Area Code 308
Nebraska
Area code 308 serves Nebraska, primarily Grand Island, in the Central Time (CT) time zone. It has served the region since 01-Jan-1955.
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 741,161
- Population Density
- 3 people/sq mibelow U.S. average (U.S.: 93 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $65,383below U.S. median (U.S.: $75,144)
- Poverty Rate
- 11.0%near U.S. average (U.S.: 11.5%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 2.3%below U.S. average (U.S.: 3.6%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+24.6%below U.S. average (U.S.: 33.7%)High School or Lower32.6%
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)
- Mountain Time (MT)
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
This area code spans multiple time zones.
Prefix Utilization
Geographic Coverage
State
NE
Major Cities
- Grand Island
- Kearney
- North Platte
- Scottsbluff
- Lexington
- Gering
- Alliance
- McCook
- Sidney
- Holdrege
- Chadron
- Ogallala
- Cozad
- Broken Bow
- Gothenburg
- Minden
- St. Paul
- Ord
- Imperial
- Kimball
- Mitchell
- Gordon
- Gibbon
- Bayard
and 177 more cities
Historical Timeline of Area Code 308
Area code 308 was created on July 1, 1954, by splitting Nebraska's original area code 402 along an S-shaped boundary from the South Dakota border to the Kansas border. Western Nebraska received 308 while eastern Nebraska retained 402. The code has undergone no splits or overlays in over 71 years of continuous service, serving western and central Nebraska's agricultural heartland. Its exhaustion date has been projected at 2054, extended significantly from earlier estimates due to thousands-block pooling. Source: Wikipedia
Key milestones:
- 1947: Nebraska designated as single NPA with area code 402, one of 86 original North American area codes. Source: Wikipedia
- 1954: Area code 308 created July 1 by splitting NPA 402. Western Nebraska assigned 308; eastern Nebraska retained 402. Source: Wikipedia
- 2004: Nebraska PSC opens Docket C-3049 investigating solutions to extend the life of area codes 308 and 402. Workshop held July 15, 2004.
- 2009: Nebraska PSC Case 4152 approved the 531 overlay for area code 402 and ordered open-ended permissive 10-digit dialing for 308. Source: Nebraska PSC
- 2010: Permissive 10-digit dialing begins for 308 and 402/531 NPAs on June 26. NANPA PL-410 issued September 1, 2010. Source: NANPA PL-410
- 2011: Mandatory 10-digit dialing for area code 402/area code 531 begins February 26. 531 NPA activated March 26, 2011. 308 retains 7-digit local dialing. Source: NANPA PL-410
Area code 308's stability reflects western Nebraska's low population density and gradual telephone number consumption. The code serves cities including Grand Island, Kearney, North Platte, and Scottsbluff across the state's central and western regions.
Regulatory History
Area code 308's regulatory history centers on two key Nebraska PSC proceedings and NANPA planning letters. In 2004, Docket C-3049 investigated extending the life of both 308 and 402. In 2009, Case 4152 approved the 531 overlay for 402 and ordered permissive 10-digit dialing for 308. NANPA PL-410 codified the implementation schedule, with 308 retaining 7-digit local dialing throughout. Source: Nebraska PSC
