Which States Have Only One Area Code?
Eleven states have one area code covering the whole state. The list below shows each one with the code and a note on where it applies, so you can match a number you see to the state it belongs to.
| State | Area code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 907 | Covers the whole state, including Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau |
| Delaware | 302 | Covers all three counties |
| Hawaii | 808 | Covers all islands |
| Maine | 207 | Covers the whole state, including Portland and Bangor |
| Montana | 406 | Covers the whole state, including Billings and Missoula |
| New Hampshire | 603 | Covers the whole state, including Manchester and Concord |
| North Dakota | 701 | Covers the whole state, including Fargo and Bismarck |
| Rhode Island | 401 | Covers the whole state, including Providence |
| South Dakota | 605 | Covers the whole state, including Sioux Falls |
| Vermont | 802 | Covers the whole state, including Burlington |
| Wyoming | 307 | Covers the whole state, including Cheyenne |
Two clarifications help avoid confusion. First, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico are not states, and both have more than one code (202 and 771 for D.C., 787 and 939 for Puerto Rico). Second, some states people assume have one code do not. West Virginia added 681 as an overlay to 304, Idaho added 986 to 208, and Nebraska and Mississippi have more than one code as well, so a single code is no guarantee of a small state.
Why Do Some States Have Only One Area Code?
A state keeps a single area code when its demand for phone numbers stays below what one code can supply. Each area code can hold about 7.9 million usable numbers, so a state needs a second code only when lines, mobile phones and other devices use up most of that supply.
Population and density The simplest reason is size of demand. Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska and the Dakotas have small populations, so even with a mobile phone, a work line and a few connected devices per person, the count of numbers in use stays manageable. A state with tens of millions of people uses numbers far faster.
History of the original plan When the North American Numbering Plan introduced area codes in 1947, many states were given a single code to start with. Larger states were split into several codes early, while smaller ones stayed whole. Since then, a handful of states have kept the code assigned to them rather than needing to subdivide.
Number conservation Regulators can stretch a code by reclaiming unused numbers, handing out numbers in smaller blocks, and limiting how many carriers hold large unused blocks. Maine's Public Utilities Commission and Montana's Public Service Commission have both used this approach to delay adding a second code.
Overlay avoidance Adding a second code usually means an overlay, where a new code covers the same area and everyone dials ten digits. For a small state, many officials prefer to avoid that disruption to residents and local businesses for as long as conservation can keep the original code working.
Is Maine Getting a New Area Code?
Maine is not getting a new area code at this time. The 207 code remains the state's only code, and the Maine Public Utilities Commission has said it expects to keep it through conservation measures. Forecasts have moved several times, so check the latest figures before you rely on a date.
The pattern shows how this works. Maine's regulators announced in April 2025 that the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) had pushed its forecast for the 207 code to run out of numbers out to 2045, up from an earlier 2036 projection. In late October 2025, a further NANPA projection extended the estimate to the first quarter of 2050, and the Maine PUC credited the state's conservation work for the delay. These are forecasts, not guarantees, and NANPA updates them regularly using carrier demand data.
What would happen if Maine did need a second code Regulators would most likely add an overlay rather than split the state, because splits force part of the population to change numbers. With an overlay, existing numbers stay the same, new numbers could be assigned the new code, and everyone in the area dials ten digits for local calls.
What business owners in Maine should do now Nothing changes today. If you already have a 207 number, you keep it. If you are choosing a new one, you can still get a local number with the 207 code, and you do not need to plan around a change that forecasts place decades away.
What Happens When a Single Area Code Runs Low?
When a code is projected to run out, a numbering authority and the state regulator choose between two main fixes: conserve numbers to extend the code, or add a new code. The steps below show the usual sequence.
- NANPA forecasts exhaust: NANPA, which administers the North American Numbering Plan, projects when a code will run out of unassigned numbers based on how fast carriers are requesting them.
- The state regulator reviews options: The state's utility or public service commission reviews the forecast and decides whether to request conservation authority, plan an overlay, or plan a split.
- Conservation is tried first: Tools include number pooling (assigning numbers in blocks of 1,000 instead of 10,000), reclaiming numbers carriers are not using and tighter rules for requesting new blocks.
- An overlay or split is planned if conservation is not enough: An overlay adds a second code to the same area, while a split divides the area so one part gets the new code.
- Customers are notified and a transition period begins: Phone companies tell customers about the change, and ten-digit dialing usually begins before new numbers are assigned.
Several single-code states have been in this process. New Hampshire reported a NANPA warning that 603 could run out as early as 2027, and its governor and legislature pursued conservation measures modeled on Maine's. North Dakota's regulators asked the FCC in 2021 for authority to reclaim unused numbers so that 701 could stay a single code. Because these projections move, treat any specific year as a snapshot.
How a Single Area Code Affects Businesses
A statewide area code gives every business in the state the same local identity, which can help a small company look established across the whole state. It also means you cannot signal a specific city through the code alone, and you may find your preferred digits already taken.
