Where is area code 861?

Area code 861 serves Peoria, Illinois and nearby communities including Aledo, Altona, Anchor. The full city list is in the cities table above.

Why am I getting calls from 861 numbers?

861 is an active, legitimate Illinois area code, but scammers spoof local numbers because people answer them. If there's no voicemail, let it go. AT&T ActiveArmor(R) blocks and labels spam automatically, and you can report unwanted calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The spam report board above shows which 861 prefixes are drawing complaints right now.

When was area code 861 created?

Area code 861 entered service in 1957 and still covers Peoria and the surrounding Illinois communities today. The full timeline is in the history section above.

Which cities use area code 861?

The largest communities include Aledo, Altona, Anchor, Astoria, Atlanta. The full list is in the cities table above.

Does AT&T offer service in the 861?

Yes: home internet, wireless and retail stores across the 861. Availability is checked address by address.

Can I still get an 861 number?

Yes. Carriers in Peoria and across the 861 still issue 861 numbers on new lines, and you can port an existing 861 number to any carrier.

Can I keep my 861 number if I move?

Yes. Phone numbers are portable: your 861 number can move with you anywhere in the U.S., whether you stay with your carrier or switch.

861 Area Code: Peoria’s Newest Overlay | Who Called, Map & Local Time

Who called me from area code 861?

Quick answerA real 861 call comes from Peoria or nearby communities, but 861 numbers are still much rarer than 309 ones, so treat an unfamiliar one with extra care: caller ID can be spoofed. If there’s no voicemail, let it go: legitimate callers leave messages.

No voicemail? Let it go. Real callers leave messages.
Recognize the pattern? Check the number in the prefix lookup.
Getting repeats? ActiveArmor® blocks and labels them automatically.
Same prefix calling again? Compare it against this month’s most-reported prefixes from the region, right on this page.
Curious who issued a number? Every assigned prefix belongs to a carrier - the registry will name each 861 prefix as it comes into service.

No 861 spam patterns have been reported yet: the code is too new. Spoofers imitate the established local codes first, so the current patterns below come from the 309 board.

Most-reported 309-region prefixes this monthReviewed August 2026

PrefixReported patternReport volume

(309) 301-XXXXLive callers + robocalls220

(309) 312-XXXXLive callers + robocalls8

(309) 799-XXXXLive callers + robocalls8

(309) 967-XXXXLive callers + robocalls8

(309) 225-XXXXLive callers + robocalls6

371 unwanted-call reports naming 861 numbers in FTC Do Not Call complaint data, July 29 – August 13, 2026. Consumer-reported and unverified.

Block spam calls from area code 861 with AT&T ActiveArmor®

Network-level security that screens the calls this page is about - included with AT&T wireless plans:

Fraud calls blocked automatically on the network
Suspected spam labeled before you answer
Caller ID & custom call blocking in the free app

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Reverse number lookup
Identity monitoring & identity theft insurance

Included with AT&T wireless plans. Requires compatible device/service and download of the AT&T ActiveArmor® app. Other terms & restrictions apply. May not detect all threats and may block wanted calls. Some features require Advanced mobile security ($7/mo.). See terms.

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Service good for 30 days. Data: Limited to 100GB of data and 25GB of hotspot data. No additional data is available after limit is reached. Video is limited to SD quality. Talk & Text: Includes unlimited talk & text within the U.S. and unlimited text from the U.S. to over 230 countries. Limits: One trial per user. An unlocked, GSM-compatible iOS or Android phone with eSIM capability is required. You’ll receive a trial phone number that belongs to AT&T and is not available to be ported to another carrier or otherwise retained. Trial plan features and details may differ from or be unavailable in other AT&T plans. U.S. only. All terms subject to change at any time.

Is area code 861 a scam?

No. 861 is a legitimate Peoria area code.

It’s in service since 1957 and serves Peoria and surrounding communities. But legitimacy of the code says nothing about any single call. Scammers spoof local numbers constantly.

The code is realLive since February 2023; carrier prefixes are only beginning to roll out, so 861 numbers are still rare.

Spoofing happens“Neighbor spoofing” fakes local numbers. No voicemail? Let it go.

Screening includedActiveArmor® labels and blocks suspected spam. Included with AT&T wireless plans.

