Area code
859
859 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Kentucky, which has 5 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 859
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.
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Area code 859 at a glance
NANPA lists 561 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 859, held by 38 holders across 42 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 2000-04-01 |
| Time zone | Eastern (E) |
| Prefixes in use | 561 |
| Pooled prefixes | 383 (68%) |
| Rate centers | 42 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 38 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-07 to 2026-05-06 (221 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 74 |
Rate centers in area code 859
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| LEXINGTON | 164 | 29% |
| COVINGTON | 95 | 17% |
| BOONE | 32 | 6% |
| WINCHESTER | 28 | 5% |
| RICHMOND | 24 | 4% |
| DANVILLE | 16 | 3% |
| MTSTERLING | 13 | 2% |
| BEREA | 11 | 2% |
| 34 other rate centers | 178 | 32% |
Who holds the prefixes in 859
Windstream Kentucky East, INC. - Lexington holds the most prefixes, 77 (14%). 68% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Windstream Kentucky East, INC. - Lexington | 77 | 14% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 66 | 12% |
| Cincinnati Bell | 57 | 10% |
| Verizon Wireless | 54 | 10% |
| Onvoy | 50 | 9% |
| Level 3 Communications | 49 | 9% |
| 32 other carriers | 208 | 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 859
- 1955-01-01 Area code 606, named as the parent of 859 in the NANPA report, was in service.
- 2000-04-01 Area code 859 went into service.
Area codes nearest to 859
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 859
74 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Lexington, KY | 39 |
| Covington, KY | 5 |
| Berea, KY | 2 |
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 859 numbers
3,177 FCC complaints are on file for 2,079 numbers in 859, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 188 |
| 2024 | 84 |
| 2025 | 74 |
Other area codes in Kentucky
Kentucky is one state with 5 area codes in the NANPA table. 859 is one of them.
Next to 859 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 859 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 859 was first assigned in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky next to a 859 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 859
Where is area code 859?
NANPA assigns area code 859 to Kentucky, United States.
In which state does area code 859 sit?
Kentucky. 859 is one of 5 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 859 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 859 are Lexington, KY, Covington, KY and Berea, KY. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 859?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 859, Windstream Kentucky East, INC. - Lexington holds the most prefixes, 77 prefixes or 14%.
Which time zone does 859 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 859 as Eastern (E).
What year did 859 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 2000-04-01, so 859 has been in use since 2000.
Does area code 859 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 859.
Which area codes are nearest to 859?
The area codes closest to 859, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 502 (about 55 miles), 606 (about 65 miles), 283 (about 76 miles), 513 (about 76 miles) and 326 (about 115 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 859 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 561 prefixes in service in 859, spread over 42 rate centers and 38 holders.
Are there complaints about 859 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 3,177 complaints for 2,079 numbers in 859. 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.