Area Code 660: Coverage, Cities, and More

Area code 660 serves northern and central Missouri, covering 206 cities and 42 counties across the region. If you're a business establishing local presence in Missouri, a resident confirming dialing rules, or a telecommunications professional researching 660 area code capacity, this comprehensive guide provides the coverage details, dialing procedures, and regulatory context you need.

Where Is Area Code 660? Geographic Coverage and Cities

Area code 660 serves northern and central Missouri, covering 206 cities and 42 counties with a population of approximately 668,407 individuals (as of 2024). This area code encompasses urban centers and rural communities, connecting businesses, homes, and individuals through a shared telecommunications network.

Key cities within area code 660 include:

• Sedalia (population ~21,700): Major commercial and transportation hub serving Pettis County.
• Kirksville (population ~17,600): Home to Truman State University, contributing education and healthcare sectors.
• Warrensburg (population ~20,300): Location of the University of Central Missouri and Whiteman Air Force Base.
• Marshall (population ~13,100): Historic agricultural center in Saline County.
• Moberly (population ~13,800): Industrial and manufacturing center in Randolph County.
• Chillicothe (population ~9,100): Growing commercial hub in Livingston County with diverse manufacturing base.

Counties Covered: The 42 counties span from the Iowa border south to the Lake of the Ozarks region. Major counties include:

• Northern Region: Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Clark, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Knox, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Mercer, Nodaway, Putnam, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, Sullivan, Worth
• Central Region: Bates, Benton, Cooper, Henry, Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Marion, Monroe, Morgan, Pettis, Randolph, Saline, Vernon

Important Note: Area code 660 currently has no overlay area codes, meaning it is the sole area code serving this geographic region. As of December 2024, this area code is not in jeopardy of exhaustion, with substantial numbering capacity remaining (442 active prefixes with 358 prefixes, or 44.8%, still inactive).

This mix of urban and rural landscapes within area code 660 creates diverse communication needs across the region. Missouri also uses area code 314 for St. Louis, area code 816 for Kansas City, and area code 417 for southwestern Missouri.

How to Dial 660 Area Code: Local and Long-Distance Formats

Use these dialing formats to reach contacts within and outside the 660 area code.

Within Area Code 660 (Local Calls):

• Dial all 10 digits: 660-826-5000
• Example: Calling a Sedalia business from Kirksville requires 660-826-5000

To Other US Area Codes (Long-Distance):

• Dial 1 + 10 digits: 1-816-555-0100
• Example: Calling Kansas City (816) from Sedalia requires 1-816-555-0100

International Calls from 660:

• Dial 011 + country code + phone number: 011-44-20-7946-0958
• Example: Calling London requires 011-44-20-7946-0958

Operator-Assisted Calls:

• Dial 0 + 10 digits: 0-660-826-5000
• Use for collect calls or special services

Rate Centers and Toll Calls: Whether a call within the 660 area code incurs long-distance charges depends on rate center boundaries, not geographic proximity. A call between two 660 numbers may still be a toll call if they're in different rate centers. Check with your carrier for specific rate information.

Ten-Digit Dialing Requirement (Mandatory Since 2021):

As of October 24, 2021, dial all 10 digits for every call within area code 660, including local calls. This change accommodated the nationwide 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Ten-Digit Dialing Timeline:

• April 24, 2021: Transition period began – 7-digit dialing still worked (permissive period).
• October 24, 2021: Ten-digit dialing became mandatory. Calls dialed with only 7 digits will not complete.
• July 16, 2022: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline went live nationwide.

This change affected all Missouri area codes (314 for St. Louis, 417 for Springfield, 660 for central Missouri, and 816 for Kansas City) where the 988 prefix was a working prefix.

Troubleshooting Common Dialing Errors:

• Call won't complete: Ensure you're dialing all 10 digits, including the area code
• Recording states "cannot be completed as dialed": Add the area code (660) before the 7-digit number
• Unexpected charges: Verify the number is within your local calling area; calls between different rate centers may incur toll charges
• International calls fail: Confirm you're dialing 011 + country code + full number

Regulatory Oversight: NANPA, FCC, and Missouri PSC Authority

Area code 660 operates under regulatory oversight from three bodies that ensure system stability and protect consumer rights.

• North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA): Assigns and manages area codes and numbering resources within the NANP. Visit https://www.nationalnanpa.com for area code information and planning documents.
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Regulates interstate and international communications in the United States. The FCC enforces numbering plan rules, number portability requirements, and consumer protections. Visit https://www.fcc.gov to file complaints or research telecommunications regulations.
• Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC): Regulates telecommunications providers within Missouri. The MPSC handles intrastate matters and works with NANPA and the FCC to enforce state and federal regulations.

Consumer Protections and Rights:

• Number Portability: You have the right to keep your phone number when switching carriers within the same geographic area.
• Complaint Filing: File complaints about service quality, billing disputes, or provider practices with the MPSC or FCC.
• Spam and Robocall Protection: Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry at https://www.donotcall.gov. Report illegal robocalls to the FCC. Many carriers offer free spam blocking tools – contact your provider to enable these features.

When Was Area Code 660 Created? Historical Timeline and 816 Split

Area code 660 was created as a split from area code 816, addressing growing telecommunications demand in northern Missouri.

