Area code 508
Encyclopedia
Area codes 508 and 774 are NANPA
area codes in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
. 508 was split
from 617
on July 16, 1988 and finished January 1, 1989. Prior to the creation of 508, all of eastern & central Massachusetts used the 617 area code. In addition, northeastern Massachusetts, originally a part of the 508 area code, was given the 978 area code
designation on September 1 1997, the same day 781
split from 617. The 508 area code is overlaid
by area code 774 (created on May 2 2001) and services central and Southeastern Massachusetts
, including the cities and towns of Worcester
, Westborough
, Framingham
, Plymouth, Taunton
, Brockton
, Franklin
, Fall River
, Dartmouth
, New Bedford
and Somerset
; in addition to the Cape and Islands
region. The largest city, by population, in this overlay is Worcester
, the 2nd most populous city in the commonwealth.
North American Numbering Plan
The North American Numbering Plan is an integrated telephone numbering plan administered by Neustar which encompasses 24 countries and territories, including the United States and its territories, Canada, Bermuda, and 16 nations of the Caribbean...
area codes in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. 508 was split
Split plan
In telephony, a split plan is the practice of introducing a new area code by dividing an existing area code's territory and applying the new area code to one of the resulting divisions, replacing the existing area code within that section....
from 617
Area code 617
Area code 617 covers the city of Boston, Massachusetts and some of its inner suburbs. Until July 16 1988, 617 had covered all of eastern and central Massachusetts. Area codes 508 and 781 were split off from 617. 617 was one of the original area codes from October, 1947...
on July 16, 1988 and finished January 1, 1989. Prior to the creation of 508, all of eastern & central Massachusetts used the 617 area code. In addition, northeastern Massachusetts, originally a part of the 508 area code, was given the 978 area code
Area code 978
Area codes 978 and 351 are Commonwealth of Massachusetts area codes serving the communities of Salem, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Peabody, Fitchburg and Leominster as well as northeastern Massachusetts. Area code 978 was created as a split from Worcester's 508 on September 1, 1997, it finished...
designation on September 1 1997, the same day 781
Area code 781
Under the North American Numbering Plan for telephone area codes, area codes 781 and 339 cover most of suburban Boston, Massachusetts and most of The South Shore...
split from 617. The 508 area code is overlaid
Overlay plan
In telephony, especially in North America, an overlay plan is the practice of introducing a new area code by applying it onto a geographic area that is already occupied by one or more existing area codes, resulting in two area codes serving the same area.- Methodology :Prior to the introduction of...
by area code 774 (created on May 2 2001) and services central and Southeastern Massachusetts
Southeastern Massachusetts
Southeastern Massachusetts is a term that refers to those portions of Massachusetts which are, by their proximity, economically and culturally linked to Providence, Rhode Island as well as Boston.-Definition:...
, including the cities and towns of Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
, Westborough
Westborough, Massachusetts
Westborough is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 18,272 at the 2010 census. The town is governed under the New England open town meeting system, headed by a five member elected Board of Selectmen whose duties include licensing, appointing various...
, Framingham
Framingham, Massachusetts
Framingham is a New England town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 68,318 as of the United States 2010 Census. -History:...
, Plymouth, Taunton
Taunton, Massachusetts
Taunton is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the seat of Bristol County and the hub of the Greater Taunton Area. The city is located south of Boston, east of Providence, north of Fall River and west of Plymouth. The City of Taunton is situated on the Taunton River...
, Brockton
Brockton, Massachusetts
Brockton is a city in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States; the population was 93,810 in the 2010 Census. Brockton, along with Plymouth, are the county seats of Plymouth County...
, Franklin
Franklin, Massachusetts
The Town of Franklin is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 31,635 at the 2010 census.-History:Franklin was first settled by Europeans in 1660 and was officially incorporated during the American Revolution. The town was formed from the western part of the town...
, Fall River
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
, Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Dartmouth is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States established in 1664. The population was 30,665 at the 2000 census. It is the location of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth....
, New Bedford
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
and Somerset
Somerset, Massachusetts
Somerset is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 18,234 at the 2000 census. It is the birthplace and hometown of Clifford Milburn Holland , the chief engineer and namesake of the Holland Tunnel in New York City....
; in addition to the Cape and Islands
Cape Cod and Islands
Cape Cod and the Islands is a common local name for the area of southeast Massachusetts including Barnstable , Dukes , and Nantucket Counties, and by some definitions including part or all of the towns of Plymouth and Wareham...
region. The largest city, by population, in this overlay is Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
, the 2nd most populous city in the commonwealth.
See also
- List of area codes in Massachusetts
- List of NANP area codes
- North American Numbering PlanNorth American Numbering PlanThe North American Numbering Plan is an integrated telephone numbering plan administered by Neustar which encompasses 24 countries and territories, including the United States and its territories, Canada, Bermuda, and 16 nations of the Caribbean...