213

The 213 area code is a significant part of California's telecommunication history, with three key facts highlighting its evolution and current status: Historical Significance: The 213 area code was established in 1947, marking it as one of the first area codes in North America. Initially, it covered the entire southern portion of California, a testament to its early importance in the region's telecommunication infrastructure​​​​. Evolution and Splits: Reflecting the rapid growth of Southern California, the 213 area code underwent several splits to accommodate increasing demand for phone numbers. For instance, Orange County and San Diego were assigned the 714 area code in 1951. Over time, the area code was split multiple times, and by 1998, the 213 area code was reduced to serve primarily downtown Los Angeles and its immediate neighboring areas. This was the fifth and last split of the 213 area code before it was overlaid with area code 323 in 2017​​​​. Current Coverage and Overlay with 323: Today, the 213 area code specifically covers downtown Los Angeles and its surrounding areas. It operates in an overlay with area code 323, which means both area codes cover the same geographic region. This overlay approach was adopted to address the continuing demand for new phone numbers in the densely populated area. The 213 area code is located in the Pacific time zone and serves approximately 5,606,000 unique phone numbers and 8,180,405 individuals​​. These facts underscore the dynamic nature of area codes in response to urban growth and technological advancements, with the 213 area code serving as a notable example in the history of American telecommunications.