Been targeted? Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Reports feed the complaint data that powers spam blocking.

Scam texts from area code 861 numbers

The most common area code 861 text scam is the “wrong number” opener: a friendly message that pretends to know you, then moves the chat to WhatsApp and eventually to an investment pitch.

Scripts currently circulating:

“U at home?” · “Are you busy tomorrow?” · “How are you doing?”

Delivery-problem and job-offer texts that link out to a login page

Don’t reply. A response marks your number as live. Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM), and AT&T ActiveArmor® filters known senders automatically.

How number spoofing works in area code 861

Caller ID is easy to forge. Spoofing fakes the number a call displays. The real owner of that 861 number isn’t involved and usually has no idea. That’s why blocking one number rarely stops the calls.

A call from a number almost identical to yours(same 861 and prefix) is “mirror spoofing.” A missed call from your own number is never worth returning.
Strangers calling you back saying you called them?Your 861 number is being spoofed. It typically passes within days, and you don’t need a new number. Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
The caller-ID checkmark:AT&T verifies network calls (STIR/SHAKEN). A verified mark means the displayed number wasn’t faked. No mark doesn’t always mean scam, but treat it with more caution.

Spoofed or not, the rule holds: unexpected caller, no voicemail? Let it go.

861 area code prefix & carrier lookup

The three digits after the area code identify the carrier a number was issued to. 861 is so new that few or no carrier prefixes are in service yet: the registry below shows the standard service codes every area code reserves. Carrier prefixes will appear here as numbers ship; the guide 309 board shows what a mature registry for this region looks like.

This isn’t a reverse phone lookup: no legitimate free service can tell you who owns a specific number. What a prefix does show, once assigned: the carrier that issued it, whether it’s wireless, landline or VoIP, and the community it belongs to.

0 carrier prefixes in the registry yet · checked monthly

Prefix	Assignment	Line type
861-211	Community services	Service code
861-311	City services	Service code
861-411	Directory assistance	Service code
861-511	Traffic information	Service code
861-555	Reserved (directory / fictional use)	Service code
861-611	Carrier customer service	Service code
861-700	Carrier-specific services	Service code
861-711	Telecommunications relay	Service code
861-811	Call before you dig	Service code
861-911	Emergency services	Service code
861-950	Carrier access (reserved)	Service code
861-958	Network testing (reserved)	Service code
861-959	Network testing (reserved)	Service code
861-976	Premium services (reserved)	Service code

Cities & Communities in and around Area Code 861

From Aledo to Altona and Anchor, these are the communities that call the 861 home. Each city below shows its key ZIP codes, the internet service available there, and a link to local AT&T details.

