New York Metro Area to Get Yet Another Area Code, 363
Nassau County, the most densely populated county in New York State outside of New York City, is getting a new area code next year, 363.
Originally part of the 914 area code, which it shared with neighboring Suffolk County and the lower Hudson Valley for several years starting with the nationwide adoption of area codes, Nassau was then split off along with Suffolk into the 516 area code. In November 1999, due to the proliferation of mobile phones and pagers, Suffolk received a new area code, 631, while Nassau kept 516.
In 2016, Suffolk County received its second area code, 934.
The new 363 area code is an overlay that will function alongside the current 516 code. Companies and individuals with numbers in the 516 area code will remain in that area code, although, according to Verizon, the local phone company in the area, those ordering new service, additional lines, or in certain cases moving their service may be assigned a number in the new area code.
The new area code will suffice for Nassau County for at least 49 years, the New York State Public Service Commission said in a statement Monday.
If all this is not enough, New York City received its seventh new area code, 332, in 2017, which will also be an overlay area code for Manhattan. The other area codes in the Big Apple are 212, 718, 917, 646, 347, and 929.
The initial 90 area codes were assigned in the 1940s based on population size. Cities with the largest population were given area codes that were quick to dial on a rotary phone, hence 212 for New York, 213 for Los Angeles and 312 for Chicago, while less populous states such as Alaska, Idaho, and Hawaii got 907, 208, and 808 respectively. The adoption of push-button or Touch-Tone “dialing” starting in the 1960s made such consideration moot in the issuance of new area codes.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)