Commission ordered a geographic split of area code 540 to serve far southwest Virginia. The split was necessitated by dwindling telephone exchange codes in the 540 area. It was among the last geographic splits implemented in the United States. Source: Verizon Press Release
- 1995: Area code 540 created from split of 703, covering western Virginia including the southwest region. Source: Wikipedia
- November 29, 1999: Virginia SCC petitions FCC for delegated authority to implement 540 area code relief. Source: Virginia SCC
- July 20, 2000: FCC grants thousands-block number pooling authority for Virginia. Source: Virginia SCC
- February 22, 2001: Virginia SCC orders split of area code 540, creating area code 276. Source: Virginia SCC
- September 1, 2001: Area code 276 goes into service. Permissive dialing period begins with both 540 and 276 accepted for far southwest Virginia. Source: Verizon Press Release
- September 1, 2001 to March 16, 2002: Grace period allows customers to notify contacts and reprogram equipment. Source: Verizon Press Release
- March 16, 2002: Mandatory use of 276 code for long-distance calls to far southwest Virginia takes effect. Source: NANPA Planning Letters
- July 16, 2020: FCC adopts Order FCC 20-100, designating 988 as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 3-digit code. Source: FCC
- April 24, 2021: Permissive 10-digit dialing begins in area code 276 (and 804) due to 988 conflict. Source: Virginia SCC
- October 24, 2021: Mandatory 10-digit dialing takes effect in area code 276, one of 82 affected area codes nationwide. Source: FCC
Area code 276 serves the southwest corner of the Commonwealth of Virginia, covering 15 counties and 4 independent cities in the Appalachian region. The code was among the last geographic splits implemented in the U.S.; no split has occurred since 2006 when New Mexico split area code 505 to create 575.
Unique Facts About Area Code 276
Area code 276 has several characteristics that distinguish it within the North American Numbering Plan. Source: Virginia SCC
- Last geographic split in Virginia: Area code 276 was the last geographic area code split implemented in Virginia. The Virginia SCC notes that no geographic split has been implemented in the U.S. since 2006, when New Mexico split area code 505 to create 575. The 276 split in 2001 and the concurrent 434 split from 804 were among the final geographic splits nationwide. Source: Virginia SCC
- Bristol twin-city border: Bristol, Virginia, one of the independent cities served by 276, straddles the Virginia-Tennessee state line with a twin city of the same name. Bristol, Tennessee (area code 423) and Bristol, Virginia share a main street as their boundary. The area code also borders Kentucky (606), West Virginia (304/681), and North Carolina (336). Source: Wikipedia
- 988 transition area code: Area code 276 was one of 82 area codes nationwide required to transition to 10-digit local dialing in 2021 due to the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline. FCC Order FCC 20-100 (July 2020) designated 988 as the nationwide 3-digit crisis line. Area code 276 had 988 central office codes in use, creating a conflict with 7-digit dialing. Mandatory 10-digit dialing took effect October 24, 2021, affecting 35 states including Virginia (codes 276 and 804). Source: FCC
- Numbering resource sufficiency: Area code 276's numbering resources are sufficient until approximately 2044. With 358 of 801 total prefixes assigned (44.7%) and no relief planning underway, the area code has decades of remaining capacity. The predominantly rural Appalachian service area generates lower number demand than urban Virginia codes. Source: Verizon
- Appalachian coalfield coverage: The 276 service area covers Appalachian communities historically dependent on coal mining, furniture manufacturing, and textiles. The 15 counties, including Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, and Wise, form the heart of Virginia's coalfield region. The area encompasses the New River Valley and the Virginia side of the Tri-Cities metropolitan area. Source: Verizon Press Release
FCC Regulatory History
Area code 276 was created through FCC-delegated authority granted to the Virginia SCC in 1999 to 2000, with the split order issued February 22, 2001. NANPA issued planning letters PL-288, PL-298, and PL-324 for the split. In 2020, FCC Order FCC 20-100 required 10-digit dialing transition in 276 due to the 988 crisis line designation, with mandatory compliance by October 24, 2021. Source: FCC
| Date | Action | Authority | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-11-29 | Virginia SCC petitions FCC for delegated authority | Virginia SCC / FCC | Request for authority to implement area code relief for the 540 NPA (Virginia SCC) |
| 2000-07-20 | FCC grants thousands-block number pooling authority | FCC | Virginia authorized to implement thousands-block number conservation (Virginia SCC) |
| 2001-02-22 | Virginia SCC orders split of area code 540 | Virginia SCC | Area code 276 created for far southwest Virginia; case ordered to remain open (Virginia SCC) |
| 2001-08-23 | NANPA Planning Letter PL-288 issued | NANPA | Authorized the 540 NPA split and creation of 276 NPA (NANPA Planning Letters) |
| 2004 | NANPA Planning Letters PL-298 and PL-324 issued | NANPA | PL-298 corrected split implementation details; PL-324 extended permissive dialing period for wireless code holders (NANPA Planning Letters) |
| 2020-07-16 | FCC adopts Order FCC 20-100 | FCC | Designated 988 as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 3-digit code; required 10-digit dialing transition in affected area codes (FCC) |
| 2021-01-08 | NANPA Planning Letter PL-556 issued | NANPA | Established transition timeline for 10-digit dialing in 82 affected area codes, including 276 (NANPA PL-556) |
| 2021-10-24 | Mandatory 10-digit dialing takes effect | FCC / Virginia SCC | Area code 276 transitions from 7-digit to 10-digit local dialing (Virginia SCC) |
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 276).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Henry, VA | 70,533 | 9.2% |
| Washington, VA | 68,512 | 9.0% |
| Carroll, VA | 53,925 | 7.1% |
| Scott, VA | 52,120 | 6.8% |
| Tazewell, VA | 45,097 | 5.9% |
| Patrick, VA | 44,055 | 5.8% |
| Franklin, VA | 42,382 | 5.6% |
| Wise, VA | 42,050 | 5.5% |
| Wythe, VA | 39,980 | 5.2% |
| Russell, VA | 39,516 | 5.2% |
| Smyth, VA | 38,833 | 5.1% |
| Lee, VA | 36,263 | 4.8% |
| Martinsville city, VA | 30,862 | 4.0% |
| Buchanan, VA | 30,796 | 4.0% |
| Grayson, VA | 30,230 | 4.0% |
| Bristol city, VA | 28,363 | 3.7% |
| Dickenson, VA | 25,195 | 3.3% |
| Galax city, VA | 17,841 | 2.3% |
| Pittsylvania, VA | 6,046 | 0.8% |
| Bland, VA | 6,007 | 0.8% |
| Norton city, VA | 5,860 | 0.8% |
| Giles, VA | 3,789 | 0.5% |
| Floyd, VA | 2,929 | 0.4% |
| McDowell, WV | 848 | 0.1% |
| Pulaski, VA | 831 | 0.1% |
Call Context
This area code covers multiple cities and communities across a broad region in Virginia. It was created as a geographic split from area code 540, dividing the original territory into separate numbering regions.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 276.
Other Area Codes in Virginia
Area codes that also serve Virginia, linked for easy comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about area code 276 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 540. See our guide on splits and overlays for details.
While Cleveland 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 276 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.