City / community	Key ZIP codes	AT&T internet
Aledo	61231, 61260	AT&T Internet Air
Altona	61414, 61467, 61419	AT&T Internet Air
Anchor	61720, 61731, 61728	AT&T Internet Air
Astoria	61501, 62624, 61484	AT&T Internet Air
Atlanta	61723, 61751, 61754	AT&T Internet Air
Banner	61520, 61533, 61524	Check address
Bartonville	61607, 61605, 61610	Check address
Bayview Gardens	–	Check address
Bellevue	61604, 61605, 61625	Check address
Bloomington	61701, 61704, 61761	AT&T Internet Air
Bradford	61421, 61426, 61424	AT&T Internet Air
Brimfield	61517, 61529, 61451	AT&T Internet Air
Buda	61314, 61379, 61345	AT&T Internet Air
Bushnell	61422, 61470, 61416	AT&T Internet Air
Cambridge	61238, 61233, 61274	AT&T Internet Air
Canton	61520, 61553, 61563	AT&T Internet Air
Carbon Cliff	61239, 61282, 61244	Check address
Carlock	61725, 61705, 61732	AT&T Internet Air
Chenoa	61726	AT&T Internet Air
Chillicothe	61523, 61562, 61526	AT&T Internet Air
Cleveland	61241, 61236, 61239	Check address
Coal Valley	61240, 61265, 61282	AT&T Internet Air
Colchester	62326, 62374	AT&T Internet Air
Colfax	61728, 61720, 61730	AT&T Internet Air
Colona	61241, 61236, 61239	AT&T Internet Air
Cordova	61242, 52768, 52753	AT&T Internet Air
Creve Coeur	61610, 61602, 61605	AT&T Internet Air
Cuba	61427, 61433, 61519	AT&T Internet Air
Danvers	61732, 61705, 61725	AT&T Internet Air
Deer Creek	61733, 61742, 61550	AT&T Internet Air
Delavan	61734, 61747, 62635	AT&T Internet Air
Downs	61736, 61704, 61745	AT&T Internet Air
Dunlap	61525, 61528, 61552	AT&T Internet Air
East Galesburg	61430, 61448, 61401	AT&T Internet Air
East Moline	61244, 61236, 61239	AT&T Internet Air
East Peoria	61611, 61603, 61602	AT&T Internet Air
Elmwood	61529, 61572, 61517	AT&T Internet Air
Fairview	61432, 61544, 61431	AT&T Internet Air
Farmer City	61842, 61854	AT&T Internet Air
Farmington	61531, 61553, 61569	AT&T Internet Air
Galesburg	61401, 61402, 61430	AT&T Internet Air
Geneseo	61254, 61235	AT&T Internet Air
Germantown Hills	61548, 61571, 61611	Check address
Gilson	61436, 61448, 61458	AT&T Internet Air
Glasford	61533, 61539, 61547	AT&T Internet Air
Hampton	61256, 52767, 61244	Check address
Hanna City	61536, 61569, 61528	AT&T Internet Air
Heyworth	61745, 61777, 61772	AT&T Internet Air
Hopedale	61747, 61759, 61734	AT&T Internet Air
Hudson	61748, 61761, 61776	AT&T Internet Air
Industry	61440, 61452, 61411	AT&T Internet Air
Knoxville	61448, 61430, 61436	AT&T Internet Air
Lacon	61540, 61565, 61537	AT&T Internet Air
Le Roy	61752, 61736	AT&T Internet Air
Lewistown	61542, 61519, 61427	AT&T Internet Air
Lexington	61753, 61776, 61726	AT&T Internet Air
Liverpool	61543, 61567, 61542	Check address
London Mills	61544, 61458, 61474	AT&T Internet Air
Mackinaw	61755, 61733, 61759	AT&T Internet Air
Macomb	61455, 61416, 62326	AT&T Internet Air
Manito	61546, 61532, 61534	AT&T Internet Air
Mapleton	61547, 61539, 61607	AT&T Internet Air
Maquon	61458, 61436, 61572	AT&T Internet Air
Mc Lean	–	AT&T Internet Air
Metamora	61548, 61545, 61571	AT&T Internet Air
Milan	61264, 61201, 61265	AT&T Internet Air
Minonk	61760, 61358, 61321	AT&T Internet Air
Moline	61265, 61201, 61282	AT&T Internet Air
Monmouth	61462, 61435, 61447	AT&T Internet Air
Morton	61550, 61535, 61571	AT&T Internet Air
Mossville	61552, 61614, 61616	AT&T Internet Air
Normal	61761, 61701, 61705	AT&T Internet Air
Norris	61553, 61531, 61520	AT&T Internet Air
Oak Grove	61264, 61201, 61265	Check address
Oneida	61467, 61414, 61488	AT&T Internet Air
Orion	61273, 61274, 61262	AT&T Internet Air
Osco	61274, 61233, 61262	AT&T Internet Air
Pekin	61554, 61547, 61564	AT&T Internet Air
Peoria	61614, 61616, 61615	AT&T Internet Air
Peoria Heights	61616, 61614, 61603	AT&T Internet Air
Plymouth	62367, 62311, 62374	AT&T Internet Air
Port Byron	61275, 52753, 61278	AT&T Internet Air
Princeville	61559, 61526, 61525	AT&T Internet Air
Rio	61472, 61466, 61413	AT&T Internet Air
Roanoke	61561, 61516, 61771	AT&T Internet Air
Rock Island	61201, 52802, 52801	AT&T Internet Air
Saybrook	61770, 61722, 61724	AT&T Internet Air
Sheffield	61361, 61314, 61345	AT&T Internet Air
Silvis	61282, 61239, 61244	Check address
Sparland	61565, 61540, 61537	AT&T Internet Air
Taylor Ridge	61264, 61284, 61232	AT&T Internet Air
Tennessee	62326, 62374, 62367	AT&T Internet Air
Toluca	61369, 61358, 61541	AT&T Internet Air
Topeka	61567, 61543, 61532	AT&T Internet Air
Toulon	61483, 61449, 61491	AT&T Internet Air
Towanda	61776, 61761, 61748	AT&T Internet Air
Tremont	61568, 61535, 61550	AT&T Internet Air
Trivoli	61569, 61536, 61529	AT&T Internet Air
Viola	61486, 61263, 61465	AT&T Internet Air
Washington	61571, 61611, 61550	AT&T Internet Air
West Peoria	61604, 61625, 61605	Check address
Williamsfield	61489, 61451, 61428	AT&T Internet Air
Yates City	61572, 61529, 61531	AT&T Internet Air