Statewide recognition Customers in Burlington and Brattleboro both see 802 and treat it as local. For a business that serves a whole state, that shared code removes any sense that a caller is from another region. This is part of why area codes still matter for business branding even as most calls move to mobile.
Less city-level signaling In a state with several codes, a code can tell the customer which part of the state you are in. With a single code, the first three digits can't do that, so city or neighborhood has to be conveyed in your website, listings and greeting.
Number availability Because everyone in the state draws from one code, popular number patterns can be taken quickly. If you want a memorable ending or a specific sequence, see how to get a specific phone number and be prepared to check several options.
Contact rates and trust Many people are more likely to answer a call that looks local. A local-looking number is not a substitute for a clear caller ID name, and you should never display a number you do not control or are not authorized to use.
How to Get a Number in a Single-Code State
You can get a phone number with any of these area codes without moving there, as long as the provider has inventory for that code. The steps below show the typical path for a business.
Step 1: Decide what the number will do, such as a main line, a sales line or a text-enabled number.
Step 2: Choose the state and area code that matches your customers.
Step 3: Search for available numbers with that code and pick one you can use on your website and printed materials.
Step 4: Set up forwarding, hours and voicemail so calls reach the right person on any device.
Step 5: Keep your existing number if you already have one, and port it rather than replacing it, since customers already know it.
A virtual phone number works over the internet rather than a fixed line, so you can hold a 307 number in Wyoming or an 808 number in Hawaii while your team works elsewhere. Availability of any particular code depends on the provider and the number type, and rules differ for business and personal use. This is general information, not legal advice, and you should confirm any registration or caller ID requirements that apply to your situation.
Related Facts About US Area Codes
Area codes follow rules set under the North American Numbering Plan, which covers the US, Canada and several Caribbean countries. Knowing a few of those rules makes it easier to read a number correctly.
Format A US number has 10 digits: a three-digit area code, a three-digit central office code and a four-digit line number. For the area code, the first digit is 2 through 9, and the second and third digits cannot follow the patterns reserved for special uses.
Geographic and non-geographic codes Most area codes map to a region. Some, such as 800 and its toll-free relatives, are non-geographic and work nationwide.
Overlays and ten-digit dialing Where two or more codes cover the same area, you must dial the area code even for local calls. Single-code states have traditionally allowed seven-digit local dialing, though dialing rules can change, so check your carrier or state regulator for the rule that applies where you are.
For the full national picture, including how many codes exist, see the explanation in how many area codes are in the US.
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Eleven US states rely on one statewide area code: Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming. They stay that way because demand for numbers is lower and regulators have stretched their codes through conservation. Forecasts for exhaust dates shift often, so rely on the state regulator and NANPA for current status.
If you want a number tied to one of these states, Calilio is a cloud business phone system, and every plan includes a free US, Canada, or UK local number and a monthly bundle of free minutes and SMS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What states have only one area code?
Eleven states have a single statewide area code: Alaska (907), Delaware (302), Hawaii (808), Maine (207), Montana (406), New Hampshire (603), North Dakota (701), Rhode Island (401), South Dakota (605), Vermont (802) and Wyoming (307). Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico are not states and have more than one code.
How many states have only one area code?
Eleven states. The count can change if a state adds an overlay, so check your state's regulator or NANPA for the latest status before relying on any list.
Is Maine the only state with one area code?
No. Maine uses 207 statewide, but ten other states also have one code each. Maine gets extra attention because regulators there have worked publicly to extend 207 through number conservation.
Is Maine getting a new area code?
Not currently. Maine's 207 remains the only code, and NANPA's latest forecasts reported by Maine news outlets push the exhaust date out decades, to the first quarter of 2050 in the October 2025 projection. Forecasts are updated regularly, so confirm with the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
Why does Montana only have one area code?
Montana has a small population spread across a large area, so demand for numbers is lower than in dense states. In 2017 the state's Public Service Commission also announced it would keep 406 through at least 2031 by reclaiming unused numbers.
Does Idaho only have one area code?
No. Idaho has 208 and the 986 overlay, so it is not a single-code state. Calls within the area need ten-digit dialing.
What is the largest state with one area code?
By land area, Alaska (907) is the largest single-code state by a wide margin. By population, Hawaii, Maine and New Hampshire are close together at roughly 1.4 million residents each, so check current Census figures for the exact order.
Which state has the most area codes?
California has the most area codes of any state, with dozens of geographic codes and overlays. High-demand metro areas such as Los Angeles, New York and Dallas also need several codes each.
Can I get a phone number with a single-state area code if I do not live there?
Often yes. Many providers offer virtual numbers in specific area codes, subject to availability. Rules vary by number type, and some providers ask for documents, so check the requirements for your case.
Does having a statewide area code mean fewer scam calls?
No. Scam calls often use spoofed numbers that look local, regardless of area code. Treat unknown callers carefully and report suspicious calls to the FCC or FTC.