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
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 762,863
- Population Density
- 64 people/sq mibelow U.S. average (U.S.: 93 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $48,445below U.S. median (U.S.: $75,144)
- Poverty Rate
- 17.0%above U.S. average (U.S.: 11.5%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 4.3%above U.S. average (U.S.: 3.6%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+17.4%below U.S. average (U.S.: 33.7%)High School or Lower42.3%
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 Zone
- 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
Prefix Utilization
Geographic Coverage
State
VA
Major Cities
- Richmond
- Bristol
- Martinsville
- Abingdon
- Wytheville
- Collinsville
- Galax
- Marion
- Big Stone Gap
- Richlands
- Bluefield
- Tazewell
- Norton
- Lebanon
- Wise
- Hillsville
- Chilhowie
- Glade Spring
- Horse Pasture
- Patrick Springs
- Saltville
- Pennington Gap
- Raven
- Stuart
and 87 more cities
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.
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% |
Area Code 276 Family Tree
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Area code 276 was originally assigned in 01-Sep-2001 to serve VA.
Call Context
This area code spans a mix of urban centers and rural communities across VA, with Richmond as a primary city.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 276.
Other Area Codes in Virginia
Area codes that also serve Virginia, linked for easy comparison.