City list: AT&T service-area records and the public numbering registry. Key ZIPs: U.S. Census data for each community. Internet type: AT&T eligibility data, June 2026. Availability is always confirmed at your exact address.

861 area code map

Coverage area

Area code 861 covers the Peoria area: Fulton, Henderson, Henry, Knox, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McLean and 7 more counties. Hover the map for each one.

Overlay codes

One more code, 309, covers the exact same territory as 861. Its full guide is linked in the Nearby section below.

Major cities

Peoria, Bloomington, Normal, Moline, Rock Island, Pekin.

Where 861 sits in IllinoisAll 17 codes ›

Your code is the blue pill. Hover any neighbor to see its code; tap to open it.

861

Peoria

Take the map with youPrintable one-page map of the 861 region with cities and county lines, plus a QR code back to this page.↓ Download the printable PDF

Counties covered by the 861 area code

The 861 area code serves 18 counties in Illinois - the largest by population below.

Peoria County

Share of combined population19%

Population179,630

McLean County

Share of combined population18%

Population172,069

Rock Island County

Share of combined population15%

Population142,731

Tazewell County

Share of combined population13%

Population129,821

All 18 counties: De Witt, Fulton, Henderson, Henry, Knox, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McLean, Mercer, Peoria, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, Whiteside, Woodford.

Counties are served in whole or in part; population is U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023. The 861 also reaches parts of Knox County, Henry County, Woodford County, Fulton County, Bureau County, Logan County, McDonough County, Hancock County and 6 more.

The 861, explained

Area code 861: more than a number in Peoria

In Peoria, a new area code is a population milestone. The 861 went live in February 2023, the second code layered over the same territory as 309, and the clearest sign yet of how the region keeps growing. Carrying one today marks you as one of the area’s newest arrivals: the numbers are only beginning to ship.

The map tells its own story: Peoria and surrounding communities, with no overlay on its territory. The area and the code are still one and the same - rare in Illinois and getting rarer nationwide.

Keeping an 861 matters here. An existing 861 number ports to a new phone, a new carrier, or a new AT&T line, and stays yours anywhere in the U.S.

Need a new local number? Shop plans Keep your 861: bring it to AT&T

AT&T in the 861

Internet, wireless & stores in the 861

AT&T home internet in area code 861

AT&T home internet serves communities across area code 861, with AT&T Fiber where it’s built and AT&T Internet Air covering the gaps. Availability is decided address by address; every community in the table above links to its local internet page.

No data capsNo annual contractNo equipment fees

AT&T Fiber: Ltd. avail/areas. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds vary. For 5-GIG, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info., visit att.com/speed101. AT&T Internet Air: AT&T Internet Air not available in all areas. In rare cases, if your usage is contributing to congestion on the network, AT&T will greatly reduce your speed for a minimum of 30 min.

Check availability at your address Home internet in Peoria ›

Pair it with wireless in an internet + wireless bundle. Run a business in the 861? AT&T Business Internet is available at many addresses.

Family streaming together on AT&T home internet

Fiber install day in the 861Check your address ›

Moving to area code 861?

Set up home internet in area code 861 before the boxes arrive, and find your new community in the table above or check your exact address below.

Your number moves with you: port your 861 number from anywhere, or keep your old number when you arrive. An AT&T store nearby can handle the whole switch in one visit.

