Frequently Asked Questions
Area code 952 primarily serves Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Minnetonka, and Shakopee, Minnesota, along with surrounding smaller communities and townships within the southwestern Twin Cities metro area. Bloomington is the largest city within this area code.
Always dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7-digit number), even for local calls within area code 952. This practice ensures accurate routing and minimizes connection issues within the Twin Cities area.
To call outside of area code 952, dial "1" followed by the 10-digit number you are trying to reach. This includes calls within the US, Canada, and other countries participating in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP).
Ten-digit dialing ensures accurate call routing and is the standard practice for all calls within area code 952, whether local or long distance, as mandated by the North American Numbering Plan (NANP).
Area code 952 primarily covers Hennepin County in Minnesota and encompasses the southwestern suburban areas of the Twin Cities, including Bloomington, Eden Prairie, and Edina.
As of 2022, Bloomington, the central hub of area code 952, had a population of approximately 89,244, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Mall of America, located in Bloomington, Minnesota, falls under area code 952.
Bloomington, within area code 952, has a median household income of approximately $87,381, indicating a robust and diversified economy.
The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) manages and allocates numbering resources, including area code 952, under the oversight of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
You can find additional details about telecommunications regulations and area code management on the websites of the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (https://www.nationalnanpa.com) and the Federal Communications Commission (https://www.fcc.gov).
Bloomington, within area code 952, is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses 15 counties and has a population of over 3.6 million.
Area Code 952: Bloomington, Minnesota – Complete Guide to Coverage & Dialing
Area code 952 serves the southwestern Twin Cities metropolitan area in Minnesota, encompassing Bloomington and surrounding suburbs. This area code covers approximately 38 cities across 7 counties in the Central Time Zone, connecting residents and businesses in one of Minnesota's most dynamic regions. Use this guide to understand area code 952 location and coverage map, 10-digit dialing requirements, regulatory framework, and telecommunications services.
Where is Area Code 952? Geographic Coverage Map
Area code 952 is located in Minnesota and extends across seven counties: Hennepin, Scott, Carver, Dakota, Anoka, and portions of Ramsey and Washington counties. The area code covers approximately 38 cities and communities in the southwestern Minneapolis–St. Paul suburbs, including:
The area code connects these southwestern suburbs of the Twin Cities, facilitating communication and commerce within this dynamic region. All locations within area code 952 operate in the Central Time Zone (CST/CDT, GMT-6).
Source: Area code 952 – Wikipedia
Area Code 952 History and Creation
Area code 952 launched on February 27, 2000, splitting from the original area code 612 alongside area code 763 (which covers the northwestern suburbs). The split addressed exhaustion of available phone numbers in area code 612, which had served the entire Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area since 1947. Following the split, 612 remained exclusively for Minneapolis and inner-ring communities, while 952 took over the southwestern suburbs.
A permissive dialing period ran from February 2000 to January 2001, allowing callers to use either the old or new area codes. After January 2001, 10-digit dialing became mandatory for all calls. According to NANPA projections from April 2025, area code 952 has significant numbering capacity remaining, with an estimated exhaust date of 2236 – over 200 years away. Despite the Twin Cities' continued growth, 952 won't require an overlay area code or split in the foreseeable future.
Sources: North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA); Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Order
How to Dial Area Code 952: Local and Long-Distance Calling
Area code 952 offers standard telecommunications services for residents and businesses:
Local Calling: 10-digit dialing (area code + 7-digit number) is mandatory for all local calls within area code 952. This requirement took effect on October 24, 2021, preparing for the nationwide rollout of 988 as the three-digit code for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (launched July 16, 2022). The requirement ensures calls beginning with 988 route to the crisis lifeline rather than being interpreted as the first three digits of a seven-digit local number.
Emergency Services (911): Dial 911 for emergencies – 10-digit dialing is not required. The 911 system automatically identifies your location and routes your call to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).
Long Distance: For calls outside area code 952, dial "1" followed by the 10-digit number. This applies to calls within the United States, Canada, and other NANP-participating countries.
Calling Rates: Most modern phone plans include unlimited local and long-distance calling within the United States, making calls within and outside area code 952 cost-free. Mobile carriers typically don't distinguish between local and long-distance calls within the U.S. for billing purposes. Verify your specific plan details with your service provider, as prepaid, pay-per-use, and international plans may have different rate structures.
Operator Assistance: Dial "0" followed by the 10-digit number to access operator services for collect calls or person-to-person calls.
These dialing procedures align with the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), ensuring consistent communication across the region.
Sources: FCC Fact Sheet: 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline & 10-Digit Dialing; 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – FCC; Scott County 10-Digit Dialing Order
NANPA Regulatory Oversight
The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) regulates area code 952. This organization, overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), manages and allocates numbering resources across the NANP region. NANPA ensures efficient and equitable distribution of area codes, working with service providers to meet evolving communication needs.
Practical Implications:
Find more information on NANPA and FCC telecommunications regulations.
Sources: NANPA NPA Exhaust Projections 2024-2; FCC Local Number Portability
Bloomington's Population and Economic Profile
Bloomington's population is approximately 88,344 (2024 estimate), making it the fourth most populous city in Minnesota after Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Rochester. The city's median household income is $87,381 (2022 ACS data), with 92.1% of residents living above the poverty line. Bloomington is part of the Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WI Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses 15 counties and exceeds 3.6 million residents.
