Area Code 540

Virginia

Area code 540 serves Virginia, primarily Roanoke, in the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It has served the region since 15-Jul-1995.

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 826 (Roanoke).

In service since: 15-Jul-1995

Learn more about overlay and split area codes →

Area Code Splits

Parts of this area code’s original geographic region were later assigned new area codes through splits. When a split occurs, some customers in the original area code region are assigned the new area code.

Split into: area code 276 (Richmond).

Learn more about overlay and split area codes →

Demographics & Economics

Total Population: 3,347,168
Population Density: 111 people/sq mi
above U.S. average (U.S.: 93 people/sq mi)
Median Household Income: $82,931
above U.S. median (U.S.: $75,144)
Poverty Rate: 10.7%
near U.S. average (U.S.: 11.5%)
Unemployment Rate: 3.8%
near U.S. average (U.S.: 3.6%)
Education Attainment: Bachelor's Degree+
32.6%
near U.S. average (U.S.: 33.7%)
High School or Lower
34.3%

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

Eastern Time (ET)

Prefix Utilization

Geographic Coverage

State

Major Cities

Roanoke
Harrisonburg
Blacksburg
Fredericksburg
Winchester
Cave Spring
Staunton
Salem
Christiansburg
Waynesboro
Culpeper
Hollins
Radford
Front Royal
Stuarts Draft
New Baltimore
Warrenton
Fishersville
Purcellville
Pulaski
Lake of the Woods
Vinton
Lexington
Strasburg

and 181 more cities

Area Code 540 geographic coverage map (light mode)

Demographics

The estimated population served by area code 540 is approximately 3,347,168. The population density is 111 people per square mile, which is higher than the national average of 93. The median household income is $82,931, which is higher than the national median of $75,144. Approximately 32.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national rate of 33.7%. This rate is near the national average. The poverty rate stands at 10.7%, which is near the national rate of 11.5%.

History

Area code 540 was established in 1995 as a geographic area code. Over time, area code area code 276 was split from 540. It shares its territory with area code area code 826.

County Coverage

Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 540).

County	Population	Share
Roanoke, VA	211,940	6.3%
Spotsylvania, VA	189,874	5.7%
Roanoke city, VA	189,089	5.6%
Fauquier, VA	177,817	5.3%
Stafford, VA	166,514	5.0%
Frederick, VA	157,238	4.7%
Botetourt, VA	149,923	4.5%
Augusta, VA	148,252	4.4%
Rockingham, VA	147,646	4.4%
Culpeper, VA	143,526	4.3%
Montgomery, VA	124,046	3.7%
Fredericksburg city, VA	123,524	3.7%
Orange, VA	111,741	3.3%
Warren, VA	81,453	2.4%
Bedford, VA	75,331	2.3%
Harrisonburg city, VA	74,760	2.2%
Franklin, VA	72,173	2.2%
Madison, VA	64,937	1.9%
Shenandoah, VA	59,768	1.8%
Clarke, VA	52,203	1.6%
Pulaski, VA	50,584	1.5%
Loudoun, VA	50,518	1.5%
Rappahannock, VA	47,002	1.4%
Louisa, VA	45,900	1.4%
Staunton city, VA	43,051	1.3%
Rockbridge, VA	42,901	1.3%
Floyd, VA	42,361	1.3%
Salem city, VA	38,249	1.1%
Page, VA	35,768	1.1%
Waynesboro city, VA	32,756	1.0%
Caroline, VA	31,050	0.9%
Winchester city, VA	29,385	0.9%
King George, VA	27,468	0.8%
Westmoreland, VA	26,810	0.8%
Alleghany, VA	25,089	0.7%
Goochland, VA	25,015	0.7%
Radford city, VA	23,613	0.7%
Albemarle, VA	21,213	0.6%
Craig, VA	20,949	0.6%
Lexington city, VA	17,760	0.5%
Giles, VA	17,198	0.5%
Bland, VA	15,037	0.4%
Fluvanna, VA	14,243	0.4%
Covington city, VA	13,611	0.4%
Prince William, VA	13,062	0.4%
Patrick, VA	12,306	0.4%
Bath, VA	10,777	0.3%
Hanover, VA	10,770	0.3%
Buena Vista city, VA	9,186	0.3%
Greene, VA	6,727	0.2%
Nelson, VA	6,322	0.2%
Carroll, VA	4,926	0.1%
Jefferson, WV	3,376	0.1%
Highland, VA	3,085	0.1%
Pittsylvania, VA	2,695	0.1%
Wythe, VA	2,442	0.1%
Henry, VA	1,504	0.0%
Amherst, VA	704	0.0%

Area Code 540 Family Tree

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Total Codes

Splits

Overlays

Max Depth

All Descendants

Code ▲	State	Type	In Service	Parent
276	VA	split	01-Sep-2001	540
826	VA	overlay	14-Jun-2022	540

Area code 540 was originally assigned in 15-Jul-1995 to serve VA. Over the years, it has generated 2 descendant area codes through a combination of geographic splits and overlays as demand for telephone numbers grew.