Area Code 320
Minnesota
Area code 320 serves Minnesota, primarily St. Cloud, in the Central Time (CT) time zone. It was created from a split of area code 612.
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 612 (Minneapolis).
In service since: 17-Mar-1996
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 998,049
- Population Density
- 34 people/sq mibelow U.S. average (U.S.: 93 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $75,037near U.S. median (U.S.: $75,144)
- Poverty Rate
- 9.8%below U.S. average (U.S.: 11.5%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 3.6%near U.S. average (U.S.: 3.6%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+23.5%below U.S. average (U.S.: 33.7%)High School or Lower34.9%
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
- Central Time (CT)
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
MN
Major Cities
- St. Cloud
- Willmar
- Sartell
- Hutchinson
- Alexandria
- Sauk Rapids
- Little Falls
- Waite Park
- St. Joseph
- Litchfield
- Glencoe
- Montevideo
- Morris
- Sauk Centre
- Cold Spring
- Mora
- Long Prairie
- Melrose
- St. Augusta
- Benson
- Annandale
- Milaca
- Albany
- Cokato
and 168 more cities
Historical Timeline of Area Code 320
Area code 320 was created on March 17, 1996, as the 169th area code in the North American Numbering Plan. It was split from area code 612, which had served all of Minnesota since 1947. The split was driven by numbering exhaust in the Twin Cities metro area, as US West had advised NANPA of substantial demand for telephone numbers. Source: Wikipedia
Key milestones:
- 1947: Area code 612 created as one of the original two Minnesota area codes (with 218), covering southeastern Minnesota. Source: Wikipedia
- 1954: Area code 507 split from 612 for southern Minnesota. Source: Wikipedia
- 1995: NANPA Information Letter IL-95/09-007 issued September 15, 1995, announcing the split of NPA 612. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved the creation of 320 for central and western Minnesota. Source: NANPA
- 1996-March: Area code 320 enters service on March 17, 1996. Permissive dialing of 612 or 320 begins across the affected region. Source: Alexandria Echo Press
- 1996-September: Permissive dialing ends September 15, 1996; 320 becomes mandatory for central Minnesota. Growth in fax machines, pagers, cellular telephones, and computer modems had accelerated the need for additional numbers. Source: Alexandria Echo Press
- 1998: Area code 651 created for the St. Paul area, reducing 612 to the Minneapolis core. 320 unaffected. Source: Wikipedia
- 2000: Area code 763 and area code 952 split from 612 for Twin Cities suburbs. 320 unaffected. Source: Wikipedia
- 2021: Area code 320 transitions to mandatory 10-digit dialing on October 24, 2021, as required by the FCC's FCC-20-100 order designating 988 as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Source: FCC
Regulatory History
Area code 320 has been affected by two significant regulatory actions: the 1995 NANPA Information Letter documenting the 612 split, and the 2020 FCC order requiring 10-digit dialing for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Source: FCC
| Year | Event | Docket | Regulatory Action & Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 612 NPA Split Approved | IL-95/09-007 | NANPA Information Letter issued September 15, 1995, documenting the split of NPA 612. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved the creation of area code 320 for central and western Minnesota, effective March 17, 1996. Source: NANPA |
| 2020 | 988 Lifeline Designation | FCC-20-100 (Docket 18-336) | FCC Report and Order adopted July 16, 2020, designating 988 as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Required 10-digit dialing in area codes where 988 is assigned as a central office code, including 320. Mandatory compliance took effect October 24, 2021. Source: FCC |
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 320).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Stearns, MN | 183,561 | 18.4% |
| Benton, MN | 77,018 | 7.7% |
| Morrison, MN | 68,238 | 6.8% |
| Meeker, MN | 58,697 | 5.9% |
| Kandiyohi, MN | 56,069 | 5.6% |
| Sherburne, MN | 47,771 | 4.8% |
| Pope, MN | 46,924 | 4.7% |
| Douglas, MN | 45,982 | 4.6% |
| Kanabec, MN | 42,117 | 4.2% |
| McLeod, MN | 37,847 | 3.8% |
| Renville, MN | 36,795 | 3.7% |
| Pine, MN | 34,842 | 3.5% |
| Mille Lacs, MN | 33,993 | 3.4% |
| Wright, MN | 33,677 | 3.4% |
| Todd, MN | 29,966 | 3.0% |
| Chippewa, MN | 21,465 | 2.2% |
| Isanti, MN | 19,597 | 2.0% |
| Lac qui Parle, MN | 18,550 | 1.9% |
| Swift, MN | 13,616 | 1.4% |
| Yellow Medicine, MN | 13,128 | 1.3% |
| Chisago, MN | 12,872 | 1.3% |
| Sibley, MN | 12,552 | 1.3% |
| Stevens, MN | 12,162 | 1.2% |
| Big Stone, MN | 9,537 | 1.0% |
| Crow Wing, MN | 8,345 | 0.8% |
| Traverse, MN | 6,374 | 0.6% |
| Aitkin, MN | 5,075 | 0.5% |
| Grant, MN | 3,530 | 0.4% |
| Carver, MN | 2,600 | 0.3% |
| Redwood, MN | 2,099 | 0.2% |
| Otter Tail, MN | 1,731 | 0.2% |
| Roberts, SD | 901 | 0.1% |
| Deuel, SD | 418 | 0.0% |
Area Code 320 Family Tree
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Area code 320 was originally assigned in 17-Mar-1996 to serve MN.
Call Context
This area code spans a mix of urban centers and rural communities across MN, with St. Cloud as a primary city.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 320.
Other Area Codes in Minnesota
Area codes that also serve Minnesota, linked for easy comparison.