Area Code 865
Tennessee
Area code 865 serves Tennessee, primarily Knoxville, in the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It was created from a split of area code 423.
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 423 (Chattanooga).
In service since: 01-Nov-1999
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 1,708,860
- Population Density
- 210 people/sq miabove U.S. average (U.S.: 95 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $74,222near U.S. median (U.S.: $80,734)
- Poverty Rate
- 12.4%near U.S. average (U.S.: 12.5%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 3.7%below U.S. average (U.S.: 5.2%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+29.3%below U.S. average (U.S.: 35.7%)High School or Lower35.7%
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 income ranking and density ranking.
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
TN
Major Cities
- Knoxville
- Maryville
- Oak Ridge
- Farragut
- Sevierville
- Seymour
- Powell
- Alcoa
- Clinton
- Halls
- Pigeon Forge
- Loudon
- Kingston
- Harriman
- Rockwood
- Louisville
- Karns
- Gatlinburg
- Dandridge
- Oliver Springs
- Bean Station
- Mascot
- Blaine
- Coalfield
and 30 more cities
Demographics
The estimated population served by area code 865 is approximately 1,708,860. The population density is 210 people per square mile, which is higher than the national average of 95. The median household income is $74,222, which is near the national median of $80,734. Approximately 29.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national rate of 35.7%. This rate is lower than the national average. The poverty rate stands at 12.4%, which is near the national rate of 12.5%.
History
Area code 865 was created from a split of area code 423. It was introduced in 1999 as part of a geographic division to provide additional numbering resources.
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 865).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Knox, TN | 582,591 | 34.1% |
| Blount, TN | 204,618 | 12.0% |
| Sevier, TN | 173,267 | 10.1% |
| Anderson, TN | 162,782 | 9.5% |
| Roane, TN | 131,734 | 7.7% |
| Loudon, TN | 110,316 | 6.5% |
| Jefferson, TN | 109,272 | 6.4% |
| Union, TN | 61,724 | 3.6% |
| Monroe, TN | 52,437 | 3.1% |
| Morgan, TN | 39,858 | 2.3% |
| Grainger, TN | 30,581 | 1.8% |
| Hamblen, TN | 16,321 | 1.0% |
| Cumberland, TN | 13,710 | 0.8% |
| Campbell, TN | 5,673 | 0.3% |
| McMinn, TN | 4,177 | 0.2% |
| Meigs, TN | 4,177 | 0.2% |
| Claiborne, TN | 1,874 | 0.1% |
| Hancock, TN | 1,874 | 0.1% |
| Hawkins, TN | 1,874 | 0.1% |
Area Code 865 Family Tree
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Area code 865 was originally assigned in 01-Nov-1999 to serve TN.
Call Context
This area code covers a metropolitan region in TN with moderate to high population density, centered on Knoxville and surrounding communities.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 865.
Other Area Codes in Tennessee
Area codes that also serve Tennessee, linked for easy comparison.