Major Employers and Industries
Bloomington and the broader area code 952 region have over 100,000 jobs. According to the City of Bloomington's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, top employers include:
Key Industries in the 952 Area:
Bloomington has more jobs per capita than either Minneapolis or St. Paul, making it a critical employment hub for the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Bloomington, Minnesota; City of Bloomington 2023 ACFR; Bloomington, Minnesota - Wikipedia
Best Practices and Troubleshooting Tips
Use these best practices and troubleshooting tips for smooth communication within area code 952:
Basic Dialing Best Practices
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Problem: Call won't go through
Problem: Call connects to wrong number
Problem: Cannot receive calls
Number Portability and VoIP Considerations
Porting Your 952 Number: Under FCC regulations, you can keep your 952 phone number when switching service providers within the same geographic area through Local Number Portability (LNP). This applies to:
Porting Process:
VoIP Service with 952 Numbers: VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) providers let you obtain or port 952 numbers and use them from anywhere with internet access:
Service Outages: If you experience persistent connection issues:
Sources: FCC Local Number Portability; FCC Wireless Number Portability
Stay Connected in Area Code 952
Area code 952 connects the thriving communities of the southwestern Twin Cities metropolitan area, from Bloomington's Mall of America to Lake Minnetonka's shores. Understanding its geographic coverage, dialing procedures, and regulatory framework ensures effective communication within this region.
Next Steps:
For other Minnesota area codes, explore guides for area code 612 (Minneapolis), area code 651 (St. Paul), and area code 763 (northwestern suburbs). Consult NANPA and FCC resources for updates and regulatory information on area code 952.
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 952
What is area code 952 and where is it located?
Area code 952 serves the southwestern suburbs of the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area in Minnesota. It launched on February 27, 2000, when it split from area code 612. Area code 952 covers approximately 38 cities across 7 counties, including Hennepin, Scott, Carver, Dakota, and Anoka counties. The largest city is Bloomington, home to the Mall of America, with approximately 88,344 residents (2024).
What cities are covered by area code 952?
Area code 952 covers Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Minnetonka, Shakopee, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Chanhassen, Chaska, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lakeville, Prior Lake, Savage, and approximately 24 other communities in the southwestern Twin Cities suburbs. The area code spans seven counties, making it one of the more geographically diverse area codes in Minnesota. All cities are part of the Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for local calls in area code 952?
Yes, 10-digit dialing is mandatory for all local calls within area code 952. This requirement took effect on October 24, 2021, as part of the nationwide transition to support the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (launched July 16, 2022). Dial the area code (952) plus the 7-digit phone number for all local calls, even within the same area code. This ensures calls beginning with 988 route to the crisis lifeline.
When was area code 952 created and why?
Area code 952 launched on February 27, 2000, when it split from area code 612 along with area code 763 (northwestern suburbs). The split addressed exhaustion of available phone numbers in area code 612, which had served the entire Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area since 1947. After the split, 612 remained exclusively for Minneapolis and inner-ring communities, while 952 took over the southwestern suburbs.
Is area code 952 part of the Minneapolis–St. Paul Twin Cities?
Yes, area code 952 serves the southwestern suburbs of the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area (Twin Cities). Bloomington, the largest city within area code 952, is a key component of this metropolitan region. The area code is part of the Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WI Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses 15 counties and exceeds 3.6 million residents.
How do I dial long distance from area code 952?
To make long-distance calls from area code 952 to numbers outside the area code, dial "1" followed by the 10-digit phone number (area code + 7-digit number). This applies to calls within the United States, Canada, and other North American Numbering Plan (NANP) countries. For international calls outside NANP, dial 011 followed by the country code and recipient's phone number.
What time zone is area code 952 in?
Area code 952 is located in the Central Time Zone (CST/CDT), which is GMT-6 during Standard Time and GMT-5 during Daylight Saving Time. All cities and communities within area code 952 observe the same time zone, making scheduling calls straightforward across the southwestern Twin Cities suburbs.
What counties does area code 952 cover in Minnesota?
Area code 952 covers seven Minnesota counties: Hennepin County (primary coverage), Scott County, Carver County, Dakota County, Anoka County, and portions of adjacent counties. The area code primarily serves the southwestern portion of the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area, with Hennepin County containing the largest concentration of cities, including Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, and Minnetonka.
What is the population of area code 952?
The largest city in area code 952 is Bloomington with approximately 88,344 residents (2024 estimate). The area code serves approximately 38 cities and communities across 7 counties in the southwestern Twin Cities suburbs. The broader Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington Metropolitan Statistical Area, of which 952 is a significant part, exceeds 3.6 million residents.
Who regulates area code 952 and phone number assignments?
The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) regulates area code 952 under Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversight. NANPA manages and allocates numbering resources across the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) region, ensuring efficient distribution of area codes and phone numbers. The FCC establishes telecommunications regulations governing area code administration.
Can I get a 952 phone number if I don't live in the area?
Yes, you can obtain a 952 area code phone number even if you don't physically reside in the area, especially through Voice over IP (VoIP) service providers and virtual phone systems. Many businesses choose 952 numbers to establish a local presence in the Bloomington and southwestern Twin Cities market.
How to Obtain a 952 Number from Outside the Area:
VoIP Business Phone Providers: Services like OpenPhone, Grasshopper, RingCentral, Nextiva, Vonage, and Talkroute offer virtual 952 numbers that work from anywhere with internet access. Setup typically takes minutes, and you can use the number on smartphones, computers, or tablets.
Google Voice: Provides free 952 numbers (when available) through the Google Voice app, with limited business features.
Mobile Carriers: Traditional mobile carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) typically assign local area codes based on your billing address, but you may port an existing 952 number or request one specifically, though availability varies.
Virtual Phone Systems: Enterprise solutions like Calilio, Vitel Global, and KrispCall offer 952 numbers with advanced call routing, IVR menus, and multi-device support.
Key Considerations:
Sources: OpenPhone 952 Area Code; Vitel Global 952 Business Numbers