Hubbry Logo
Area codes 816 and 975Area codes 816 and 975Main
Open search
Area codes 816 and 975
Community hub
Area codes 816 and 975
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Area codes 816 and 975
Area codes 816 and 975
Area codes 816 and 975
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Area codes 816 and 975 are telephone area codes in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) for most of the Missouri side of the Kansas City metropolitan area, the St. Joseph area, and all or part of 15 surrounding counties in northwestern Missouri.

Upon its establishment as one of the original 86 area codes in 1947, area code 816 designated the western part of Missouri. bordering with Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. The numbering plan area was reduced in 1950 and 1997, and converted to an overlay complex with area code 975 in 2002.

History

[edit]

When the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) created a universal North American telephone numbering plan for Operator Toll Dialing in 1947, Missouri was divided into two numbering plan areas (NPAs). Area code 816 served points generally north and west of Columbia and Jefferson City, while area code 314 served the eastern third of the state, including St. Louis. In 1950, a third NPA with area code 417 was created for southwestern Missouri, including the cities of Branson, Joplin, and Springfield. This reduced 816 to the northern third of Missouri, including the Kansas City metropolitan area. Despite roughly doubling the population in the Kansas City metropolitan area during the second half of the 20th century, area code 816 retained its 1951 boundaries for 45 years.

By late 1996, the proliferation of cell phones and market reforms related to deregulation by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 required an additional area code for northern Missouri. On April 10, 1997, Southwestern Bell declared a Jeopardy Situation with the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC), which oversees telecommunications in the state, and the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA).[1] On July 28, 1997, Bellcore and the NANPA, announced an area code split, in which the Kansas City metropolitan area and the St. Joseph area would retain area code 816, while the remainder of the NPA would receive the new area code 660.[2] Area code 660 comprised the rural eastern and northwestern portions of the then-current 816 area to minimize disruption to subscribers in the more densely populated urban areas.[3] The rate centers of Lexington (259) and Warrensburg (429) moved to 660, despite being generally considered a part of the Kansas City area.

On June 4, 1997, the MPSC announced the split for October 12, 1997, when a permissive dialing period would commenced, until April 19, 1998, during which long-distance calls to the 660 territory could be completed using either 816 or 660.

In 2000, the Missouri PSC announced plans to create an overlay plan for the numbering plan area. On February 20, 2001, the overlay was approved by the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA),[4] by assigning area code 975 for service starting October 20, 2001, which was later postponed to May 5, 2002.[5] The subsequent implementation of code preservation measures, such as number pooling, eliminated the immediate need for additional central office prefixes, prompting the MPSC to suspend implementation indefinitely.[6] Despite Kansas City's continued growth, the Kansas City area was served by only 816 for over twenty additional years.

Prior to October 2021, area code 816 had telephone numbers assigned for the central office code 988. In 2020, 988 was designated nationwide as a dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which created a conflict for exchanges that permit seven-digit dialing. This area code was therefore scheduled to transition to ten-digit dialing by October 24, 2021.[7]

An October 2021 exhaust analysis by the NANPA projected central office code exhaustion by 2023.[8] As a result, an overlay with area code 975 was scheduled with an in-service date of October 13, 2023.[9][10][11] As ten-digit dialing was already in place, a permissive dialing period was not necessary.

Service area

[edit]

Major cities

[edit]

Other cities

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Area codes 816 and 975

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Area codes 816 and 975 are telephone area codes in the (NANP) that serve the northwestern portion of , including the and surrounding communities such as Independence, Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, , Gladstone, Raytown, Grandview, and St. Joseph. Area code 816 was established on October 1, 1947, as one of the original 86 area codes created under the initial NANP plan, originally covering much of northwestern and north-central . Over time, its boundaries were adjusted through splits: in 1951, portions were realigned with neighboring codes, and on October 12, 1997, the northeastern section was split off to form , reducing 816 to its current footprint centered on the Kansas City region. The introduction of area code 975 addresses the exhaustion of available telephone numbers in the 816 region, which was projected in early 2023 to occur in the second quarter of 2024 due to and increased demand for mobile and VoIP services. An overlay plan for 816 was first approved by the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC) on October 24, 2000, but implementation was delayed until 2023 following successful number conservation efforts. The new code became available for assignment on August 8, 2023, with full activation for new telephone services and additional lines starting October 13, 2023; existing 816 customers retain their numbers without mandatory changes. Following the overlay, updated projections as of April 2025 indicate exhaustion is not expected until the third quarter of 2077. Since the overlay's implementation, all local calls within the region require 10-digit dialing (area code plus seven-digit number), a requirement that was already in place since October 24, 2021, to accommodate the national suicide and crisis lifeline. The codes operate in the and do not affect calling rates or service boundaries, ensuring seamless coverage across the 13 counties in western served by the region.

