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Area codes are so ingrained that it’s easy to forget they’re a recent necessity. But ever since 10-digit dialing started about a decade ago, they’ve become integral to your digital identity. Your area code tells the people you’re calling or texting where you’re from — or, if it’s a business phone number, it tells people where your business operates.
This doesn’t just help people decide your call is genuine and not some kind of spam or scam but also creates a rapport and gives you legitimacy. If you’re in the city of Madison and you’re looking for a landscaper, you’ll probably give somebody with the same area code a ring before you call up the company in Indianapolis. All to say — your area code matters.
With this in mind, let’s go deep on the 812 area code, including what places it covers, the impact it can have, and how to make it your own.
What’s the History of the 812 Area Code?
Originally, Indiana was served by two area codes: 317 and 812. The former was reserved for the Northern two-thirds of the state. The Southern third of the state was and remains covered by the 812 area code.
As the population in Indiana grew, available phone numbers began to run out. When this happens, the NANPA or North American Numbering Plan Administrator looks to add area codes.
The Northern section of the state ran out of available numbers first. It is more densely populated than Southern Indiana, so new boundaries were created in the top two-thirds so new area codes could be designated.
The 812 area code continued to cover its original boundary for almost six decades, and then, finally, the numbers began to run out. Rather than dividing the 812 into additional area codes, an overlay was added to the NANP.
What’s an Overlay Area Code?
If you grew up with one area code attached to your parents’ landline and cell phone numbers, only to receive a completely different area code when you were old enough for your own phone despite living in the same household, that’s an overlay.
Often, when new area codes are introduced, the geographical boundaries that the area codes apply to going forward get redrawn. But sometimes, the NANPA introduces an overlay instead. An area codeoverlay is when a new area code is introduced to cover a pre-existing area.
This way, everyone with the original area code keeps their number.
But, when service providers assign new phone numbers to individuals or businesses in the region, they receive the new area code. Both area codes cover the same area — the only difference is when they’re applied.
What Are the Other Indiana Area Codes?
Indiana currently has eight area codes in use. Most of these area codes are divided among the northern half of the state — as we’ve touched on, it’s the most populous area. The Southern third of Indiana is still covered only by the 812 area code and that overlay we just mentioned. The overlay is area code 930.
The other Indiana area codes are 219, 574, 260, 765, 317, and 463.
Will Indiana Introduce More Area Codes?
There’s no way to say for certain when Indiana will need more area codes. In general, it seems like the current coverage will hold out for years to come.
But naturally, if the population in Indiana continues to grow — particularly in the Southernmost part of the state, which has fewer area codes — the NANPA will have to look into adding another overlay or breaking the region up into smaller sections.
If you’re worried about losing your 812 area code, don’t be! While things may continue to evolve, you won’t be forced to change or drop your number when area codes are added. And we’ll talk more later about how you can claim an 812 number for yourself, whether you want one now or later.
What Area Does 812 Cover?
Despite only covering the bottom third of the state, the 812 area code spans two time zones — the Central Time Zone and Eastern Time Zone. Some counties within the 812 are only partly within the region, which means they’re split between area codes.
These counties fall partly within and partly outside of the 812 boundary.
- Brown
- Clay
- Decatur
- Franklin
- Henderson (Kentucky)
- Johnson
- Monroe
- Owen
- Rush
- Shelby
- Vigo
Other counties are entirely within the 812 region. These counties include:
- Bartholomew
- Clark
- Crawford
- Daviess
- Dearborn
- Dubois
- Floyd
- Gibson
- Greene
- Harrison
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Jennings
- Knox
- Lawrence
- Martin
- Ohio
- Orange
- Perry
- Pike
- Posey
- Ripley
- Scott
- Spencer
- Sullivan
- Switzerland
- Vanderburgh
- Warrick
- Washington
Now, there are obviously dozens of cities and towns within these counties, but we don’t have all day, okay? And you don’t want to break your thumb scrolling down the list. So, for simplicity’s sake, we’ll highlight the major cities or metropolitan areas that use the 812 area code below. If your city or town doesn’t make the cut, it’s not personal! Don’t come for us, Smithville.
- Evansville
- Bloomington
- Terre Haute
- Jeffersonville
- Columbus
- Princeton
- Louisville
- Cincinnati
- New Albany
- Clarksville
- Seymour
- Vincennes
- Jasper
- Bedford
- Bloomington
Wait…Louisville and Cincinnati?
If you spotted two of those things that aren’t like the others, congrats on your retention of some strangely specific quirks of geography in America. Louisville and Cincinnati are not, in fact, in Indiana. Louisville is a major metro area in Kentucky, and Cincinnati is in Ohio.
