Where is Area Code 279?
Area Code 279 serves communities in the greater Sacramento region of California, functioning as an overlay to the well-established 916 area code. Multiple cities and counties within this area rely on the 279 code for new telephone lines. Notable locations include:
- Sacramento
- Elk Grove
- Citrus Heights
- Rancho Cordova
- Roseville
This code extends across portions of Sacramento County, Placer County, El Dorado County, and Yolo County. For additional details on boundary specifics, please consult the North American Numbering Plan Administrator’s information provided on the official website of the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA resources).
What Time Zone Is 279 Area Code in the USA?
The 279 area code lies in the Pacific Time Zone (PT). Standard time in this region is observed between November and mid-March, typically referred to as Pacific Standard Time (PST), which is UTC - 8. Daylight Saving Time (DST) applies from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, at which point local time shifts to Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC - 7.
Residents and businesses in the 279 area code thus follow the same timekeeping rules as the rest of California. For current guidelines on national time zone boundaries and regulations, please visit the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST time zone information).
History of the 279 Area Code
The California Public Utilities Commission (505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102) oversees state telephone numbering matters. Over time, significant population growth and expanded telephone use in the Sacramento area led to the exhaustion of the 916 area code’s number supply. As a result:
- The California Public Utilities Commission approved an overlay to 916 in response to number depletion.
- In 2018, 279 was officially introduced as the overlay for 916, ensuring a continuous supply of numbers for customers and businesses.
- Local residents already using the 916 area code were able to keep their existing numbers, while new lines within the same territory have since been assigned 279.
For further information on area code program administration and related decisions, please see the California Public Utilities Commission's official webpage on area code expansions.
How Many People Use the 279 Area Code?
Area Code 279, combined with the original 916 coverage area, caters to over two million residents in the metropolitan Sacramento region. Exact utilization figures evolve as the population and the need for new phone numbers grow. According to the Federal Communications Commission (445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554), which regulates interstate telecommunications, area code overlays are implemented to ensure ongoing availability of phone numbers.
For the most precise count of assigned lines, please refer to the FCC’s guidelines on numbering resources. Often, the population covered by 279 includes individuals who migrate from nearby locales, students attending universities in the area, and businesses expanding operations. Key factors influencing usage statistics include:
- Economic development projects
- Ongoing construction of new housing communities
- Increasing adoption of mobile devices
Is the 279 Area Code Toll-Free?
The 279 area code is not classified as a toll-free code. Standard local or long-distance charges apply depending on your telephone service plan. Toll-free numbers in the United States customarily start with specific three-digit prefixes such as 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, or 833. These toll-free prefixes are regulated separately under the FCC’s guidelines for toll-free phone numbers.
Residents and organizations within the 279/916 overlay typically do not receive specialized toll-free benefits just by virtue of their local area code. Instead, the region follows normal provisions governing geographic phone codes, including:
- Mandatory 1 + ten-digit dialing within the overlay territory
- Standard local calling rates depending on carrier agreements
- Possible additional fees for certain business or long-distance calls
For any inquiries regarding the assignment and regulation of toll-free numbers, it is advisable to contact the Federal Communications Commission at 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554 or consult their official guidelines linked above.