1 · Check your addressSee Fiber or AT&T Internet Air availability in seconds.

2 · Schedule for move-in dayInstall lined up before the boxes arrive.

3 · Keep your numberYour mobile number ports; your internet moves.

Plan your move with AT&T

Couple setting up internet on a laptop among moving boxes

Get set up before move-in dayPlan your move ›

AT&T wireless in area code 861

AT&T’s 5G network covers most of area code 861. ActiveArmor® spam blocking is included with every unlimited plan, your 861 number stays yours, and great cell phone deals in Peoria are a tap away.

5G across the 861ActiveArmor® includedKeep your 861 number

AT&T may temporarily slow data speeds if the network is busy. 5G req’s compatible plan & device. Coverage not available everywhere. Learn more at att.com/5Gforyou.

Shop wireless plans Bring your 861 number ›

Need a new 861 number? Ask when you activate a line, and porting an existing 861 number keeps it yours.

See the AT&T wireless coverage map for the 861 ›

Woman smiling at her phone on an Peoria street

Stay connected across PeoriaShop wireless plans ›

Get a 861 phone number

New 861 numbers are issued as existing numbers recycle back into the pool. When you activate a new line, personal or business, you can pick your area code during activation. Already have one you love? Porting protects it when you switch.

For you

Pick an 861 during new-line activation - in the app or in a store. Moving to Peoria? Port your number in, or start fresh with a local one.

Shop AT&T wireless plans ›

For your business

An 861 number on your signage and caller ID reads as established in Peoria - and local numbers see higher answer rates than out-of-area or toll-free lines.

Explore Business wireless ›

AT&T stores in area code 861

Looking for cell phone stores in area code 861? These stores answer on 861 numbers - walk in for switching, porting, upgrades and hands-on help:

Bloomington AT&T Store Bloomington Store 305 N Veterans Pkwy, Bloomington+1 861-808-5062

Bloomington AT&T Store Veterans 2109 Veterans Pky, Bloomington+1 861-662-3262

Peoria AT&T Store Peoria 8917 N Allen Rd, Peoria+1 861-322-2001

Cell phone stores in Peoria › All 9 locations: company owned and authorized retailers

Every AT&T store in the region, company owned and authorized retailer alike, each with its own store page.

AT&T store employee helping a customer with her phone

Real help from real people in PeoriaFind your store ›

All AT&T stores in the 861 region

Every store below answers on a local 309-region number. Tap any number to call.

8 AT&T stores with 861 numbers

City	Store	Phone
Bloomington	AT&T Store Veterans	+1 861-662-3262
Bloomington	AT&T Store Bloomington Store	+1 861-808-5062
East Peoria	AT&T Store East Peoria	+1 861-740-4244
Galesburg	AT&T Store Galesburg	+1 861-550-7277
Moline	AT&T Store Moline	+1 861-740-0683
Peoria	AT&T Store Peoria	+1 861-683-3282
Peoria	AT&T Store Peoria	+1 861-322-2001
Silvis	AT&T Store Silvis	+1 861-272-1177

International Calling from Area Code 861

Calling abroad from area code 861? AT&T International Calling adds discounted or unlimited rates to 200+ countries on top of your existing plan, and unlimited texting from the U.S. to 200+ destinations is already included on AT&T unlimited plans.

Calling area code 861 from overseas? Dial your country’s exit code, then 1 861 and the number - full steps in How to dial an 861 number.

Where the 861 calls most:MexicoIndiaPolandPhilippinesChina

Top places of birth among foreign-born residents of the 861’s counties, U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023.

Calling abroad from an 861 number: dial 011 + country code + number (or just + on a mobile).

International Calling and International Day Pass® availability, rates and included destinations vary by plan; see att.com for the current country list.

See international calling plans

Traveling abroad instead? International Day Pass® takes your AT&T wireless talk, text and data with you for a flat daily rate. Not an AT&T wireless customer yet? Try AT&T Wireless^℠ free for 30 days.

