Area codes are a vital part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANPA). They’re essential for routing phone calls to the correct geographic region within the larger phone network. Think of them as digital signposts, guiding your call where it needs to go.
This article focuses on area code 586 and its importance within the state of Michigan. So, what area code is 586 in Michigan? It’s the area code that covers a large portion of Macomb County, MI.
We’ll dive into the specifics, including its location and time zone, the history of its creation, the cities and counties it covers geographically, and information about the major telephone carriers operating within the 586 area code.
Where is area code 586, and what time is it there?
Area code 586 is located in southeastern Michigan, in the Eastern Time Zone. It serves communities like Warren, Sterling Heights, and St. Clair Shores, all of which are in Macomb County.
Because it’s in the Eastern Time Zone, area code 586 follows Eastern Standard Time (EST) during the winter and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) during the summer. EST is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT -05:00), and EDT is four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT -04:00).
So, if it’s noon in London, it’s probably 7 a.m. in the 586 area code.
How did area code 586 come to be?
Area code 586 is relatively new. It was introduced on September 22, 2001, making it the 306th area code in the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) system.
So, why did they need a new area code in southeastern Michigan? Well, the existing area code, 810, was running out of available phone numbers. The demand for new numbers was simply too high, necessitating the creation of 586.
Area code 586 was actually the tenth area code introduced in Michigan. (Michigan now has a total of 12.)
Interestingly, the original plan wasn’t to create a completely new area code. Instead, the idea was to implement an “overlay,” where both 810 and 586 would serve the same geographic area. But eventually, they decided on a “geographic split,” dividing the region and assigning 586 to a specific part of it.
Geographical Coverage: Cities and Counties
Area code 586 serves a large swath of southeastern Michigan. Here’s a breakdown of the counties and key cities it covers.
Primary Counties Served
Macomb County makes up most of the 586 area code, with about 82% of the population living there. St. Clair County is another big piece of the 586 area code, accounting for around 16% of its residents. The 586 area code also dips into parts of Wayne and Oakland counties.
Key Cities within Area Code 586
Several major cities fall within the 586 area code, including:
- Warren: A large city known for its automotive industry and diverse population.
- Sterling Heights: Another large city with a mix of residential areas, commercial centers, and parks.
- St. Clair Shores: A lakeside community on Lake St. Clair, known for its nautical character.
- Roseville: A city with a mix of residential and commercial areas.
- Clinton Township: A large township known for its parks and recreational facilities.
- Shelby Township: A growing community with a mix of residential developments and commercial centers.
So, if you’re calling someone in Warren, Sterling Heights, St. Clair Shores, Roseville, Clinton Township, or Shelby Township, and they’re using a landline or haven’t changed their number, chances are you’ll be dialing 586.
Demographics of area code 586
Area code 586 is home to a diverse population. Here’s a look at the numbers:
Population statistics
- Total population: approximately 3,949,173
- White population: 2,448,066
- Black population: 955,011
- Asian population: 209,342
- Hispanic population: 12,799
Age and gender demographics
- Median age: 40.33 years
- Median age for males: 38.33 years
- Median age for females: 41.67 years
- Male population: 1,922,533
- Female population: 2,026,640
Housing and household information
- Total housing units: 1,713,998
- Total households: 1,586,648
- Average household size: 2.46
Keep reading to learn more about the cities and towns within the 586 area code.
Telephone Carriers and Prefix Usage
The 586 area code is a busy place, with a mix of landlines and wireless connections. Here’s a little more about how the phone numbers break down.
Landline Carriers
Good old-fashioned landlines still account for a significant portion of the phone numbers in the 586 area code. Currently, about 47.4% of the active prefixes are assigned to landline carriers.
Some of the major landline carriers operating within the 586 area code include familiar names like AT&T, Verizon, and Frontier.
Wireless Carriers
Of course, wireless carriers are a big part of the picture too. Wireless carriers hold about 52.6% of the active prefixes in the 586 area code.
You’ll find all the big names in wireless operating in the area, including Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, and AT&T Mobility.
Prefix Assignment and Usage
Area code 586 is quite active. Of the available prefixes, about 67.5% are already assigned.
Out of the total number of prefixes available, there are currently 540 active prefixes being used, and 260 that are inactive at the moment.
Prefixes are important because they’re how the phone system knows where to route your call, whether it’s to a specific geographic area or to a particular carrier’s network.
Nearby area codes and how to avoid scams
If you’re calling the 586 area, you might also be calling nearby areas. Here’s a look at area codes that border the 586 area:
- 248: This area code serves much of Oakland County, Michigan.
- 313: Area code 313 is in Detroit.
- 517: This area code covers south-central Michigan, including Lansing.
- 734: The 734 area code includes Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas.
- 810: Area code 810 covers the thumb of Michigan, including Port Huron.
Avoiding phone scams
Scammers sometimes use spoofing technology to make it look like they’re calling from a local number. Here are some ways to avoid being scammed:
- Be cautious about answering calls from numbers you don’t recognize.
- Never give out personal information like your social security number, bank account numbers, or credit card numbers over the phone.
- Always check out an organization before you make a payment to them.
You can report phone scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the area code in Warren, Michigan?
Warren, Michigan, primarily uses the 586 area code. However, due to increasing demand for phone numbers, some parts of Warren might also use the 947 area code, which is an overlay for the same geographic region.
What are Michigan area codes?
Michigan has several area codes covering different regions of the state. These include 231, 248, 269, 313, 517, 586, 616, 734, 810, 906, 947, 989. Each area code serves a specific geographic area or overlays an existing area code to provide more phone numbers.
Where is area code 586 in Michigan?
Area code 586 covers a significant portion of Metro Detroit. It includes all of Macomb County, including cities like Warren, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and Roseville. It overlays area code 810 in some areas.
Summary
Area code 586 is located in southeastern Michigan, including cities like Warren and Sterling Heights. If you’re in the 586, you’re in the Eastern Time Zone. This area code was created in 2001 because the original area code, 810, was running out of available numbers.
Area codes are important because they tell you where a phone call is coming from. If you’re doing business with someone or trying to figure out if you should answer an incoming call, knowing the area code can give you important information.
Area codes are a critical part of the North American Numbering Plan. As technology changes, area codes evolve to meet the growing demands of telephone users.