Where Is Area Code 212?
Area code 212 primarily serves Manhattan, the central borough of New York City, in New York State's Mid-Atlantic region. Its main geographic area corresponds to New York County, which covers the borough of Manhattan.
New York City is the only incorporated city associated with the 212 geographic area. Communities in the area include Harlem, Midtown, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, SoHo, and the Upper East and Upper West sides.
Manhattan lies between the Hudson River and the East River. Notable landmarks and institutions within the area include Central Park, Times Square, the Empire State Building, Wall Street, Columbia University, and New York University.
Cities and Communities in the 212 Area Code
- New York City, New York County (Manhattan)
History of Area Code 212
Area code 212 was established in 1947 as one of the original 86 area codes in the North American Numbering Plan. It originally served all five New York City boroughs.
In 1984, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island were separated from 212 and received area code 718, while Manhattan retained 212. As demand for telephone numbers increased, area code 917 became a New York City overlay in 1992, area code 646 was added as a Manhattan overlay in 1999, and area code 332 was added as another Manhattan overlay in 2017. These overlays allowed new numbers to use the same geographic area without changing the existing boundaries.
Key Facts About Area Code 212
- State and primary city: Area code 212 is in New York State, and its primary city is New York City.
- Main county: The main geographic area for area code 212 is Manhattan, which corresponds to New York County.
- Population reference: New York County had 1,694,251 residents in the 2020 U.S. Census. This is a county population figure, not an exact count of area code 212 subscribers.
- Region and time zone: Area code 212 is in the Mid-Atlantic region and uses Eastern Time.
- Type and origin: Area code 212 is a geographic area code and was one of the original 86 North American area codes created in 1947.
- 1984 split: Area code 718 separated the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island from the original 212 territory in 1984.
- Overlays: Area code 917 covers New York City, while area codes 646 and 332 overlay Manhattan.
- Landmarks and institutions: Central Park, Times Square, the Empire State Building, Columbia University, and New York University are in the 212 geographic area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state is area code 212 in?
Area code 212 is in New York.
What major cities use area code 212?
New York City is the major city associated with area code 212, especially Manhattan.
What time zone is area code 212 in?
Area code 212 is in Eastern Time.
Is area code 212 a toll-free number?
No. Area code 212 is a geographic area code, so it is not a toll-free number.