Kentucky picks new area code for Louisville as 502 nears capacity

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Kentucky Public Service Commission said Louisville's new area code will be 761.

Earlier this year, state officials held a meeting in Louisville to plan for 2027, when the 502 area code exhausts its available numbers. On Tuesday, the state said in a news release the new area code will be 761 and "will likely begin to be assigned in 2027."

Almost every area in the country has used what's called an "overlay" in the past 20 years. That means you keep your phone number, but, when the numbers run out, new customers will get a number with the new, different area code.

The only change for existing 502 number-holders will be they'll have to begin utilizing ten-digit dialing, when making a call within the 502/761 area.

"Then 10-digit dialing would be mandatory, meaning you have to dial an area code before you make a phone call anywhere within the 502," said J.E.B. Pinney, executive advisor at the Kentucky Public Service Commission, earlier this year. "So currently you don't have to dial 502 if you're making a call within it, especially if you're on a landline, but that would have to change."

A specific date for implementation of the 761 area code hasn't been set, though the state said it's standard for a new area code to be in place at least six months before the existing one runs out.

This story may be updated.