Father and son waving during a video call with family abroad

Peoria calls the worldSee international plans ›

861 area code quick facts & dialing

StateIllinois

Time zoneCentral

Overlays309same map, same region

In service2023newest layer over the 309 region

Dialing10 digitsrequired across the region

Toll-free?Nogeographic code

Population984,000counties served, Census 2023

Largest cityPeoria+102 more ›

How to dial an 861 number

Scenario	Format	Example
Local call (within the region)	861 + 7-digit number	(861) 555-0100
Long distance (within the U.S.)	1 + 861 + 7-digit number	1 (861) 555-0100
Calling 861 from another country	+1 861 + 7-digit number	+1 861 555 0100
From a mobile phone	(861) + 7-digit number	(861) 555-0100

A short history of area code 861

Approved as numbering relief for the 309 region and live since February 2023, 861 is the second code to serve this territory. It exists for one reason: the region keeps growing, and the 309 pool of assignable numbers was running low.

1957Placed in service

2023861 goes live as an overlay in February

Area code 861 vs the related codes

Code	Added	Type	Where it works
861	2023	Overlay	Peoria and surrounding communities
309	1957	Original	Same territory as 861

Same rates, same local dialing: a number from any code in the region works exactly like an 861.

Nearby & related area codes

309Shares this map 217Also Illinois 815Also Illinois 779Also Illinois 331Also Illinois 630Also Illinois

Browse area codes by state: Illinois (16) · California (41) · Texas (29) · Florida (23) · all 50 states ›

Area code 861 FAQ

What area code is 861?

861 is the newest area code for Peoria and the surrounding communities in Illinois. It went live in February 2023 and covers the exact same territory as 309.

Is area code 861 real or a scam?

861 is a legitimate Illinois area code, but it is brand new and numbers are still rare. If you get an 861 call today and you don’t know anyone with a new local number, be cautious: spoofing a new code is a known scam tactic. AT&T ActiveArmor labels suspected spam automatically.

Why did the 309 region get another area code?

Growth. The 309 pool was projected to run out of assignable numbers, so regulators approved 861 as an all-services overlay. Nothing changes for existing numbers; new lines simply start drawing from the new code.

Does 861 change my existing number?

No. Overlays never change existing numbers. Your 309 number stays exactly as it is; 861 only affects newly issued numbers.

How do I get an 861 number?

You don’t choose it directly: carriers assign numbers from whichever local code has inventory. As the older pool empties, new AT&T lines in the region will increasingly come with 861. There is no fee or action needed.

What area does 861 cover?

The full 309 territory: Fulton, Henderson, Henry, Knox, Marshall and Mason and 9 more counties, including Aledo, Altona, Anchor and the communities listed on this page.

When did 861 go live?

February 2023. It was approved as relief for the 309 numbering region, and carriers began activating it then. Numbers are still being issued gradually.

What time zone is area code 861?

Central Time: UTC-6 in winter, UTC-5 during daylight saving. The live local time is at the top of this page.

How do I dial an 861 number?

Dial all 10 digits: 861 plus the seven-digit number, the same as every code in the region. From outside the U.S., add the +1 country code first.

Why did I get a call from an 861 number?

Either someone with a brand-new local number, or a spoofed caller ID. Because 861 numbers are still scarce, an unfamiliar 861 call deserves more suspicion than a 309 call. Let it go to voicemail; real callers leave messages.

Is 861 a toll-free number?

No. 861 is a geographic area code for the Peoria region, not a toll-free prefix. U.S. toll-free numbers start with 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833.

What’s the difference between 861 and 309?

Age, and nothing else that matters day to day. 309 is the region’s established code; 861 is the 2023 newcomer. They cover the same map, calls between them are local, and both dial with 10 digits.

Can I keep an 861 number if I move?

Yes. Numbers port: an 861 number goes with you to a new phone, a new carrier or a new city anywhere in the U.S., just like any other area code.

Why did I get a text message from an 861 number?

Treat it carefully. Scam texts often rotate onto new codes because the numbers have no reputation yet. Don’t reply or tap links; forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) and delete it. AT&T ActiveArmor filters known scam senders automatically.

Will an 861 number work everywhere?

Yes. It’s a standard North American number: calls, texts and apps treat it like any local number. Some older web forms may not recognize very new codes at first; that resolves as databases update.

Sources: city and store data from AT&T records; prefix and carrier assignments from the public numbering registry (pulled July 2026). Facts regenerate monthly.