Where is Area Code 360?
Area code 360 serves the western and southwestern regions of Washington state, encompassing numerous counties and cities outside the greater Seattle metropolitan area.
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) regulates telecommunications services in the state, including the administration of area codes like 360.
Major locations served by area code 360 include:
- Vancouver
- Bellingham
- Marysville
- Olympia
- Lacey
- Bremerton
- Longview
- Mount Vernon
- Oak Harbor
- Salmon Creek
Counties within the 360 area code include:
- King County
- Snohomish County
- Pierce County
- Clark County
- Thurston County
- Kitsap County
- Whatcom County
- Skagit County
- Cowlitz County
- Island County
- Lewis County
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC)
621 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey, WA 98503
Phone: 360-664-1160
TTY: 1-800-833-6384 or 711
What time zone is 360 area code in the USA?
The 360 area code operates within the Pacific Time Zone (PT), which is UTC-8 during standard time and UTC-7 during Daylight Saving Time. All communities within the 360 area code observe Daylight Saving Time, with clocks moving forward one hour on the second Sunday in March and back one hour on the first Sunday in November.
For the most accurate time information in this region, you can check the official time through the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which provides the official U.S. time across all time zones.
History of the 360 Area Code
Area code 360 was created in 1995 as a split from the original 206 area code that previously covered all of western Washington. The introduction of the 360 area code was necessary due to the rapid population growth in the region and the increasing demand for telephone numbers driven by the proliferation of cellular phones, fax machines, and computer modems in the mid-1990s.
The split occurred on January 15, 1995, when the 360 area code was officially activated. At that time, the 206 area code was retained for Seattle and its immediate vicinity, while the surrounding regions in western Washington were assigned the new 360 area code.
Since its creation, area code 360 has undergone additional changes to accommodate continued growth:
- In 2000, area code 253 was split from portions of 360 to serve Tacoma and Pierce County
- In 2001, area code 425 was implemented to serve the eastern suburbs of Seattle
- In 2017, area code 564 was introduced as an overlay for the 360 region
These changes are documented by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), which oversees the assignment of area codes throughout the United States, Canada, and many Caribbean countries.
NANPA Mailing Address
One Tower Center Boulevard
Suite 800
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
NANPA Customer Support
Tel: 1-866-623-2282
Email: support@nanpa.com
Fax: 571-363-3838
How Many People Use the 360 Area Code?
The 360 area code region serves a population of 6,1 million residents across western Washington. This population figure represents the combined total of residents in all counties and communities covered by the area code, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The population within the 360 area code region has experienced steady growth since the code's introduction in 1995, particularly in Clark County (Vancouver area) and Thurston County (Olympia area). This continued growth was a significant factor in the implementation of the 564 overlay area code in 2017.
U.S. Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233
Tel: 301-763-INFO (4636) or 800-923-8282
Is the 360 Area Code Toll-Free?
No, the 360 area code is not toll-free. It is a standard geographic area code, meaning that calls to and from numbers with this area code may incur standard long-distance charges depending on the caller's location and service plan. The 360 area code functions like other regular area codes throughout North America.
According to the Federal Communications Commission's guide on toll-free numbers, only specific area codes are designated as toll-free. These toll-free area codes include:
- 800
- 888
- 877
- 866
- 855
- 844
- 833
Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554
Tel: 1-888-CALL FCC (225-5322)
https://www.fcc.gov/