But because these cities are large — and growing — the overall metropolitan area that’s considered part of these cities has continued to expand. This means there are some portions of the Louisville and Cincinnati metro areas that sit across the border in Indiana … and these portions use the 812 area code.
Similarly, there’s a bit of Kentucky around Evansville that’s folded into the same NPA or numbering plan area.
So, if you’ve just traded numbers with someone on Tinder and they told you they were born and raised in Kentucky, and then you get a text message from an 812 number, you might not be getting scammed! They might just be some Evansville.
That said, you might be getting scammed — but ask some key questions before accusing the possible love of your life of catfishing. It may just be a quirk of the numbering system.
Who Should Choose an 812 Area Code?
In part, this question has an obvious answer. If you live in the region covered by the 812 area code, that’s the area code you should have! But it’s also a bit of a trick question. Because generally, you don’t get to choose your area code at all. It’s assigned to you by default.
Let’s assume, however, that you can choose your area code — because you can, and we’ll get into that soon. Even if you don’t live in the region, having its area code is useful if you make many calls to Southern Indiana, spend a lot of time in the region, or have a personal connection to the area.
Having a local presence can even impact things like pricing for local calls if you’re contacting people who still use landlines. And by people who use landlines, we mean your grandparents.
It can also be worth snagging a local phone number, even for sentimental reasons. Maybe you’re from the area but have since moved away and want to feel a deeper connection to your roots. A local area code is one simple way to do so.
But there’s another practical reason to get an 812 area code phone number, and it’s maybe the most common and most important. If you’re reaching out to people specifically in the state of Indiana, an 812 telephone area code can have a huge impact on caller trust.
How Area Codes Impact Caller Trust
Area codes can actually play a big role in building trust between you and whomever you’re contacting. With spam calls, telemarketers, and straight-up scams becoming more and more common, the bar to get people to answer their phones gets higher and higher.
If the area code is familiar, it signals that it’s someone they can trust — more likely, it’s someone they know. When it comes to businesses, using a local area code vs. a toll-free number can have a massive impact on success rates. The more information recipients can get from your call before they answer, the better.
After all, we’re all wired to trust what’s familiar. Phone numbers aren’t any different. Using a local area code can help to build a subtle but impactful connection with anyone you’re calling before they even pick up.
For these reasons, if it’s not your primary number, a custom phone number with the right area code ensures that everyone from Bedford to Greensburg picks up your call.
How Do You Get an 812 Area Code?
Generally, the best way to get a local area code is to move there and get a new number. But, with area codes like 812 that have since been overlaid, it’s a little trickier.
Even if you relocated your entire life to Bloomington solely to get this area code, you’d be out of luck. You’d get the more recent, overlaid area code. And even if you could do that, it’s a bit of a hassle if you need the local number for a reason other than total relocation.
Maybe you’re going to be spending extended time in the state for work or for personal reasons. Maybe you’re from the 812 but changed your number when you got a new cell phone once and lost your original area code. Maybe you’re insufferably into vintage shopping, and area codes are your next target.
Whatever the case, there are easier ways to get the number you want than setting up a landline. With your own digital Burner phone, you can choose the right area code and use it to call and text without needing a second device or additional phone plan. And without getting rid of your primary number.
What Else Can Burner Do for You?
Burner is a whole new way to organize your calls and texts. You can choose multiple phone numbers and manage all of these lines through our app. Not only does this open your world up literally and metaphorically when it comes to things like choosing your area code, but you’ll have a whole new way to protect your privacy.
Think of it like organizing your email inbox. You probably don’t use your work email address when a random website forces you to sign up for the impossible to unsubscribe from marketing programs, right?
Likewise, you most likely don’t give your work email address to your mom. If you do give your work email address to your mom, you should rethink that.
In the same way, multiple phone lines with Burner allow you to keep your personal number personal. You can set boundaries and protect your time by silencing calls and SMS messages on specific lines during specific times. You can delete or switch your virtual phone number at any time. It’s your phone, your way — in every area code.
The 411 on the 812
From dodging scam calls to constantly messing with your call forwarding from work to home and back again, there are a million reasons for someone to miss your call.
Especially when you’re trying to connect with someone about something important or time-sensitive, you need every possible advantage on your side. The more complicated the world of digital communication gets, the more impactful small details become.
The right area code is a little thing that can have a large impact. Try Burner now and get the perfect phone number for every purpose.
Sources:
10-Digit Dialing Starts Feb 7 in Indiana | IndyStar
Location, Time Zone, and Map of the 812 Area Code | 24 Time Zones
Area Code Relief FAQs | Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
