Quick answer
Area code 606 serves eastern Kentucky. Cities in it include Ashland, Pikeville, Hazard, Somerset, London and Corbin. This guide covers where 606 is, how it came to be, how to dial it and what to know before using a 606 number for a business.
- Area code 606 serves eastern Kentucky, including much of the Eastern Kentucky Coalfield.
- It was created in 1954 in a split of the 502 numbering plan area.
- In 1999 Lexington and Northern Kentucky split off as area code 859, so 606 no longer includes them.
- A 2021 NANPA report projected that 606 would not run out of numbers until about 2034, and there is no overlay.
Where is area code 606?
Area code 606 serves the eastern part of Kentucky, along the whole length of the state's borders with Virginia and West Virginia. Its cities and towns include Ashland, Pikeville, Hazard, Paintsville, Morehead, Middlesboro, Somerset, London, Corbin, Stanford, Greenup and Maysville. Most of the area lies in the Eastern Kentucky Coalfield.
Lexington and Northern Kentucky are not in 606, even though they were when the code started. Those areas moved to area code 859 in 1999, which left 606 as a rural and small-city code rather than a metro one.
| City | Where it is |
|---|---|
| Ashland | Boyd County, on the Ohio River |
| Pikeville | Pike County, eastern Kentucky |
| Hazard | Perry County, in the Coalfield |
| Somerset | South-central Kentucky |
| London | South-eastern Kentucky |
| Morehead | North-eastern Kentucky |
606 area code history
The code has a short, well-documented history. These are the dates that matter:
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1954 | Area code 606 is created in a split of the 502 numbering plan area, initially covering the eastern half of Kentucky, including Lexington and Northern Kentucky. |
| 1999 | Most of the north-western portion, including Lexington and Northern Kentucky, splits off as area code 859. |
| 2021 | A NANPA report projects that 606 will not run out of numbers until about 2034. |
How to dial
Area code 606 has no overlay, so the dialing rules are simple. Calls from outside the area use 1 + 606 + the seven-digit number. For local calls, dialing all ten digits works everywhere and is the safe habit, because most phones and contact lists store numbers with the area code.
If you call across Kentucky, remember that Lexington and Northern Kentucky are in 859, not 606. Store the area code with every number so your phone system does not guess.
Will the area code change?
A 2021 NANPA report projected that 606 would not run out of numbers until about 2034, and no split or overlay has been announced. Number pooling and the slow growth of the region keep demand low.
Time zone and business hours
Eastern Kentucky observes Eastern Time, the same as New York and one hour ahead of Chicago. A call to a 606 number at 9 AM Eastern reaches offices as they open.
Using a 606 number for business
In a region of small cities and rural towns, a 606 number is a strong signal of local presence for health clinics, contractors, schools and service businesses. Customers in Pikeville, Ashland or Somerset tend to answer a local area code before an unfamiliar one.
With Ringflow you can answer a 606 number on any phone, forward calls to a team and send missed calls to voicemail-to-email. Porting an existing 606 number is free, and there is a 14-day free trial. Number availability varies by area code, so confirm at signup.
If you also work in nearby areas, see our guides to area code 423 and area code 304, or read how a virtual phone number works and how to add a second business number.
Spam and scam calls
Unsolicited callers who claim to be a bank, utility or government agency should be checked through the organisation's own website, not through a number they give you. Do not share one-time codes or financial details by phone. Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
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FAQ
Area code 606 serves eastern Kentucky, including Ashland, Pikeville, Hazard, Somerset, London and Corbin.
No. Lexington and Northern Kentucky split off as area code 859 in 1999.
In 1954, in a split of the 502 numbering plan area.
No overlay has been announced, and it was not projected to run out of numbers until about 2034.
Eastern Time.
