What is the 714 Area Code?
Area codes are an essential part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). Without them, it would be impossible to direct phone calls to specific geographic regions. The NANP is administered by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA).
Area code 714 is a California area code that serves a substantial population. More specifically, it serves Orange County, California. It’s estimated that area code 714 serves a population of more than three million people.
But what is the history of the 714 area code? Where exactly is it located? And what is it used for today?
This article will cover the history of the 714 area code, its current location, the demographics of the people who live there, and how the area code is used today. We’ll also explore the potential for future changes to the 714 area code and the introduction of new area codes in the region.
History and establishment of area code 714
Area code 714 hasn’t always been around. It came into being as a way to add phone numbers to the area already covered by area code 213.
Area code 213 was one of the original area codes created in 1947, when the Bell System divided the country into numbering plan areas (NPAs). As the population grew and more people wanted phone numbers, the existing area code just couldn’t cover it. So, new area codes were created to serve as overlays.
An overlay is when a new area code is assigned to the same geographic region as an existing area code. That’s what happened in Orange County. Area code 714 was created to serve as an overlay for area code 213. The boundary was later modified to make 714 its own geographic region.
Over the years, there have been some changes and expansions to the 714 service area. Most recently, area code 657 was created as a single overlay for the 714 region.
Geographic Coverage: Cities and Counties Served by Area Code 714
Area code 714 blankets a substantial chunk of Southern California, including all or part of 31 cities and a few unincorporated communities. It’s a busy area, to say the least!
Major Cities within Area Code 714
Some of the most well-known cities with phone numbers in the 714 area code are:
- Anaheim
- Santa Ana
- Huntington Beach
- Fullerton
- Orange
- Garden Grove
- Irvine
- Costa Mesa
Anaheim is famous for being home to Disneyland and other tourist attractions. Santa Ana is the county seat of Orange County and a major business and government center. Huntington Beach, of course, is known as “Surf City USA” for its long sandy beaches and vibrant surfing culture.
Counties Encompassed by Area Code 714
The 714 area code primarily covers Orange County, but it also includes a tiny sliver of Los Angeles County.
Orange County is a major economic and population hub in Southern California, with a diverse economy spanning tourism, technology, healthcare, and education. It’s a desirable place to live, work, and play, and the 714 area code is a key part of its identity.
Understanding the 714/657 Overlay
So, what’s the deal with some people having a 714 area code and others having a 657 area code, even though they live in the same area? It’s all about something called an “area code overlay.”
Think of it like this: area codes can only handle so many phone numbers. When a particular area code is running out of available numbers, instead of splitting up the region into entirely new area codes (which can be a real hassle for everyone), they introduce an overlay. An overlay is a new area code that serves the exact same geographic area as the existing one.
In Orange County, California, the 657 area code was introduced as an overlay to the 714 area code. Both area codes cover the same cities and towns.
Because of this overlay, it’s super important to dial the area code plus the seven-digit phone number for all calls, even if you’re calling someone right next door. This is true whether you have a 714 number or a 657 number. If you don’t dial the area code, your call won’t go through.
These overlays help make sure everyone who needs a phone number can get one, without disrupting things too much. It’s just a little quirk of modern communication!
Demographic Profile of the 714 Area Code Region
What’s the area served by the 714 area code like? Here’s a quick demographic snapshot.
Population Size and Distribution
The 714 area code serves a population of 13,200,998 people.
Racial and Ethnic Composition
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the population of the 714 area code region breaks down as follows:
- White
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian
- Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
- American Indian/Alaska Native
(Specific percentages were not provided in the source material.)
Age and Gender Demographics
The median age for people living in the 714 area code is 38.5 years. Men tend to be a little younger, with a median age of 37 years, while the median age for women is 39.5 years.
(Specific gender distribution data was not provided in the source material.)
Household and Family Characteristics
The area covered by the 714 area code has 4,721,766 housing units, with 4,494,733 total households. The average household size is 2.88 people, and the average family size is 3.42 people.
Prefix assignment and usage in area code 714
As of this writing, area code 714 has 750 active prefixes and 50 that are inactive.
What’s a prefix, exactly? It’s the first three numbers after the area code in a 10-digit phone number. Think of it as the exchange that connects you to your local phone company.
Landlines vs. wireless
Of the 750 active prefixes in the 714 area, 461 (or about 61.5%) are assigned to landlines. Wireless services use the other 288 prefixes, or about 38.4% of the total.
What does this tell us? As you might expect, even in this small corner of Southern California, wireless phones are catching up to landlines in terms of usage. It probably won’t be long before more prefixes are assigned to wireless services than to traditional landlines.
Unknown type reservations
Just one prefix (about 0.13% of the total) has an unknown type reservation. These are usually prefixes that are held for future use or for specific purposes that aren’t yet defined.
Area Code 714 in Relation to Surrounding Area Codes
Like most area codes in densely populated areas, 714 is surrounded by other area codes, some of which have been created as a result of the original area code being split.
Neighboring Area Codes
Here are some of the area codes that border area code 714:
- 562: Southeast Los Angeles County and Northwest Orange County, including cities like Long Beach, Downey, and Norwalk
- 949: Southern Orange County, including cities like Irvine, Newport Beach, and Laguna Niguel
- 909: Western San Bernardino County and Eastern Los Angeles County, including cities like Ontario, Pomona, and Rancho Cucamonga
- 626: San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles County, including cities like Pasadena, Alhambra, and Arcadia
- 310: West Los Angeles County, including cities like Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Malibu
- 818: San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County, including cities like Burbank, Glendale, and Northridge
Impact of Proximity
Because the Los Angeles metro area is so large, it’s common to call someone in another area code, even if they’re only a few miles away. This can be confusing to people who are new to the area. It can also make it hard to remember which area code serves which city.
Businesses that operate across Southern California need to be aware of the different area codes in order to effectively communicate with their customers. They may also need to purchase phone numbers in multiple area codes in order to have a local presence in different parts of the region. For example, a business with a headquarters in Irvine (area code 949) might also have phone numbers in Los Angeles (area codes 213, 310, 323, 661, 818) and San Bernardino (area code 909) in order to serve customers throughout Southern California.
In Conclusion
Area code 714, one of California’s original area codes, has a rich history reflecting Southern California’s growth and transformation. From its inception in 1951, 714 served a vast area, gradually shrinking as population booms necessitated new codes. Today, it primarily covers northern Orange County, a region characterized by diverse communities, bustling cities, and a thriving economy.
Area code 714 remains a vital part of California’s telecommunications infrastructure. Even with the addition of the 657 overlay to accommodate increasing demand, 714 retains its identity and historical significance. For many residents, it represents a connection to the area’s past and a symbol of its enduring presence.
Looking ahead, area code 714 will continue to serve its communities alongside the 657 overlay. While area code splits and overlays may seem like minor details, they reflect the dynamic nature of our communication landscape and the ongoing need to adapt to evolving technologies and population shifts.