Chico, California

Where Is Area Code 530?

Area code 530 is in northern California. It serves a large inland region north of Sacramento and covers much of the northeastern part of the state. Chico is one of the best-known cities in the 530 area code.

Area code 530 covers communities in the northern Sacramento Valley, the Sierra Nevada, and the far northern part of California. Major cities and communities in the area include Chico, Redding, Davis, Yuba City, South Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Grass Valley, Nevada City, Red Bluff, Susanville, and Placerville. It serves parts of many counties, including Butte, Shasta, Yolo, Sutter, Nevada, El Dorado, Lassen, Siskiyou, Tehama, Glenn, Colusa, and Placer counties.

Area code 530 includes major natural and regional landmarks. These include Lake Tahoe on the California side, Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and large stretches of the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Nevada. The area also includes university communities and mountain towns with widely different geography.

History of Area Code 530

Area code 530 was created on November 1, 1997. It was split from area code 916, which had served a much larger part of inland northern California before the split. The split happened because the region needed more phone numbers as population and telecommunications demand grew.

Area code 530 later received an overlay. Area code 837 was approved as an overlay for the same geographic region, which means both codes serve the same territory. The California Public Utilities Commission approved the 837 overlay in 2022, and 10-digit dialing became required in the 530 region before the overlay took effect.

Key Facts About Area Code 530

• Area code 530 is in California, and Chico is one of its major cities.
• Area code 530 is in the Pacific Time Zone.
• Area code 530 was created on November 1, 1997, in a split from area code 916.
• Area code 530 is a geographic area code, not a toll-free code.
• Area code 837 is the overlay for area code 530, and both codes serve the same region.
• Area code 530 covers a large part of inland northern California, including cities such as Redding, Chico, Davis, Yuba City, South Lake Tahoe, and Truckee.
• California State University, Chico is in Chico and uses the 530 calling region.
• Major landmarks in the 530 region include Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and the California side of Lake Tahoe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What state is area code 530 in?

Area code 530 is in California.

What major cities use area code 530?

Major cities in area code 530 include Chico, Redding, Davis, Yuba City, South Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Grass Valley, Nevada City, Red Bluff, Susanville, and Placerville.

Is area code 530 a toll-free number?

No. Area code 530 is a geographic area code.