Where is Area Code 509?
Area code 509 serves the eastern portion of Washington state. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) regulates telecommunications services in this region, ensuring residents have access to reliable phone service.
Major areas covered by the 509 area code include:
- Spokane and Spokane Valley
- Yakima
- Kennewick
- Pasco
- Richland
- Spokane County
- Yakima County
- Benton County
- Grant County
- Franklin 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 509 area code in the USA?
The 509 area code in Washington operates within the Pacific Time Zone (PT). This means the region follows Pacific Standard Time (PST) during standard time months and Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) during daylight saving time. The time in this region is 8 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-8) during standard time and 7 hours behind (UTC-7) when daylight saving time is in effect.
Daylight saving time typically begins on the second Sunday in March, when clocks are set forward by one hour, and ends on the first Sunday in November, when clocks are set back by one hour. For precise time information, residents can check the official time through the National Institute of Standards and Technology time service.
History of the 509 Area Code
Area code 509 was one of the original 86 area codes established in 1947 as part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). When first implemented, it covered the entire eastern portion of Washington state, while area code 206 served the western portion.
Key historical developments for the 509 area code include:
- 1947: Area code 509 was established as one of the original North American area codes
- 1957: Minor boundary adjustments were made to accommodate population growth
- 1995: Area code 360 was created from a split of the 206 area code, but 509 remained unchanged
- 2000: The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) projected that 509 would remain sufficient for eastern Washington for the foreseeable future
- 2017: NANPA confirmed that the 509 region still had adequate numbering resources without requiring an overlay
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 509 Area Code?
The 509 area code serves a population of 1.6 million people across eastern Washington. This population figure represents about 20% of Washington state's total population, with the majority concentrated in urban centers like Spokane, the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland), and Yakima.
Population distribution within the 509 area code region varies significantly, with higher density in the metropolitan areas and much lower density in the rural agricultural and mountainous regions. The U.S. Census Bureau tracks population changes in this region, with the most significant growth occurring in the Tri-Cities area and Spokane County.
U.S. Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233
Tel: 301-763-INFO (4636) or 800-923-8282
Is the 509 Area Code Toll-Free?
No, the 509 area code is not toll-free. It is a standard geographic area code serving eastern Washington state. Calls to and from numbers with the 509 area code follow normal billing practices based on the caller's phone service plan. Long-distance charges may apply when calling a 509 number from outside the local calling area, depending on the caller's service provider and plan.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, toll-free numbers in the United States are easily identifiable by their distinct prefixes, which include:
- 800
- 888
- 877
- 866
- 855
- 844
- 833
These toll-free prefixes allow callers to reach businesses and organizations without incurring long-distance charges, as the receiving party pays for the call.
Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554
Tel: 1-888-CALL FCC (225-5322)
https://www.fcc.gov/