Area code
509
509 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Washington, which has 6 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 509
Paste a full number and the tool checks it against the numbering plan. It returns the standard formats, the line type the plan assigns and the area code region.
Digits with or without punctuation work. Numbers outside the US are read with the +country code.
Area code 509 at a glance
NANPA lists 760 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 509, held by 61 holders across 119 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1957-01-01 |
| Time zone | Pacific (P) |
| Prefixes in use | 760 |
| Pooled prefixes | 565 (74%) |
| Rate centers | 119 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 61 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-26 to 2026-05-11 (231 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 141 |
Rate centers in area code 509
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| SPOKANE | 214 | 28% |
| YAKIMA | 59 | 8% |
| KENNEWICK | 42 | 6% |
| WENATCHEE | 38 | 5% |
| PASCO | 26 | 3% |
| WALLAWALLA | 23 | 3% |
| ELLENSBURG | 21 | 3% |
| MOSES LAKE | 19 | 3% |
| 111 other rate centers | 318 | 42% |
Who holds the prefixes in 509
Qwest holds the most prefixes, 130 (17%). 74% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Qwest | 130 | 17% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 76 | 10% |
| Ziply Fiber | 73 | 10% |
| Centurylink | 69 | 9% |
| Onvoy | 66 | 9% |
| T-Mobile USA | 63 | 8% |
| 55 other carriers | 283 | 37% |
A prefix holder is the company a code was assigned to, not necessarily a number's current carrier, because numbers can be ported to another company. Find which carrier a number is on, or browse the prefix holders.
History of area code 509
- 1957-01-01 Area code 509 went into service.
Area codes nearest to 509
Distance is measured between the centers of the ZIP code places each area code serves, so it is a rough guide.
ZIP codes in area code 509
141 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Spokane, WA | 28 |
| Yakima, WA | 7 |
| Kennewick, WA | 3 |
A ZIP code and an area code are unrelated systems. A ZIP code can sit in more than one area code, and an area code spans many ZIP codes.
Complaints on file for 509 numbers
4,521 FCC complaints are on file for 3,344 numbers in 509, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 148 |
| 2024 | 159 |
| 2025 | 117 |
Other area codes in Washington
Washington is one state with 6 area codes in the NANPA table. 509 is one of them.
Next to 509 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 509 when all are sorted by number. They are neighbours on the list, not necessarily on the map.
What the area code does and does not tell you
A number that starts with 509 was first assigned in Washington. That is a fact about where the number began, and it is a useful hint when you check a form entry, for example a billing address in Washington next to a 509 phone number.
It does not show where the person is today. A number stays with its owner after a move or a change of provider (number portability), and mobile numbers travel with the handset. The area code also cannot tell you whether the line is active, who the carrier is, or whether the number is mobile or fixed: the plan shares those ranges. Read more about the area code, the numbering plan and line type.
Check numbers in bulk with the API
| Product | Credits | Docs |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Numbering-Plan Validation | 1 credit per valid number | API docs |
| Phone Intelligence (carrier and line status) | 1 credit per check (invalid numbers outside the US and Canada are free) | Product page |
Questions about area code 509
Where is area code 509?
NANPA assigns area code 509 to Washington, United States.
In which state does area code 509 sit?
Washington. 509 is one of 6 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 509 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 509 are Spokane, WA, Yakima, WA and Kennewick, WA. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 509?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 509, Qwest holds the most prefixes, 130 prefixes or 17%.
Which time zone does 509 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 509 as Pacific (P).
What year did 509 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1957-01-01, so 509 has been in use since 1957.
Does area code 509 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 509.
Which area codes are nearest to 509?
The area codes closest to 509, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 425 (about 165 miles), 206 (about 172 miles), 253 (about 173 miles), 564 (about 191 miles) and 360 (about 192 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 509 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 760 prefixes in service in 509, spread over 119 rate centers and 61 holders.
Are there complaints about 509 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 4,521 complaints for 3,344 numbers in 509. They are unverified consumer reports. A number with no complaints on file is not proven safe.
Area code assignments: North American Numbering Plan Administrator NPA report, file dated 10/17/2026, retrieved 2026-10-17. Source file. New codes are assigned several times a year. Prefixes, rate centers, holders, time zone, in-service date and overlays: NANPA central office code report dated 2026-10-17 and NPA report dated 2026-10-18. Complaints: FCC consumer complaints open data, fetched 2026-10-17. ZIP code places: Postal code places and coordinates: GeoNames (geonames.org), licensed CC BY 4.0.