Area Code 810: Location, Cities, and Usage

Area code 810 is a telephone area code serving east-central Michigan, including major cities like Flint, Port Huron, Lapeer, Burton, and Grand Blanc. Covering Genesee County, Lapeer County, and portions of five other counties, this Michigan area code operates in the Eastern Time Zone and requires 10-digit dialing for all local calls since October 2021. Whether you're a developer building telecommunications applications, a business securing 810 phone numbers for your operations, or someone researching 810's geographic coverage and dialing requirements, this guide covers everything from the area code's 1993 creation to current regulatory frameworks governing Michigan telecommunications.

This guide covers the technical aspects, history, regulatory framework, and practical implementation details you need for telecommunications systems in the 810 region.

Where Is Area Code 810 Located? Geographic Coverage

Area code 810 covers eastern Michigan, serving major cities and counties vital to the state's economy. The 810 numbering plan area (NPA) spans 59 cities across 8 counties, mixing urban centers with rural communities throughout east-central Michigan. This Michigan phone area code includes the southern portion of the Thumb region and borders five other area codes.

Population and Demographics

Area code 810 serves approximately 3.1 million people across its geographic coverage area. The region features diverse demographics with significant economic activity centered in manufacturing, healthcare, and retail sectors.

• Major Population Centers: Genesee County (population ~404,000 as of 2023) anchors the area code region with Flint as its largest city (81,252 at 2020 census). Port Huron (~28,300), Burton (~29,700), and Grand Blanc support additional population density across St. Clair and northern Oakland counties.
• Economic Profile: Genesee County's economy employs ~173,000 people with major industries including Manufacturing (30,347 employees), Health Care & Social Assistance (28,035), and Retail Trade (22,870). Median household income stands at $60,673 (2023), with a median age of 40.6 years.
• Ethnic Composition: The region is predominantly White (Non-Hispanic) at 70.6%, followed by Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) at 19.2%. The demographic makeup reflects Michigan's industrial heritage and ongoing economic transition.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census; Data USA - Genesee County, MI, accessed 2025; Zip-Codes.com Area Code 810, accessed 2025.

• Key Cities: Flint, Port Huron, Lapeer, Burton, and Grand Blanc form the most prominent cities within 810. These cities feature industrial heritage, Great Lakes proximity, and diverse populations. The area code also includes the southern portion of Michigan's Thumb region.
• Counties Served: Genesee and Lapeer counties sit entirely within 810. The area code also covers portions of Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Sanilac, and Livingston counties, ensuring connectivity across a wide geographical area in east-central Michigan.
• North Oakland County Specifics: North Oakland County areas including Oxford, Addison Township, Brandon Township, Groveland Township, and Holly receive partial 810 service. Consider this overlap when operating businesses across county lines.
• Time Zone: All 810 area code locations operate in the Eastern Time Zone (ET) – UTC-5 during standard time and UTC-4 during daylight saving time. This time zone alignment applies to all cities served by the 810 area code, from Flint to Port Huron.

Adjacent Area Codes

Source: North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), Area Code 810 information, accessed 2025.

How Do You Dial 810 Area Code Numbers?

Follow these standards to connect local calls, toll calls, and operator-assisted calls efficiently.

• Local Calls (within 810): Dial all 10 digits (area code + 7-digit number). This became mandatory on October 24, 2021, following the nationwide transition to implement 988 as the three-digit code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. After a six-month transition period (April 24–October 24, 2021), only 10-digit dialing connects local calls.
• Toll Calls (outside 810): Dial 1 + 10-digit number (1 + area code + 7-digit number).
• Operator-Assisted Calls: Dial 0 + 10-digit number (0 + area code + 7-digit number) to reach an operator for specialized requests.
• Emergency Services: Dial 911 for immediate life-threatening situations. Dial 988 for mental health crisis support and suicide prevention.

Common Dialing Errors and Solutions

Avoid these common dialing mistakes:

• Incorrect: Dialing only 7 digits (555-1234) for local calls → Error: Call will not complete. Solution: Always dial 10 digits (810-555-1234) for all local calls within 810.
• Incorrect: Dialing 1 + 10 digits for local calls within 810 (1-810-555-1234) → Result: Call may complete but incurs potential long-distance charges. Solution: Omit the leading "1" for local calls within the same area code.
• Incorrect: Forgetting area code when calling from mobile devices → Error: Call fails or misdials. Solution: Program all contacts with full 10-digit format.
• Incorrect: Using old 7-digit dialing habits after October 2021 → Error: "Your call cannot be completed as dialed" message. Solution: Redial using full 10-digit format including 810 area code.

Sources: FCC 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Federal Communications Commission, 2025; 988 Lifeline Official Site, accessed 2025.

When Did Area Code 810 Start? History and Timeline

Area code 810 reflects Michigan's telecommunications growth and adaptation over three decades.

