Key Facts About Area Code 562
- Introduction: 562 Area code was established on January 25, 1997, after splitting from area code 310. It covers southeastern Los Angeles County, including Long Beach, and parts of northern Orange County.
- Historical Background:
- Pre-1991: The region was part of area code 213.
- 1991 Change: Western and southern parts of 213 became area code 310.
- 1997 Split: Area code 562 was created from the southern portion of 310.
- Cellular Technology Impact:
- Area code 562 was initially intended as an overlay for cell phones and pagers within the 310 area code. However, this plan was abandoned due to industry opposition and legal battles, resulting in a full split instead.
- Ten-Digit Dialing Transition:
- In response to the designation of 988 as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, area code 562 transitioned to ten-digit dialing by October 24, 2021.
- County Anomaly:
- Although primarily in Los Angeles County, area code 562 also covers certain parts of Orange County, including Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, and small sections of La Habra and Brea, due to historical telephone company boundaries.
More Area Code: Area Code 727