Area codes are vital for connecting calls across the country, directing them to specific geographic locations. This article focuses on the 336 area code in North Carolina.
We’ll take a closer look at the 336 area code, including its location and history, to give you a comprehensive overview. Whether you’re an individual or a business interested in the Greensboro, NC area code, this article will provide detailed information about its geographic coverage, time zone, history, and the telephone carriers that operate within it.
Geographic Coverage of the 336 Area Code
The 336 area code is located in central North Carolina.
The area code covers major cities like Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point — as well as smaller towns and communities in the central part of the state.
The 336 area code encompasses all or part of several counties. Some of the key counties include Guilford, Forsyth, and Davidson.
Guilford County accounts for approximately 9% of the 336 area code’s population, Forsyth County accounts for about 6%, and Davidson County represents about 8% of the population within the 336 area code’s boundaries.
If you’re calling a number with the 336 area code, you’re likely contacting someone in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina.
Time Zone and Related Area Codes
If you’re calling a number in the 336 area code, remember that Greensboro is in the Eastern Time Zone (America/New_York). Keep that in mind if you’re calling from a different time zone!
Also, the 336 area code has an overlay: area code 743. This means that in the same geographic region, you might see phone numbers with either 336 or 743. When 743 was introduced as an overlay in 2015, it meant that everyone in the 336 area code had to dial all ten digits (area code + phone number) for every call.
Other area codes near Greensboro include 828 (Asheville), 910 (Fayetteville), 919 and 984 (Raleigh), and 434 (Danville, VA).
The History of the 336 Area Code
The 336 area code came into service on December 15, 1997. It was the 227th area code created in North America, and one of 43 that launched in 1997 alone!
Before 1997, Greensboro and the surrounding areas used the 910 area code. But the population was growing, and new cell phones and fax machines meant that the 910 area code was running out of available phone numbers. Splitting the area into two separate codes was the answer.
Even with the new 336 area code, the region continued to grow. In 2016, the 743 area code was introduced as an overlay, meaning that both area codes now serve the same geographic area.
Telephone Carriers and Prefixes in the 336 Area Code
The 336 area code serves a large chunk of central North Carolina, so it’s no surprise that several telephone carriers, both landline and wireless, operate within its boundaries. Here’s a breakdown of the major players and their prefix usage.
Landline Carriers
Some of the major landline carriers in the 336 area code include:
- Bellsouth (now part of AT&T)
- CenturyLink (now Lumen)
- Windstream
Bellsouth controls the lion’s share of landline prefixes, accounting for roughly 21% of the total. CenturyLink has about 8%, and Windstream holds approximately 5%.
Wireless Carriers
The major wireless carriers operating in the 336 area code are:
- Verizon
- Sprint (now part of T-Mobile)
- Cingular (now AT&T Mobility)
Verizon leads the pack with about 10% of the wireless prefixes. Sprint has around 5%, and Cingular accounts for about 4%.
Prefix Usage Statistics
Overall, about 99% of the prefixes in the 336 area code are assigned to a telecommunications company. Of those, about 71% are used by landlines, while 29% are used by wireless carriers. There’s a small percentage, about 1%, of prefixes that are currently classified as unknown.
Detailed Prefix Information
If you’re curious about the specifics, you can find detailed information on assigned telephone prefixes. This data includes the primary city associated with the prefix, the carrier that owns it, and the date the prefix was first introduced. It’s a bit of telecom trivia that can be surprisingly interesting!
Who uses the 336 area code?
The 336 area code covers a lot of people spread across many counties and cities in North Carolina. Here’s a quick look at the populations of some of the larger cities it includes:
- Greensboro: 269,666
- Winston-Salem: 229,617
- High Point: 104,371
These cities, and all the counties they are in, lie completely within the 336 area code’s boundaries.
Closing Thoughts
The 336 area code is a critical part of North Carolina’s telecommunications system, covering a large portion of the central part of the state, including major cities and surrounding counties.
For anyone living, working, or doing business in the region, knowing the specifics of the 336 area code is essential for effective communication. Whether you’re making a local call or connecting with someone from out of state, understanding the area code helps ensure your message gets through.
Even with the addition of the overlay area code 743 and the many telephone carriers serving the region, the 336 area code remains a vital part of North Carolina’s connectivity.