Where Is Area Code 502?
Area code 502 serves north-central Kentucky. Louisville is the primary city, and the code covers Louisville Metro and nearby communities along and near the Ohio River.
The 502 service area includes all or parts of Jefferson, Franklin, Oldham, Shelby, Scott, Anderson, Bullitt, Carroll, Nelson, Henry, Owen, Spencer, and Trimble counties. Other important communities include Frankfort, Georgetown, Bardstown, Shelbyville, La Grange, Lawrenceburg, and Taylorsville.
Notable landmarks in the area include Churchill Downs, the University of Louisville, and the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville. Frankfort, which also uses 502, is home to the Kentucky State Capitol and sits along the Kentucky River.
Cities and Communities in the 502 Area Code
- Louisville, Jefferson County
- Frankfort, Franklin County
- Bardstown, Nelson County
- Georgetown, Scott County
- Shelbyville, Shelby County
- La Grange, Oldham County
- Lawrenceburg, Anderson County
- Shepherdsville, Bullitt County
- Mount Washington, Bullitt County
- Taylorsville, Spencer County
- Carrollton, Carroll County
- Owenton, Owen County
- New Castle, Henry County
- Eminence, Henry County
- Bedford, Trimble County
- Simpsonville, Shelby County
- Crestwood, Oldham County
History of Area Code 502
Area code 502 was established in 1947 as one of the original North American Numbering Plan area codes. It initially covered the entire state of Kentucky.
Kentucky's eastern region received area code 606 in 1954 through a geographic split from 502. In 1999, area code 270 was created through another split from 502 to serve much of western Kentucky. The splits added numbering capacity as the state's telephone network grew. Area code 502 is a geographic code and does not currently have an overlay area code.
Key Facts About Area Code 502
- Area code 502 is a geographic area code in Kentucky, with Louisville as its primary city.
- Area code 502 is associated with Kentucky's Deep South region.
- Area code 502 is one of the original North American Numbering Plan codes assigned in 1947.
- Area code 502 has no current overlay code covering the same geographic territory.
- Louisville, the largest city in the 502 region, is located on the Ohio River.
- The University of Louisville is located within the 502 service area.
- Churchill Downs in Louisville hosts the Kentucky Derby.
- The Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort is within the 502 service area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state is area code 502 in?
Area code 502 is in Kentucky.
What major cities use area code 502?
Major cities using area code 502 include Louisville, Frankfort, Georgetown, Bardstown, Shelbyville, La Grange, Lawrenceburg, and Taylorsville.
What time zone is area code 502 in?
Area code 502 observes Eastern Time, including Eastern Standard Time in winter and Eastern Daylight Time in summer.
Is area code 502 a toll-free number?
No. Area code 502 is a geographic area code assigned to a specific region of Kentucky, not a toll-free code.