History

Establishment of 816

Area code 816 was established in 1947, as one of the original 86 numbering plan areas (NPAs) in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), developed by AT&T to enable direct-dial long-distance calling across the United States and Canada. The creation of the NANP, including 816, responded to surging post-World War II demand for telephone service, as household penetration rose from about 45% in 1945 to over 75% by the late 1950s, necessitating a structured system to manage expanding networks and reduce reliance on operator-assisted calls. In Missouri, this led to the division of the state into dedicated NPAs separate from the existing infrastructure dominated by area code 314 in the east, allowing for more efficient allocation of telephone numbers in growing regions. Initially, 816 encompassed the western portion of , including Kansas City, St. Joseph, Springfield, Joplin, and surrounding rural areas, serving as a key part of AT&T's integration. Early infrastructure developments involved assigning central office prefixes— the three digits following the area code—to local exchanges within this territory, facilitating the connection of subscribers to the nationwide long-distance network under oversight. Subsequent territorial reductions occurred over time to accommodate .

20th-century splits

In 1950, area code 816 underwent its first territorial reduction when it was split to create , which covered southwestern including the Springfield and Joplin regions. This adjustment, planned by and the as part of ongoing refinements to the (NANP), allowed 816 to focus on the northern and northwestern portions of the state while accommodating population growth and telephone demand in the south. The boundary changes ensured that 816 retained its core coverage of the on the side, adjacent to but separate from the Kansas side served by the preexisting area code 913. The second major split occurred in 1997 amid projections of central office code exhaustion within 816 due to rapid subscriber growth in northwestern . On April 10, 1997, the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved the creation of , effective October 12, 1997, for rural northern and central counties such as those encompassing Sedalia, Kirksville, and Maryville, while preserving 816 for the and St. Joseph. Bellcore (predecessor to the ) and the coordinated the technical aspects, including a six-month permissive dialing period during which customers in the affected regions could retain their 816 numbers before mandatory changeover. These 20th-century splits progressively narrowed the geographic scope of area code 816, transforming it from a broad regional code to one centered on the densely populated Kansas City area and its immediate northwestern surroundings, thereby optimizing resource allocation under NANP administration and state regulatory oversight.

Introduction of 975 overlay

The Public Service Commission (MPSC) initially approved an overlay plan for area code 816 with new area code 975 on October 24, 2000, alongside a similar proposal for the 314 area code, in response to projections that 816's central office codes would exhaust by 2006. This all-services overlay would superimpose 975 across the entire 816 region without changing existing numbers or requiring geographic splits. Implementation faced early delays; on April 17, 2001, the MPSC extended the permissive and mandatory 10-digit dialing periods for the 816/975 overlay to May 5, 2002, and September 8, 2002, respectively, to allow further evaluation. However, on September 25, 2001, the MPSC indefinitely suspended the plan due to updated exhaust projections showing slower depletion rates from number conservation measures and public feedback favoring alternatives to overlays. The overlay was revived in 2022 after a 2021 exhaust analysis by , the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), forecasted 816's central office code depletion by late 2023, prompting the MPSC to reaffirm the original plan. The MPSC granted final approval on January 30, 2023, establishing August 8, 2023, as the earliest date for new 975 number assignments and October 13, 2023, as the in-service activation date. Under the overlay, all new telephone services, additional lines, and number requests in the 816 region are assigned 975 codes once available, while existing 816 numbers remain unaffected and retain their original area code. This implementation built on the mandatory 10-digit local dialing transition, completed by October 24, 2021, across the 816 and other Missouri area codes to accommodate the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline rollout. As of 2025, the 816/975 overlay operates in full effect, with no additional relief measures planned.

Service area

Major cities

The major population centers served by area codes 816 and 975 are primarily located in the Missouri portion of the , forming the economic and cultural core of the region. , is the largest city within this overlay, with a 2024 population of 516,032, serving as the primary urban core and a major economic hub driven by industries such as transportation, logistics, and healthcare. The city's strategic location at the confluence of major rail lines and interstates has solidified its role in freight distribution and manufacturing, while its healthcare sector includes prominent institutions like the and , employing tens of thousands and supporting advanced . Independence, with a 2024 population of 121,629, is a key immediately east of Kansas City, known for its historical significance as an outpost on the , which originated here in the early as a vital connecting to the Southwest. This legacy is preserved through sites like the Center and contributes to its identity as a historic gateway community within the metropolitan area. Lee's Summit, an affluent southern with a 2024 population of 106,419, has experienced rapid growth, particularly in technology and education sectors, bolstered by institutions such as the Summit Technology Academy and the University of Central Missouri's Lee's Summit campus, which offer programs in and workforce development. Blue Springs, a family-oriented northeast of Kansas City with a 2024 population of 61,246, emphasizes community living and benefits from its proximity to , approximately 60 miles southeast, which influences local employment and housing patterns for military families. Mid-sized such as Raytown (2024 population: 29,244), (31,245), Gladstone (27,579), and Grandview (26,630) each exemplify patterns of residential and commercial development, with ongoing projects including new housing subdivisions, retail centers, and mixed-use revitalizations that support suburban expansion and local economies. These area codes cover only the Missouri portions of border communities in the , excluding the Kansas side, such as , which falls under area code 913.

