Where is Area Code 773?
Area code 773 primarily serves the City of Chicago in Illinois. It covers a substantial part of the city outside the downtown core, which is served by area code 312. Cook County is the principal county within this numbering plan, and several notable Chicago neighborhoods fall under its jurisdiction. These locations include:
- Lake View
- Logan Square
- Hyde Park
- Irving Park
- Avondale
Local residents and businesses can find more detailed information regarding municipal services at the City of Chicago's official resources. For further inquiries about state-related matters, please refer to the State of Illinois' official site.
Illinois Commerce Commission, 527 E. Capitol Avenue, Springfield, IL 62701 oversees state-level public utilities and telecommunications regulations that apply to area code 773 and other areas. Should you have any concerns about regulatory matters or policy compliance, you may consult the Illinois Commerce Commission area code regulations.
What time zone is 773 area code in the USA?
The 773 area code region observes the Central Time Zone (CT). This time zone follows standard times and adheres to Daylight Saving Time (DST) protocols as mandated by federal regulations. Under DST, local clocks move forward by one hour in the spring and revert to standard time in the fall. Guidelines for time zone changes and associated policies may be found through the Federal Communications Commission guidelines under the “Time Zone and DST Compliance” section or by contacting the Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554 directly.
History of the 773 Area Code
The 773 area code was established in 1996 as a result of growing demand for additional numbers in the City of Chicago. It was originally split from area code 312, which historically covered both downtown Chicago and surrounding neighborhoods. Notable details include:
- 1996: Introduction of 773 to relieve the heavily utilized 312 numbering plan.
- Early 2000s: Rapid cellphone expansion led to heavy consumption of available numbers.
- 2009: Area code 872 was introduced as an overlay for both 312 and 773, providing further numbering capacity for all Chicago residents and businesses.
- Ongoing Demand: The proliferation of mobile devices, internet services, and new commercial developments continues to sustain demand for new telephone numbers within the city.
How Many People Use the 773 Area Code?
Chicago’s total population surpasses 2.7 million, and a significant portion of these residents utilize phone numbers within area code 773. While the precise number of assigned lines can fluctuate as service providers update their inventories, industry estimates often cite well over one million active phone numbers under this prefix. Key factors contributing to this usage rate include:
- Residential growth in neighborhoods outside downtown Chicago.
- The expansion of business districts and small enterprises throughout the city.
- Increased need for connected devices and secondary phone lines.
For the most up-to-date data on the number of assigned lines and population coverage, the Illinois Commerce Commission official site provides periodic reports submitted by telephone service providers.
Is the 773 Area Code Toll-Free?
The 773 area code is classified as a geographic code, not a toll-free code. Calls made within the same area typically incur local charges or are included in local service plans, while long-distance charges may apply for calls placed outside designated coverage zones. Unlike toll-free codes (such as 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, or 833), 773 does not offer automatic caller billing reversal. It operates under the standard billing and routing practices observed across most U.S. geographic area codes.