Timeline of Events:

• Late 1996: Cell phone proliferation and the Telecommunications Act of 1996 market reforms created demand for additional numbering resources in northern Missouri.
• April 10, 1997: Southwestern Bell declared a "Jeopardy Situation" with the MPSC and NANPA, indicating imminent number exhaustion in area code 816.
• July 28, 1997: NANPA announced an area code split. The Kansas City metropolitan area and St. Joseph retained area code 816, while rural eastern and northwestern portions received the new area code 660. This strategy minimized disruption in densely populated urban areas.
• October 12, 1997: Area code 660 officially launched with a permissive dialing period during which long-distance calls to 660 territory could be completed using either 816 or 660.
• April 19, 1998: Permissive dialing period ended; area code 660 became exclusive for its coverage area.

The split was driven by population growth and the proliferation of cell phones, fax machines, and pagers – all devices requiring unique phone numbers.

Impact on Businesses and Residents: The split required businesses to update letterhead, business cards, advertising materials, and directory listings. Residents needed to inform contacts of their new area code. The permissive dialing period provided a six-month window to manage this transition, reducing missed calls and confusion.

Current Status (2024): As of December 2024, area code 660 is not in jeopardy of exhaustion. With 442 active prefixes and 358 inactive prefixes (44.8% capacity remaining), no relief planning is currently underway. The area code has proven effective in providing long-term numbering capacity for the region, with the last prefix assigned on December 13, 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Area Code 660

What cities are included in Area Code 660?

Area code 660 covers 206 cities across northern and central Missouri, including Sedalia, Kirksville, Warrensburg, Marshall, Moberly, and Chillicothe, plus numerous smaller towns across 42 counties. This coverage serves approximately 668,407 individuals.

How do I make a call within Area Code 660?

Dial the full 10-digit phone number, including the 660 area code. This applies even for local calls within the same city.

When was Area Code 660 established?

Area code 660 launched on October 12, 1997, as a split from area code 816, responding to growing demand for phone numbers in the region.

Why did Area Code 660 require ten-digit dialing in 2021?

Ten-digit dialing became mandatory on October 24, 2021, to support the nationwide implementation of 988 as the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The transition prevented conflicts between the 988 crisis number and existing 988-XXXX seven-digit phone numbers. The 988 service went live on July 16, 2022.

Is Area Code 660 running out of phone numbers?

No. As of December 2024, area code 660 is not in jeopardy of exhaustion. With 442 active prefixes in use and 358 inactive prefixes remaining (44.8% capacity available), the area code has substantial numbering resources. The last prefix was assigned on December 13, 2024, and no relief planning (overlay or split) is currently underway.

How do I get a new 660 phone number for my business?

Contact a telecommunications carrier serving the 660 area (such as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or local providers). Request a number in your preferred city or rate center. Many carriers offer online number selection tools. For established local presence, choose a number in the rate center matching your business location.

Can I keep my 660 number if I switch carriers?

Yes. Federal number portability rules allow you to keep your phone number when switching carriers within the same geographic area. Contact your new carrier to initiate the porting process. The process typically takes 1–7 business days for landlines and 1–2 days for wireless numbers.

How do I verify a caller from 660 is legitimate and not a scam?

Scammers can spoof any area code, including 660. To verify legitimacy:

• Don't trust caller ID alone – it can be falsified
• If the caller claims to represent a business or agency, hang up and call the official number from their website
• Never provide personal information, passwords, or payment details to unsolicited callers
• Report suspected scam calls to the FCC at https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
• Use your carrier's spam blocking features to filter suspicious calls

Best Practices for Area Code 660 Communication

For All Users:

• Always dial 10 digits: Dial the full 10-digit phone number for all calls, even local calls, to ensure compatibility with current dialing requirements.
• Verify number accuracy: Double-check phone numbers before calling to avoid misdials.
• Be mindful of time zones: Area code 660 is in the Central Time Zone (CT, UTC−6:00). Account for time differences when calling from other zones.
• Emergency services: Dial 911 for emergencies. The 911 system automatically identifies your location. When calling from VoIP or internet-based phones, verify your carrier has registered your correct service address for accurate emergency routing.

For Businesses:

• Establish local presence: A 660 number builds trust with local customers and signals you serve the region. Consider obtaining numbers in rate centers matching your service areas.
• Marketing considerations: Include your full 10-digit number (660-XXX-XXXX) in all marketing materials. If you serve multiple regions, consider toll-free numbers (800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, 833) as primary contact points.
• Number portability: When changing providers, port your existing 660 numbers to maintain customer recognition and avoid updating all your materials.
• SMS and text messaging: Ensure your 660 numbers support SMS if you plan to use text messaging for customer communications. Not all landline numbers support texting – verify this feature with your carrier.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Stay informed about FCC and MPSC regulations through https://www.fcc.gov and state resources.
• Maintain compliance with Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) rules when conducting telemarketing or automated calling campaigns.

Conclusion: Navigating the 660 Landscape

Area code 660 connects individuals and businesses across a diverse region of Missouri. By understanding its geographic coverage, dialing formats, regulatory framework, and historical context, you can communicate effectively within and beyond the 660 area code.

Key Takeaways:

• Always dial 10 digits for all calls within and to 660 numbers
• Verify the legitimacy of callers to protect against scams
• Exercise your number portability rights when switching carriers
• Use your 660 number strategically for local business presence

Looking Forward: With 44.8% of prefixes still inactive, area code 660 has decades of capacity remaining. No overlay or split is planned. This stability provides businesses and residents with confidence that their 660 numbers will remain valid for the foreseeable future.

Stay informed about regulatory updates through NANPA, FCC, and MPSC resources to ensure continued seamless communication.