Athens, Ohio

Where Is Area Code 740?

Area code 740 is in Ohio. It serves a large part of southeastern and central Ohio, including Athens and many smaller cities, towns, and rural communities. The area code covers land outside the Columbus core, with many communities spread across the Appalachian foothills and central parts of the state.

Major places in area code 740 include Athens, Lancaster, Newark, Marietta, Portsmouth, Zanesville, Cambridge, Chillicothe, and Steubenville. Counties served include Athens County and many other counties across eastern, southern, and central Ohio. The area is broad and includes college towns, river cities, and farming communities.

Notable geographic features in the 740 region include the Hocking Hills area, the Muskingum River, the Ohio River along the state's eastern and southern edge, and the Appalachian Plateau in southeastern Ohio. In Athens, Ohio University is one of the best-known landmarks and institutions in the area.

History of Area Code 740

Area code 740 was created on November 27, 1997. It was split from area code 614, which had served a much larger part of Ohio before the split. The split happened as demand for new phone numbers grew in central and southeastern Ohio.

Area code 220 now overlays area code 740. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved the 220 overlay in 2014, and 10-digit dialing became necessary in the 740 region before 220 numbers were assigned. This change let the same geographic area keep adding phone numbers without another geographic split.

Key Facts About Area Code 740

• Area code 740 is in the state of Ohio.
• Athens is one of the cities in area code 740.
• Area code 740 was created on November 27, 1997, in a split from area code 614.
• Area code 220 is an overlay for the same region as area code 740.
• Area code 740 is in the Eastern Time Zone.
• Ohio University in Athens uses area code 740 for many local numbers.
• The 740 service area includes cities such as Newark, Lancaster, Chillicothe, Zanesville, Marietta, Portsmouth, and Cambridge.
• The region includes notable places such as Hocking Hills and parts of the Ohio River valley.

Frequently Asked Questions

What state is area code 740 in?

Area code 740 is in Ohio.

What major cities use area code 740?

Major cities in area code 740 include Athens, Newark, Lancaster, Zanesville, Chillicothe, Marietta, Portsmouth, Cambridge, and Steubenville.

Is area code 740 a toll-free number?

No. Area code 740 is a geographic area code in Ohio.