Frequently Asked Questions
Norfolk, Virginia, uses area code 757. This area code covers a significant portion of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area in southeastern Virginia, including cities like Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Newport News, and Hampton, as well as several counties.
Area code 757 was introduced in 1996. It was split from area code 804 to accommodate the region's rapid population growth and the increasing demand for telephone numbers, ensuring adequate telecommunications infrastructure.
Dial all 10 digits (area code + number) for local calls within area code 757. This ensures correct routing within the 757 area and is a standard procedure under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP).
For long-distance calls from area code 757, dial 1 + 10 digits. The "1" prefix indicates a long-distance call, connecting you to destinations outside the 757 area, following NANP guidelines.
To reach an operator from area code 757, dial 0 + 10 digits. This connects you to an operator who can assist with specialized calls like collect calls or those needing translation services.
Area code 757 is economically significant due to its diverse industries, including a major military presence with Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base, and a strong tourism sector anchored by Virginia Beach.
Major cities within area code 757 include Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News, and Hampton. The area code also covers several counties, including Accomack, Northampton, Isle of Wight, James City, and York, reflecting the region's interconnectedness.
Old Dominion University, a prominent public research university, is located within area code 757. The Hampton Roads region also has a high concentration of college students across 33 universities, colleges, and trade schools, totaling over 100,000 students.
The North American Numbering Plan (NANP) is a standardized numbering system used in North America, including the United States and Canada, to ensure efficient and reliable telecommunications. It governs dialing procedures and area code assignments, such as those for area code 757.
If you are moving to the 757 area, contact a local telecommunications provider. They can help set up your service and provide you with a new phone number with the 757 area code.
Number portability might allow you to keep your current number when moving to the 757 area. Check with both your current and prospective service providers to see if this is an option and what steps are required.
For more details on telecommunications regulations, including those related to area code 757, visit the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) website. They provide up-to-date information on area code usage, dialing procedures, and any potential changes.
Area Code 757: Complete Guide to Chesapeake, Virginia Beach & Hampton Roads Phone Numbers
Area code 757 serves the Hampton Roads metropolitan area in southeastern Virginia, including Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Newport News. If you're searching for information about getting a 757 phone number, understanding the 948 overlay, or learning mandatory 10-digit dialing requirements, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about area code 757 and area code 948, including geographic coverage, dialing procedures, the 2022 mandatory 10-digit dialing change, and the region's telecommunications regulations under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). You'll find this essential whether you're a resident managing phone service, a business updating contact information and automated systems, a newcomer establishing local telecommunications, or a visitor understanding local dialing requirements.
What Cities and Counties Use Area Code 757 in Virginia?
Area code 757 covers the southeastern corner of Virginia, encompassing the Hampton Roads metropolitan area and the Eastern Shore. The 757 area code serves major cities including Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth, and Suffolk. The region serves 1,757,930 people according to Census 2020 data.
Major Cities (by population):
Additional Cities and Towns: Cape Charles, Onancock, Smithfield, Wakefield, Windsor, Courtland, Yorktown, and communities throughout the Eastern Shore including Horntown, Parksley, Atlantic, Belle Haven, and Temperanceville.
Counties Served:
All phone numbers in this region follow the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) format.
History of Area Code 757: The Birth of 757 and 948 Overlay
Area code 757 split from area code 804 on July 1, 1996, as documented by NANPA. The split responded directly to the region's rapid population growth and increasing demand for telephone numbers.
In the 1996 split, area code 804 retained coverage of central Virginia including Richmond, Petersburg, and surrounding areas, while the new 757 area code took over the Hampton Roads metropolitan area and the Eastern Shore.
Area Code 948 Overlay (2022): Area code 948 launched as an area code overlay on May 9, 2022 due to continued growth and telephone number exhaustion. The overlay serves the same geographic area as 757, meaning new phone numbers may receive either area code. The Virginia State Corporation Commission approved the overlay in 2020 after projections showed 757 would exhaust its numbering resources by late 2021. The overlay approach causes fewer disruptions than splitting the area code, as it requires 10-digit dialing instead of changing existing phone numbers.
How to Dial 757 Phone Numbers: Required 10-Digit Dialing Procedures
Follow these dialing procedures to ensure your calls connect properly:
Important Note: Always dial the area code, even when calling a number with the same area code as yours. This ensures proper call routing now that both 757 and 948 serve the same geographic region. If you dial only 7 digits, your call will not complete – hang up and redial using the full 10-digit number.
The North American Numbering Plan (NANP) governs these standardized procedures to ensure efficient and reliable communication within and beyond the 757/948 area.
Transition Period: A permissive dialing period ran from September 11, 2021 through April 8, 2022, during which the system accepted both 7-digit and 10-digit dialing. 10-digit dialing became mandatory on April 9, 2022.
Economic and Cultural Significance of the 757 Area Code Region
Area code 757 serves a region vital to Virginia's economy and culture. The Hampton Roads metropolitan area combines military, tourism, education, and maritime industries, making it one of the most economically diverse regions in the southeastern United States. The metropolitan area had a GDP of $127.5 billion in 2023.
Future of Area Code 757: Will There Be Another Area Code Change?
The 757 area code region has already implemented its growth solution through the 948 overlay, which became active on May 9, 2022. This overlay provides additional numbering capacity by allowing new phone numbers to be assigned with either the 757 or 948 area code within the same geographic region.
Current Status: Both 757 and 948 area codes now serve the Hampton Roads metropolitan area and Eastern Shore of Virginia. Existing 757 numbers remain unchanged, while new lines receive either area code. The North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) monitors area code usage continuously to ensure long-term viability.
Capacity and Outlook: As of 2023, 767 of 800 possible prefixes (95.9%) have been assigned in area code 757. The addition of area code 948 effectively doubles the available numbering resources, providing capacity to serve the region for many years. NANPA reports this area code is "not in jeopardy" and no additional relief planning is underway. If further growth requires additional changes, NANPA will implement appropriate measures with advance notice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 757
Here are common questions about area code 757:
Best Practices for Using 757 and 948 Area Codes
Follow these best practices for area codes 757 and 948:
Additional Resources for Area Code 757 Information
Expand your telecommunications knowledge with these resources:
This guide equips you with essential knowledge about area codes 757 and 948 in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. You now understand the mandatory 10-digit dialing requirements implemented in 2022, the geographic coverage across Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and surrounding areas, and how to manage your telecommunications needs in southeastern Virginia. Whether you're a resident, business owner, or planning to move to the 757 region, use this guide as your resource for understanding the local phone number system.
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