The 909 area code might sound like just a set of digits, but it represents a significant geographic area in Southern California. If you’re asking “Where Is 909 Area Code?”, you’re likely trying to understand if you, or someone you’re calling, are within this region. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the 909 area code, its location, the cities it covers, and important changes related to it.
The 909 area code is located in Southern California, primarily serving the southwestern portion of San Bernardino County, the eastern portion of Los Angeles County, and small sections of Orange and Riverside Counties. This places it inland, east of Los Angeles and extending towards the high desert region. It’s a diverse area encompassing bustling suburban centers, industrial zones, and even mountainous regions.
To be more specific, the 909 area code includes a wide range of cities. Some of the major cities within the 909 area code are:
- Big Bear Lake
- Calimesa
- Chino
- Chino Hills
- Claremont
- Colton
- Diamond Bar
- Eastvale
- Fontana
- Grand Terrace
- Highland
- Industry
- La Verne
- Loma Linda
- Montclair
- Ontario
- Pomona
- Rancho Cucamonga
- Redlands
- Rialto
- San Bernardino
- San Dimas
- Upland
- Walnut
- Yucaipa
This list gives you a good idea of the breadth of the 909 area code, stretching from the outskirts of Los Angeles County eastward into San Bernardino County. If you are in or calling someone in these cities, you’re likely dealing with the 909 area code.
Recently, there have been important changes regarding dialing procedures in the 909 area code. To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, a new area code, 840, has been introduced as an overlay to the existing 909 area. This overlay means that the 840 area code covers the same geographic region as the 909.
Because of this overlay, it became mandatory starting January 23, 2021, for everyone in the 909 and 840 area codes to dial “1” + the area code + the seven-digit telephone number for all calls, including local calls. Previously, local calls within the same area code might have only required seven-digit dialing. Now, ten-digit dialing (or 1+ ten-digit dialing) is essential. If you fail to use the new dialing procedure, your calls will not connect, and you’ll receive a recording reminding you to dial again with the area code.
This change impacts both residents and businesses within the 909 and 840 area codes. It’s crucial to reprogram any automatic dialing equipment you may use. This includes:
- Life safety systems
- Medical monitoring devices
- Fax machines
- Internet dial-up numbers
- Alarm and security systems
- Gates
- Speed dialers
- Call forwarding settings
- Voicemail services
Ensuring all these systems are updated to include the area code is vital for uninterrupted service.
It’s important to note that while the dialing procedure has changed, your phone number itself and the cost of calls have not. Local calls remain local, even with the new dialing method. Furthermore, dialing 9-1-1 remains unchanged – you can still dial just three digits for emergency services. The same applies to other three-digit codes like 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, and 811, where available in your area.
The 909 area code has a history of its own. It was first created in November 1992, split from the older 714 area code. Later, in 2004, the 909 area code itself was further divided, resulting in the creation of the 951 area code. This history of splits and overlays reflects the rapid population growth and increasing demand for phone numbers in Southern California.
In conclusion, the 909 area code is in Southern California, encompassing a significant portion of San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties, including major cities like Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, and San Bernardino. Understanding where the 909 area code is located is important, especially with the dialing changes and the introduction of the 840 overlay area code. Remember to use the 1+ area code + telephone number dialing procedure for all calls in these areas.
For more detailed information, you can visit the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website or contact your telephone service provider. You can also refer to the CPUC’s official information page for the 909 area code at www.cpuc.ca.gov/909areacode.
