We don’t always think a lot about our area codes. The first three digits of our phone numbers typically only exist to serve as an indicator cellular origin. But what can be said about those three little numbers? What we think? What we perceive? What we do?
To look into the odd topic a little further, Her Campus took to the streets to ask 100 Ball State students and members of the Muncie community what deeper meanings Indiana’s seven area codes might have.
(Editor’s note: Quoted segments are comments gathered from people who were surveyed. Quotes do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Her Campus Ball State)
1. 219
Location: Northwest Indiana, Eastern Chicago
Nickname: “The Region”
Percentage of people surveyed who were familiar with the area code: 62 percent
Percentage of people surveyed who accurately knew the location of the area code: 44 percent
Common thoughts and stereotypes: “People hang out at Lake Michigan, it’s run-down, where Gary is, close to Chicago, lots of diversity.”
2. 260
Location: Northeast Indiana, Central Indiana
Nickname: “The Wayne”
Percentage of people surveyed who were familiar with the area code: 58 percent
Percentage of people surveyed who accurately knew the location of the area code: 47 percent
Common thoughts and stereotypes: “Fort Wayne, soccer, boring, Amish people, lesser-known people, interesting, pretty, hot dogs, driving, cars, close to Michigan and Ohio, farmland.”
3. 317
Location: Indianapolis (the new 463 area code will be added in October 2016)
Nickname: “Crossroads of America”
Percentage of people surveyed who were familiar with the area code: 90 percent
Percentage of people surveyed who accurately knew the location of the area code: 81 percent
Common thoughts and stereotypes: “Indianapolis, Colts fans, city people, busy, normal, everyone knows someone with a 317 area code, people like to drink, good students, the ghetto, dangerous, fun, lots to do, progressive.”
4. 574
Location: Northern Indiana
Nickname: “Amish Country”
Percentage of people surveyed who were familiar with the area code: 77 percent
Percentage of people surveyed who accurately knew the location of the area code: 80 percent
Common thoughts and stereotypes: “Amish people, good food, religion, Notre Dame, catholics, rich, people have a lot of money, country, farms, friendly people, stuck-up people.”
5. 765
Location: Central Indiana
Nickname: “Indiana’s Heartland”
Percentage of people surveyed who were familiar with the area code: 97 percent
Percentage of people surveyed who accurately knew the location of the area code: 98 percent
Common thoughts and stereotypes: “Ball State, Muncie, low-income, friendly, well-known, working class, accessible, people answer their phones, comfortable.”
6. 812
Location: Southern Indiana
Nickname: “Hoosier Hills”
Percentage of people surveyed who were familiar with the area code: 91 percent
Percentage of people surveyed who accurately knew the location of the area code: 89 percent
Common thoughts and stereotypes: “Southern hospitality, rednecks, basketball, Indiana University, nice, good food, people live near lakes, hiking, Brown County State Park, small towns, no Walmart.”
7. 930
Location: Southern Indiana
Nickname: “Hoosier Hills”
Percentage of people surveyed who were familiar with the area code: 52 percent
Percentage of people surveyed who accurately knew the location of the area code: 55 percent
Common thoughts and stereotypes: “Southern hospitality, rednecks, basketball, Indiana University, nice, good food, people live near lakes, hiking, Brown County State Park, small towns, no Walmart.”