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Sent TeamMay 3, 2025 / area code / Article

Area Code 309 in Illinois: Location, Cities, and Telecom Details

Area code 309 serves west-central Illinois, including Bloomington and Peoria. Learn about its 861 overlay, implemented to prevent number exhaustion. Details its 1957 origin, transition to ten-digit dialing in 2021, latitude/longitude coordinates of served cities, and regulatory oversight by the ICC.

Area Code 309 in Illinois: Location, Cities, and Telecom Details

Area Code 309 is a vital telecommunications identifier for the west-central region of Illinois. It includes thriving cities such as Bloomington, Peoria, and Moline. Established in 1957, it plays a crucial role in connecting communities within the state.


Key Facts About Area Code 309

  • Location: West-central Illinois
  • Major Cities: Bloomington, Peoria, Moline
  • Established: 1957
  • Overlay Code: 861

Where is Area Code 309 Located?

Area Code 309 serves a significant portion of Illinois, covering a diverse range of cities:

CityLatitudeLongitude
Bloomington40.4842??N-88.99369??W
East Moline41.50087??N-90.4443??W
East Peoria40.66615??N-89.5801??W
Galesburg40.94782??N-90.37124??W
Moline41.5067??N-90.51513??W
Normal40.5142??N-88.99063??W
Pekin40.56754??N-89.64066??W
Peoria40.69365??N-89.58899??W
Rock Island41.50948??N-90.57875??W

Technical Specifications

  • NPA Code: 309
  • Overlay Code: 861
  • Implementation Date: 1957
  • State: Illinois

Telecom Services and Network Infrastructure

Area Code 309 supports a variety of telecommunications services, ensuring connectivity across urban and rural areas.

Major Carriers and Services

  • Landline Services
  • Wireless Services
  • VoIP Services

The introduction of overlay code 861 ensures the region can accommodate growing demand and prevent number exhaustion.


Regulatory Information

Area Code 309 is governed by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), which oversees the regulatory framework and guidelines for telecommunications in the region.

  • Dialing Requirements: Transitioned to ten-digit dialing on October 24, 2021
  • NANPA Regulations: Includes allocation of central office codes and overlay implementation

Historical Context and Milestones

  • 1947: Illinois was initially divided into four numbering plan areas.
  • 1957: Area Code 309 was created from a split of area code 815.
  • 2021: Change to ten-digit dialing to accommodate the national 988 lifeline.
  • 2023: Introduction of overlay code 861 to meet growing demand.

Conclusion and Further Resources

Area Code 309 remains a cornerstone of Illinois' telecommunications infrastructure, supporting both large cities and smaller communities. The addition of overlay code 861 ensures continued service availability.

For more detailed information, visit the Illinois Commerce Commission's official site or explore the Area Code 309 Wikipedia page.


These resources provide further insights into how area codes function and their impact on regional telecommunications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the area code for Peoria, Illinois?

Peoria, Illinois is located in area code 309.

When was area code 309 established in Illinois?

Area code 309 was established in 1957.

What is the overlay area code for 309 in Illinois?

The overlay area code for 309 is 861.

What cities are included in area code 309?

Major cities in area code 309 include Bloomington, Peoria, and Moline. Other cities include East Moline, East Peoria, Galesburg, Normal, Pekin, and Rock Island.

Why does area code 309 have an overlay code?

The overlay code 861 was introduced to meet growing demand and prevent number exhaustion in the 309 area code region.

What part of Illinois is covered by area code 309?

Area code 309 covers the west-central region of Illinois.

When did area code 309 switch to 10-digit dialing?

Area code 309 transitioned to ten-digit dialing on October 24, 2021.

What is the regulatory body for area code 309?

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) governs area code 309 and oversees telecommunications regulations in the region.

What was the reason for the 10-digit dialing change in area code 309?

The change to 10-digit dialing was implemented to accommodate the national 988 suicide prevention lifeline.

What telecommunication services are available in area code 309?

Area code 309 supports landline, wireless, and VoIP services.

What area code was 309 originally part of?

Area code 309 was created from a split of area code 815 in 1957.

When was the overlay code 861 implemented for area code 309?

Overlay code 861 was implemented for area code 309 in 2023.

Where can I find more information about area code 309 regulations?

You can find more information on the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) website.

What cities are in area code 309 Illinois?

Area code 309 in Illinois covers several cities in the west-central region of the state, including Bloomington, Peoria, and Moline. Other notable cities within this area code include East Moline, East Peoria, Galesburg, Normal, Pekin, and Rock Island. This area code has been in service since 1957.

When was area code 309 established?

Area code 309 was established in 1957. Originally, Illinois was divided into four numbering plan areas in 1947. Area code 309 was created by splitting area code 815 to accommodate the growing need for phone numbers in the west-central region.

Why does Illinois have area code 861?

Illinois uses area code 861 as an overlay for area code 309. It was introduced in 2023 to address the increasing demand for phone numbers and prevent number exhaustion in the region. This means both area codes serve the same geographic area.

How to dial a number in area code 309?

As of October 24, 2021, ten-digit dialing is required for all calls within area code 309, including local calls. This change was implemented to accommodate the national 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. You must dial both the area code and the seven-digit phone number.

What is the overlay area code for 309?

The overlay area code for 309 is 861. This means both area codes 309 and 861 serve the same geographic area in west-central Illinois. Overlay codes are implemented to provide additional phone numbers within a region without requiring a split of the existing area code.

What is area code 309 Illinois location?

Area code 309 is located in west-central Illinois, encompassing cities such as Bloomington, Peoria, and Moline. The area code serves a significant portion of the state and includes both urban and rural areas. It was established in 1957.

When should I use 10-digit dialing for 309?

You should always use 10-digit dialing (area code + number) when calling any number within area code 309, even for local calls. This requirement was implemented on October 24, 2021, to accommodate the national 988 suicide and crisis lifeline.

What telecom services are available in area code 309?

Area code 309 supports a range of telecommunications services, including landline, wireless, and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services. These services ensure connectivity for both residential and business customers throughout the region.

What is the area code 309 NPA?

NPA stands for Numbering Plan Area, and the NPA for area code 309 is, simply, 309. This three-digit code is used to identify a specific geographic region in the North American Numbering Plan.

Who regulates area code 309 in Illinois?

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) regulates area code 309. The ICC oversees the regulatory framework and guidelines for telecommunications within the state, including the allocation of central office codes and the implementation of overlay codes like 861.