Where is Area Code 472?
Area code 472 is designated for southeastern North Carolina. It serves as an overlay to the existing 910 area code, which means that both 472 and 910 are used within the same geographic area. This region includes major cities such as Fayetteville, Wilmington, and Jacksonville, along with numerous surrounding towns and communities. Oversight for North Carolina’s area codes is managed by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), which offers resources and official guidance for telecommunications in the region. You can reach NANPA at One Tower Center Boulevard, Suite 800, East Brunswick, NJ 08816, or by calling 1-866-623-2282.
What Time Zone Is 472 Area Code in the USA?
All phone numbers with the 472 area code are located in the Eastern Time Zone (ET). This time zone is the same as the one used by the rest of southeastern North Carolina, as well as major cities like New York and Atlanta. The Eastern Time Zone observes Eastern Standard Time (EST) during the fall and winter months. When daylight saving time is in effect, from spring through early fall, clocks shift forward one hour to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). For more information on time zones and standards in the United States, you may refer to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
History of the 472 Area Code
The history of area code 472 is rooted in the need to accommodate the continuous demand for new phone numbers in southeastern North Carolina. As the region experienced growth in both its population and its local economy, as well as expanding use of cell phones, fax machines, and other devices, the supply of available numbers in area code 910 began to run low.
To resolve this challenge without forcing existing users to change their numbers, regulators introduced the 472 area code as an overlay. This approach allows new phone customers to receive a 472 number, while people and businesses that already have a 910 number are allowed to keep it.
How Many People Use the 472 Area Code?
Area code 472, in combination with its counterpart 910, serves a large and growing population throughout southeastern North Carolina. This includes hundreds of thousands of residents, as well as a broad range of businesses, institutions, and government offices. Cities such as Fayetteville, Wilmington, and Jacksonville are at the heart of the area covered by these codes, but the overlay extends service to many nearby communities as well.
Since the overlay went into effect, new telephone numbers assigned in this part of the state may have either the 910 or 472 area code, depending on the availability of numbers at the time of assignment. As the number of phone users continues to grow—driven by population increases, mobile device use, and ongoing economic development—the proportion of 472 numbers will steadily rise.
Is the 472 Area Code Toll-Free?
The 472 area code is not a toll-free area code. Instead, it is a standard geographic area code used for local and long-distance telephone services throughout southeastern North Carolina. Calls placed to 472 numbers are billed according to the terms of your individual phone plan. Local and long-distance rates may apply based on your service provider and call destination.
Toll-free area codes in the United States are purposefully set aside to allow callers to reach businesses or organizations without incurring phone charges. These toll-free codes include 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833. Area code 472 does not fall into this category.
If you would like to learn more about area codes and toll-free regulations, you can visit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554, or call 1-888-225-5322 for further information.