| Year | Event | Docket | Regulatory Action & Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Investigation opened | C-3049 | Nebraska PSC opened investigation into extending the life of area codes 308 and 402. Workshop held July 15, 2004. Working group formed to evaluate thousands-block pooling outside top 100 MSAs. |
| 2009 | Overlay approved | Case 4152 | PSC approved 531 overlay for area code 402 and ordered open-ended permissive 10-digit dialing for 308. 308 retains 7-digit local dialing. Source: Nebraska PSC |
| 2010 | Permissive dialing begins | PL-410 | NANPA Planning Letter PL-410 codified the implementation schedule. Permissive 10-digit dialing started June 26, 2010 for both 308 and 402/531. Source: NANPA PL-410 |
| 2011 | 531 activated | PL-410 | Mandatory 10-digit dialing for area code 402/area code 531 began February 26, 2011. 531 NPA activated March 26, 2011. 308 retains 7-digit local dialing. Source: NANPA PL-410 |
| 2025 | Merge discussion | PSC Proceeding | Nebraska PSC discussed merging 308 into the 402/531 overlay as a potential relief option for eastern Nebraska's exhaust crisis. Commissioner Stocker strongly cautioned against the proposal. Source: Nebraska Public Media |
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 308).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Hall, NE | 63,588 | 8.6% |
| Buffalo, NE | 51,763 | 7.0% |
| Kearney, NE | 48,550 | 6.6% |
| Lincoln, NE | 41,523 | 5.6% |
| Merrick, NE | 40,625 | 5.5% |
| Scotts Bluff, NE | 38,764 | 5.2% |
| Phelps, NE | 35,089 | 4.7% |
| McPherson, NE | 31,829 | 4.3% |
| Dawson, NE | 28,661 | 3.9% |
| Sioux, NE | 25,984 | 3.5% |
| Custer, NE | 25,612 | 3.5% |
| Sheridan, NE | 21,580 | 2.9% |
| Banner, NE | 19,095 | 2.6% |
| Gosper, NE | 19,054 | 2.6% |
| Frontier, NE | 18,037 | 2.4% |
| Morrill, NE | 15,019 | 2.0% |
| Perkins, NE | 14,290 | 1.9% |
| Red Willow, NE | 13,703 | 1.8% |
| Hayes, NE | 13,166 | 1.8% |
| Hitchcock, NE | 12,610 | 1.7% |
| Box Butte, NE | 11,021 | 1.5% |
| Harlan, NE | 11,017 | 1.5% |
| Dawes, NE | 10,982 | 1.5% |
| Howard, NE | 10,501 | 1.4% |
| Cheyenne, NE | 9,710 | 1.3% |
| Keith, NE | 9,386 | 1.3% |
| Valley, NE | 6,462 | 0.9% |
| Fall River, SD | 6,445 | 0.9% |
| Oglala Lakota, SD | 6,445 | 0.9% |
| Sherman, NE | 6,085 | 0.8% |
| Furnas, NE | 5,475 | 0.7% |
| Cherry, NE | 5,453 | 0.7% |
| Garfield, NE | 5,255 | 0.7% |
| Nance, NE | 5,087 | 0.7% |
| Arthur, NE | 4,982 | 0.7% |
| Chase, NE | 4,604 | 0.6% |
| Garden, NE | 4,249 | 0.6% |
| Kimball, NE | 3,971 | 0.5% |
| Greeley, NE | 3,819 | 0.5% |
| Loup, NE | 3,708 | 0.5% |
| Franklin, NE | 3,115 | 0.4% |
| Dundy, NE | 3,061 | 0.4% |
| Adams, NE | 2,648 | 0.4% |
| Deuel, NE | 2,625 | 0.4% |
| Logan, NE | 2,212 | 0.3% |
| Holt, NE | 2,164 | 0.3% |
| Rock, NE | 2,087 | 0.3% |
| Thomas, NE | 1,708 | 0.2% |
| Polk, NE | 1,578 | 0.2% |
| Wheeler, NE | 1,377 | 0.2% |
| Boone, NE | 1,202 | 0.2% |
| Grant, NE | 976 | 0.1% |
| Blaine, NE | 968 | 0.1% |
| Hamilton, NE | 844 | 0.1% |
| Hooker, NE | 707 | 0.1% |
| Sedgwick, CO | 255 | 0.0% |
| Webster, NE | 221 | 0.0% |
| Decatur, KS | 123 | 0.0% |
| Brown, NE | 91 | 0.0% |
Area Code 308 Family Tree
Area code 308 is an original area code with no splits or overlays. It has been in service since 01-Jan-1955.
Call Context
This area code covers a primarily rural region in NE with low population density. The largest community is Grand Island.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 308.
Other Area Codes in Nebraska
Area codes that also serve Nebraska, linked for easy comparison.