Think you’ve got a call from overseas because you see a 609 on your caller ID? Hold on a sec – the 609 country code isn’t what you might think.
609 country code
While country codes identify specific nations for international calls, 609 belongs in a different category altogether: area codes. That’s right, the 609 area code signifies a specific region within the United States – parts of central and southern New Jersey, to be exact.
So, if you see a 609 number, you’re not connecting with a faraway land, but rather someone in the vicinity of Trenton, Atlantic City, Princeton, or the Jersey Shore.
Here’s a breakdown of the 609 area code’s history and coverage:
- Origin Story: Established in 1958 as a split from area code 201, 609 initially covered all of southern New Jersey.
- Shifting Boundaries: In 1999, the southwestern portion was carved out to create area code 856.
- Sharing the Space: Today, 609 coexists with overlay area code 640, both serving the same geographic area.
Therefore, next time you come across a 609 number, you can ditch the passport – you’re just dealing with a local call within New Jersey.