• Birth of 810: Area code 810 launched on December 1, 1993, splitting from area code 313 that originally served southeastern Michigan. Both area codes coexisted during a permissive dialing period until August 10, 1994, when mandatory dialing began. This split addressed surging demand for telephone numbers driven by fax machines, cellular phones, and multiple lines per household and business.
• Subsequent Splits: Rising demand triggered further splits. Area code 248 launched on May 10, 1997, to serve Oakland County. In 2001, area code 586 took over eleven rate centers in Macomb County, including Mount Clemens, Roseville, Warren, and Utica.
• Current Coverage: After these splits, area code 810 retained Genesee and Lapeer counties in their entirety, plus portions of Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Sanilac, and Livingston counties.
• Impact of 988: The 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline implementation on October 24, 2021, required 10-digit dialing within 810 and across most of the United States.

Area Code 810 Timeline

Sources: Area Code 810 – Wikipedia; NANPA Historical Area Code Information, accessed 2025.

Who Regulates Area Code 810? Regulatory Framework

Area code 810 operates under a three-tier regulatory framework: federal, North American, and state levels.

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC): The FCC oversees area code usage and numbering resource allocation at the federal level. The Commission assumed NANP responsibility following the Bell System breakup.
• North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA): NANPA administers the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) across the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and Caribbean countries. NANPA assigns area codes, allocates central office codes, and monitors numbering resource utilization. The NANP uses a 10-digit format (NXX-NXX-XXXX), where N represents digits 2–9 and X represents digits 0–9. The first three digits form the Numbering Plan Area (NPA) code – your area code.
• Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC): The MPSC regulates telecommunications services, advocates for competitive market policies, and promotes video and cable service competition. The MPSC licenses basic local exchange service providers and registers other telecommunications providers.
• Michigan Telecommunications Act (Act 179 of 1991): This Act became effective January 1, 1992, defining Michigan's regulatory framework. The Act outlines MPSC powers and duties for ensuring just, reasonable, and affordable telecommunication services.

Business Compliance Requirements

Telecommunications providers operating with 810 numbers must meet specific regulatory requirements:

• Registration: All telecommunications providers must register annually with the Michigan Public Service Commission. Different provider types have specific registration requirements: local exchange carriers (LECs) require licenses; competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs), interexchange carriers (IXCs), competitive access providers (CAPs), VoIP providers, and wireless service providers must register with the Intrastate Telecommunications Service Provider (ITSP) registry.
• Reporting Deadlines: Carriers must submit annual reports on specified dates: payphone and operator service providers (January 15), intrastate telecommunications service providers (February 1), telecommunications relay service and lifeline telephone assistance reports (April 1), and gross revenue amounts for the previous calendar year (April 30).
• Tariff Filing: Certain providers must file tariffs electronically using the MPSC E-Docket system and list tariffs on their business websites. New tariffs or revisions should be sent to commtariff@michigan.gov for review and stamping by the Telecommunications Division.
• Federal Registration: Businesses must obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and maintain registration with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, with annual filings required to continue operations.

Sources: FCC Official Website; NANPA Official Website; Michigan Legislature – Act 179 of 1991; Michigan Public Service Commission; Michigan MPSC Provider Information; Inteserra Michigan Telecom Taxes, accessed 2025.

What Should Developers and Businesses Know About Area Code 810?

Address these practical considerations when operating within the 810 area code.

How to Obtain 810 Phone Numbers

Securing phone numbers in area code 810 requires working with telecommunications carriers and service providers:

• VoIP Providers: Modern cloud-based services like OpenPhone, Talkroute, and SMS Local offer 810 numbers through online signup processes. These services typically allow you to search by city or area code during registration and provide instant provisioning for virtual numbers.
• Traditional Carriers: Major telecommunications carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) offer 810 numbers for both landline and wireless service. Contact carrier sales departments directly to check availability and initiate service orders.
• Process Timeline: Virtual numbers through VoIP providers typically provision within minutes to hours. Traditional carrier numbers may require 3–7 business days for activation, particularly for business lines requiring custom configurations.
• Number Portability: Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, you can port existing 810 numbers between carriers. The porting process takes 7–10 business days for wireless numbers and 2–4 weeks for landlines. Ensure your account is in good standing before initiating porting requests.
• Number Availability: Securing telephone numbers in 810 can be challenging – the area code has served since 1993 and underwent multiple splits. Secure numbers well in advance, especially for expansion or new service launches.
• Local Regulations: Review local telecommunications regulations specific to 810. The MPSC oversees telecommunications providers in Michigan and provides guidance on state-specific requirements.
• Integration with Adjacent Area Codes: Area code 810 borders five area codes: 248 (Oakland County), 586 (Macomb County), 989 (Saginaw/Midland/Bay City region), 734 (Ann Arbor/Monroe area), and 517 (Lansing/Jackson area). Understand these boundaries when working across multiple service areas.

NANP Format Validation Code Examples

Validate and format phone numbers according to NANP standards (NXX-NXX-XXXX format) in your telecommunications applications. The first digit of both the area code and central office code must be 2–9, while subsequent digits can be 0–9.

