Seattle Introduces New 564 Area Code as 206 Numbers Deplete
Seattle is set to welcome a new area code, 564, as the demand for phone numbers in the region continues to rise. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission announced its approval of the new area code on Thursday, a necessary step to address the depletion of available numbers in the existing 206 area code.
Background on the Area Code Change
The 206 area code has long been associated with Seattle and surrounding areas, but it is projected that numbers will run out by the end of 2025. To ensure a smooth transition, the commission has instructed the telecommunications industry to devise a nine-month implementation plan, aiming to have the new area code operational six months before the 206 numbers are exhausted.
Current and Future Number Assignments
Existing phone numbers within the 206 area code will remain unchanged. The new 564 area code will only be assigned to new phone numbers once the supply of 206 numbers has been fully utilized.
Historical Context
The introduction of the 564 area code is not entirely new; it was initially approved as an overlay for western Washington back in 2000. However, it was not needed until 2017 when the 360 area code began to face shortages. Currently, the 564 area code is already in use across various regions, including:
- The Olympic Peninsula
- Southwest Washington
- Eastern Pierce and King Counties
- Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties
Dialing Changes
As part of the overlay implementation, Washington residents were required to switch to 10-digit dialing in the western part of the state starting in 2017. This change was necessary to prevent confusion between 564 numbers and those from other area codes that share the same seven-digit prefixes.
Previously, residents in the 509 area code were the only ones permitted to use seven-digit dialing until the introduction of the 988 number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline last fall.
The changes coming to Seattle’s telecommunication landscape reflect the growing demand for connectivity and the need for a robust numbering system in an increasingly digital world.
