P.B. County’s Telephone Codes Changed As Population Grew

Q: How many area codes has Palm Beach County had?
A: With the proliferation of fax machines, computer lines and cellular telephones, area codes are changing almost faster than rappers’ names. Palm Beach County’s first area code was in place for 41 years; its second one nine years; and its third one shared with the Treasure Coast for only five years. Florida now has 17 area codes and an 18th, for the Orlando area, is under consideration.
When three-digit area codes were established in 1947, Florida had one: 305. It split off 813 for the Gulf area in 1953 and 904 for North Florida in 1965. That lasted until 1988, when 407 was established from Boca Raton to Orlando.
Then, in 1996, Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast split off as 561. In August 2000, the state proposed an “overlay” area code that would share the region with 561 and would require everyone to dial 10 digits, even for local calls. Instead, this year, the Treasure Coast got its own area code, 772. It becomes mandatory by the end of 2002.
Palm Beach County’s comfort will be short-lived. Authorities have said that even with the Treasure Coast split off, area code 561 will run out of numbers in fewer than six years.