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What is the 917 Area Code?
Is it legitimate or a scam?
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What Is 917 Area Code
The 917 area code is a telephone area code covering five important boroughs of New York City, namely The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
In 1992, this area code was created to increase the number of telephone numbers in the New York City area as there was a shortage of numbers due to New York’s increasing population.
The 917 area code was intended to be an overlay code to all Numbering Plan Areas (NPAs) covering devices such as cell phones, voicemail applications, and pagers.
However, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) did not allow area code 917 to be used this way but allowed its use in New York City.
You can also find 917 area codes assigned to landlines in the Manhattan area again to deal with the telephone number shortage.
Today, the 917 area code competes with the 212 area code along with a few other area codes as one of the most sought-after area codes in New York City.
Keep reading as I will tell you about the history of the 917 area code, where it’s located, and more.
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History of 917 Area Code
Today, the 917 area code is used primarily in five boroughs of New York City.
In 1947, all boroughs in New York City were assigned the 212 area code when the North American Number Plan was established.
Thirty-seven years later, in 1984, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island were assigned the 718 area code leaving the 212 area codes for Manhattan and The Bronx.
Then, on February 4, 1992, the 917 area code was introduced as the first overlay code in the North American Number Plan with the intention to free up telephone numbers to be assigned to landlines.
All cell phone numbers in the New York City area were changed to the 917 area code.
However, the Federal Communications Commission did not allow area codes to be restricted to specific types of devices but grandfathered the 917 area codes that were already assigned.
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Where Is 917 Area Code
The 917 area code is an area code serving all five boroughs of New York City, meaning The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
While the 212 area code in New York City gets you to think of the high-rise offices, big businesses, and fast-paced lifestyle, the 917 area code makes you think of a more old-school New York.
There are over 250 neighborhoods in the five boroughs of New York City, stretching over 300 square miles, and serving 8.3 million residents.
You can find the 917 area code in Downtown Flushing, Prospect Park, Time Square, Central Park, Coney Island, and Yankee Stadium.
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917 Area Code Location
The 917 area code covers the New York City area and is an overlay for the area codes of 212, 646, 718, 347, and 929.
Here are the cities that use the 917 area code in the New York City area:
- Arverne
- Astoria
- Bayside
- Bellerose
- Breezy Point
- Bronx
- Brooklyn
- Cambria Heights
- College Point
- Corona
- East Elmhurst
- Elmhurst
- Far Rockaway
- Flushing
- Forest Hills
- Fresh Meadows
- Glen Oaks
- Hollis
- Howard Beach
- Jackson Heights
- Jamaica
- Kew Gardens
- Little Neck
- Long Island City
- Maspeth
- Middle Village
- New York
- New York (Manhattan)
- Oakland Gardens
- Ozone Park
- Queens
- Queens Village
- Rego Park
- Richmond Hill
- Ridgewood
- Rockaway Park
- Rosedale
- South Ozone Park
- South Richmond Hill
- Springfield Gardens
- St Albans
- Staten Island
- Sunnyside
- Whitestone
- Woodhaven
- Woodside
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917 Area Code FAQ
What is the oldest mobile area code in New York City?
The 917 area code is the oldest mobile area code in New York City.
It was established on February 4, 1994, as the first overlay area code in the North American Number Plan.
All cell phones in the New York City area were switched to the 917 area code when it was introduced.
However, the FCC found the practice of assigning area codes to specific devices like cell phones as impermissible but grandfathered the assigned 917 area codes.
Is the 917 area code legit or a scam?
The 917 area code is a legitimate area code.
However, this does not mean that all calls you get through a 917 area code are legitimate.
In other words, you can have a legitimate area code but the caller may be a scammer.
Before you take a call from a 917 area code or share sensitive information about yourself, make sure you know who is calling.
Where is the 917 area code located?
The 917 area code is located in the Eastern time zone also known as America/New York.
The top five counties using the 917 area code are Kings, Queens, New York, Bronx, and Richmond.
The top three cities using the 917 area code are New York, Bellerose Terrace, and Bellerose.
Here is the list of all cities in the city of New York using the 917 area code:
- Arverne
- Astoria
- Bayside
- Bellerose
- Breezy Point
- Bronx
- Brooklyn
- Cambria Heights
- College Point
- Corona
- East Elmhurst
- Elmhurst
- Far Rockaway
- Flushing
- Forest Hills
- Fresh Meadows
- Glen Oaks
- Hollis
- Howard Beach
- Jackson Heights
- Jamaica
- Kew Gardens
- Little Neck
- Long Island City
- Maspeth
- Middle Village
- New York
- New York (Manhattan)
- Oakland Gardens
- Ozone Park
- Queens
- Queens Village
- Rego Park
- Richmond Hill
- Ridgewood
- Rockaway Park
- Rosedale
- South Ozone Park
- South Richmond Hill
- Springfield Gardens
- St Albans
- Staten Island
- Sunnyside
- Whitestone
- Woodhaven
- Woodside
When did the 917 area code come into service?
The 917 area code came into service on February 4, 1992, and is an overlay area code part of two distinct overlay complexes: 212/646/917/332 and 718/347/917/929.
Initially, it was intended to cover all cell phones in the New York City area.
However, the FCC ruled that area codes cannot be restricted to specific types of devices.
Why get a telephone number with the 917 area code?
There are many companies and organizations that may want to do business in the New York City area.
Today, one of the most coveted area codes in the New York City area is the “917 area code”.
With this area code, you can target local customers in the 212, 917, and other popular area codes in New York City.
In addition, many organizations feel that the 917 area code provides them with more credibility and trust.
In what time zone is the 917 area code?
The 917 area code is within the Eastern Time zone (ET).
The time difference between GMT/UTC is -5:00 hours.
On the map, you’ll find the 917 area code covering Bayside, Bronx, Brooklyn, Flushing, Manhattan, New York, Saint Albans, South Richmond Hill, Staten Island, and Woodside.

Takeaways
So there you have it folks!
What is the 917 area code?
The 917 area code covers New York City’s five boroughs, namely The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
In this area code, you will find yellow cabs, bright lights, skyscrapers, great restaurants, parks, and great attractions.
As one of its oldest mobile area codes, the 917 area code is one of the most coveted area codes in New York City.
This area code was introduced on February 4, 1994, for all mobile phone numbers and pagers to free up telephone numbers for landlines.
However, the FCC did not allow 917 to be strictly assigned to mobile phones and pagers.
Nonetheless, the 917 had already become highly popular in the New York City area showing a person’s status in the days when only the wealthy could afford a mobile phone.
Now that you know all about the 917 area code, its location, time zone, and where it’s located on the map, good luck with your research!
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