JavaScript/TypeScript Example:

function isValidNANPNumber(phoneNumber) {
    // Remove all non-digit characters
    const digits = phoneNumber.replace(/\D/g, '');

    // Check length (10 digits for NANP)
    if (digits.length !== 10) {
        return false;
    }

    // Validate NANP format: NXX-NXX-XXXX
    // N = digits 2-9, X = digits 0-9
    const nanpRegex = /^[2-9]\d{2}[2-9]\d{2}\d{4}$/;
    return nanpRegex.test(digits);
}

// Usage examples
console.log(isValidNANPNumber('810-555-1234')); // true
console.log(isValidNANPNumber('(810) 555-1234')); // true
console.log(isValidNANPNumber('123-456-7890')); // false (area code starts with 1)
console.log(isValidNANPNumber('810-155-7890')); // false (exchange starts with 1)

Python Example:

import re

def is_valid_nanp_number(phone_number):
    """Validate NANP phone number format."""
    # Remove all non-digit characters
    digits = re.sub(r'\D', '', phone_number)

    # Check length (10 digits for NANP)
    if len(digits) != 10:
        return False

    # Validate NANP format: NXX-NXX-XXXX
    # N = digits 2-9, X = digits 0-9
    nanp_pattern = re.compile(r'^[2-9]\d{2}[2-9]\d{2}\d{4}$')
    return bool(nanp_pattern.match(digits))

# Usage examples
print(is_valid_nanp_number('810-555-1234'))  # True
print(is_valid_nanp_number('(810) 555-1234'))  # True
print(is_valid_nanp_number('123-456-7890'))  # False
print(is_valid_nanp_number('810-155-7890'))  # False

Source: Stack Overflow - Validate Phone Number with JavaScript, accessed 2025.

Common Error Handling Scenarios

Implement robust error handling for phone number validation and dialing operations:

• Invalid Format Error: When users enter fewer than 10 digits or include alphabetic characters → Solution: Strip non-numeric characters, validate length, and provide clear error messaging: "Please enter a valid 10-digit phone number."
• Invalid NANP Prefix: When area code or exchange begins with 0 or 1 → Solution: Validate using the NXX-NXX-XXXX pattern and return specific error: "Area code and exchange must not begin with 0 or 1."
• Special Number Conflicts: When user enters 988 or 911 as part of phone number validation → Solution: Implement special handling for emergency codes and distinguish between emergency dialing and phone number storage.
• International Number Handling: When users enter numbers starting with + or country codes → Solution: Detect leading + symbol, parse country code separately, and validate remaining digits according to destination country rules. For NANP-only validation, strip leading +1 and validate remaining 10 digits.
• Null or Empty Input: When phone number fields are empty or contain only whitespace → Solution: Implement presence validation before format validation and provide user-friendly prompts.
• Testing and Troubleshooting: Test thoroughly when developing applications that interact with the telephone network. Simulate various calling scenarios: local calls (10-digit dialing within 810), long-distance calls (1 + 10-digit format), operator-assisted calls (0 + 10-digit format), and emergency services (911 and 988). Test edge cases, such as calls to and from adjacent area codes.
• Future Overlay Considerations: While no overlay area code is currently planned for 810, NANPA may introduce overlay codes if numbering resources become exhausted. An overlay would require 10-digit dialing (already mandatory) and assign a new area code to the same geographic region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is 810 a Michigan area code?

Yes. Area code 810 serves east-central Michigan, covering Flint, Port Huron, and surrounding communities in Genesee and Lapeer counties.

Q: Can I still use 7-digit dialing in area code 810?

No. 10-digit dialing became mandatory on October 24, 2021. All local calls require the full area code + 7-digit number.

Q: Will area code 810 get an overlay?

No overlay is currently planned. NANPA monitors numbering resources and will announce any changes with adequate notice.

Q: How do I port my 810 number to a new carrier?

Contact your new carrier with your account number and PIN. Wireless ports take 7–10 business days; landline ports take 2–4 weeks.

Q: What's the difference between 810, 248, and 586?

These area codes serve adjacent regions in southeastern Michigan. 810 covers Genesee and Lapeer counties; 248 serves Oakland County; 586 serves Macomb County.

Q: Do VoIP services support 810 numbers?

Yes. Most VoIP providers (OpenPhone, Talkroute, SMS Local) offer 810 numbers with instant provisioning.

Q: What time zone is area code 810?

Area code 810 operates in the Eastern Time Zone (ET) – UTC-5 during standard time and UTC-4 during daylight saving time.

Developer Quick Reference

Implementation Checklist

• Validate NANP format (NXX-NXX-XXXX where N = 2–9, X = 0–9)
• Enforce 10-digit dialing for local calls
• Add "1" prefix for long-distance calls
• Handle emergency codes (911, 988) separately
• Strip non-numeric characters before validation
• Test with adjacent area codes (248, 586, 989, 734, 517)
• Implement clear error messages for invalid formats
• Support number portability workflows
• Register with MPSC if operating as carrier
• Monitor NANPA announcements for policy changes

Conclusion

Area code 810 connects you to communities and businesses across east-central Michigan. Use this guide to navigate the telecommunications landscape effectively – from understanding 10-digit dialing requirements to implementing NANP validation in your applications.