Other cities and towns

St. Joseph, with a 2024 population of 71,098, serves as the northern anchor of the 816/975 area codes and is located in Buchanan County. It holds historical significance as the starting point of the in 1860, where the first rider departed from the city's stables to deliver mail westward. The local economy features a strong sector, employing about 6,500 people and including pharmaceuticals and . Beyond St. Joseph, the 816/975 territory encompasses numerous rural towns with populations under 10,000, such as Savannah in Andrew County (about 5,100 residents), Richmond in Ray County (around 5,800), Maysville in DeKalb County (roughly 1,100), in Lafayette County (approximately 5,300), in Bates County (about 2,200), in Johnson County (around 2,000), and Lawson in Ray County (roughly 2,500). These communities primarily support agricultural activities, including crop farming and , alongside small businesses in retail, services, and local . The area codes cover portions of approximately 15 counties in northwestern , with full service in Clay, Platte, Jackson, Cass, and Buchanan counties, and partial coverage in , Caldwell, Clinton, Lafayette, Ray, DeKalb, Johnson, and Bates counties, among others. These non-metro areas feature a blend of suburban development near urban edges and expansive farmlands dedicated to row crops like corn and soybeans. The overall numbering plan area supports a total population of about 1.5 million residents.

Adjacent area codes

The area codes 816 and 975 share borders with area codes 660 to the east, 785 to the north, and 913 to the west along the state line. The eastern border with 660 runs along rural counties in northern , such as parts of Lafayette, Johnson, and Henry counties, separating the St. Joseph metropolitan area in the northwest from the Sedalia and Warrensburg regions in central ; this boundary was established by the split of 660 from the original 816 territory. To the north, the boundary with 785 follows the - state line north of St. Joseph in Buchanan and counties, primarily impacting rural telephone exchanges rather than urban centers. The western and southern borders with 913 align closely with the Missouri-Kansas state line, extending through Jackson and Cass counties in the ; this division reflects the interstate nature of the region, where the 816/975 codes serve the portion while 913 covers the portion. Despite the economic integration across the Kansas City metro, the split numbering plan areas prevent a unified code, and local calls between 816/975 and 913 require 10-digit dialing. These boundaries have remained stable since the 1997 creation of 660 and the 2023 implementation of the 975 overlay on 816.

References

  1. https://www.allareacodes.com/816
  2. https://psc.mo.gov/Telecommunications/A_New_Area_Code_is_Coming_to_the_816_Area_Code_Region--pr-23-133
  3. https://www.rozper.com/blog/816-area-code/
  4. https://www.att.com/scmsassets/support/other/0923mo-tagged.pdf
  5. https://www.nanpa.com/sites/default/files/2025-04/2025-1NPAExhaustProjectionsFinal.pdf
  6. https://psc.mo.gov/Telecommunications/Telephone_NumbersLocal_Dialing
  7. https://www.nanpa.com/about
  8. https://www.nytimes.com/1947/04/06/archives/telephone-system-vast-and-complex-rapid-growth-since-the-war-has.html
  9. https://www.allareacodes.com/missouri_area_codes.htm
  10. https://www.lincmad.com/table1947.html
  11. https://www.vitelglobal.com/local-numbers/missouri/417-area-code
  12. https://psc.mo.gov/CMSInternetData/PSConnection/history.pdf
  13. https://www.efis.psc.mo.gov/Document/Display/273186
  14. https://datacommons.org/place/geoId/2938000
  15. https://www.thinkkc.com/business/industries
  16. https://www.missouri-demographics.com/independence-demographics
  17. https://www.nps.gov/safe/learn/historyculture/index.htm
  18. https://datacommons.org/place/geoId/2941348
  19. https://cityofls.net/city-of-lees-summit/demographics-stats
  20. https://www.leessummit.org/site-selection/target-industries/information-technology/
  21. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/bluespringscitymissouri/HSG445222
  22. https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/blue-springs-jackson-mo/
  23. https://datacommons.org/place/geoId/2960788
  24. https://www.missouri-demographics.com/liberty-demographics
  25. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/gladstonecitymissouri/AGE775224
  26. https://datacommons.org/place/geoId/2928324
  27. https://www.raytown.mo.us/vertical/sites/%257B3A1DBD03-39C2-43FA-8CC9-95B16E6438CB%257D/uploads/CHAPTER_13_Future_Development.pdf
  28. https://www.libertymissouri.gov/2722/Commercial-Developments
  29. https://www.gladstone.mo.us/CommunityDev/
  30. https://grandviewmoed.com/
  31. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/stjosephcitymissouri/PST045224
  32. https://www.stjosephmo.gov/371/The-Pony-Express
  33. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/st-joseph-mo
  34. https://www.zip-codes.com/area-code/area-code-816.asp
  35. https://www.goodcall.com/business-phone-number/816-area-code
  36. https://www.zipdatamaps.com/area-code-816
  37. https://psc.mo.gov/CMSInternetData/Telecommunications/ReferenceMaterial/Maps/816%20Area%20Code.pdf
  38. https://www.att.com/support/article/home-phone/KM1212596/
  39. https://www.nanpa.com/sites/default/files/planning_letters/PL-597.pdf
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.