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872 Area CodeChicago, IL

Area code 872 covers Chicago and nearby communities in Illinois, in the Central Time (CT) zone, home to about 2,715,043 people. It was added in 2009 as an overlay of 312, so the same region uses several codes and every local call needs all ten digits.

Overview

Major City
Chicago
State
Illinois (IL)
Timezone
Central Time (CT)
Current Time
–:––
Overlay
Yes – shares area with 312, 773

Nearby Area Codes

Where is area code 872?

Area code 872 serves part of Chicago, IL and the surrounding areas. It has overlays (312, 773) that serve the same area.

Overview of the 872 Area Code

What is the 872 area code?

The 872 area code serves Chicago, Illinois, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 872 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.

Why was area code 872 created?

Area code 872 went into service on November 7, 2009, as an overlay of 312. An overlay adds a second code to the same territory instead of splitting it: existing 312 numbers kept their digits, new lines began receiving 872 numbers, and local calls in the region require all ten digits. The same territory also carries 773.

Geographic Coverage of the 872 Area Code

The 872 area code serves Chicago and surrounding areas in Illinois. It operates within the Central Time (CT) time zone. It complements the coverage of area codes 312 and 773. This area code covers several key cities, including:

  • Chicago

Got a call from an 872 number? It came from Chicago, IL. Since 872 overlays with 312 and 773, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line.

Chicago Area Codes Overview

Chicago is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 872 area code operates alongside 312, 773. Here are the area codes serving this region:

312773872

The introduction of the 872 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.

What cities does area code 872 cover?

CityStatePopulationPopulation in 872% of listed-city population% of City
ChicagoIL2,721,3082,664,351100.0%97.9%

City population is shown in full. The share of each city inside 872 is measured from Census tract centroids, not estimated from a rate-center match – so a city split between two codes appears on both, at the fraction each one actually holds. The “% of listed-city population” column uses the full populations of the cities listed here.

What counties does area code 872 cover?

2,715,043 residents across 1 county, counted inside the 872 boundary — a county split between codes contributes only its part.

CountyStatePopulation in 872% of area-code footprint% of County
Cook CountyIL2,715,043100%51%

Sources: City populations – U.S. Census Bureau PEP, Vintage 2024 (SUB-IP-EST2024-POP). State populations – the same program, Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025-ALLDATA). Area-code footprint and county populations – 2020 Census Centers of Population, mapped against NANP area code boundaries. The share of each city inside a code is measured the same way, against Census place boundaries from the Census Bureau's TIGERweb service. Area code assignments – NANPA CO Code data. See our data methodology.

Has area code 872 been reported for unwanted calls?

Yes – 1,076 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 872 area code (May 29 – Aug 14, 2026).

  • 69% robocalls
  • ↑ 2% vs prior period

Most-reported subjects

  • Other38%404
  • Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)37%401
  • Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends8%88

Caller ID is easily spoofed, so these figures reflect the number shown on caller ID, not the caller's true location – an area code alone never identifies a caller. The FTC does not verify the facts in these complaints. Source: FTC Do Not Call (DNC) Reported Calls Data, retrieved 2026-08-17.

Which prefixes and exchanges belong to area code 872?

22% assigned to a telco

  • 63% Landline
  • 37% Wireless
  • 0% Unknown
PrefixUsageCarrier
(872)201-WirelessVerizon Wireless
(872)202-WirelessNew Cingular Wireless Pcs
(872)203-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)204-LandlineOnvoy
(872)205-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)206-LandlineComcast Ip Phone
(872)207-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)208-LandlineCenturylink Communications
(872)209-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)210-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)212-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)213-LandlineOnvoy
(872)214-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)215-WirelessVerizon Wireless
(872)216-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)218-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)219-LandlineOnvoy
(872)220-WirelessSprint Spectrum
(872)221-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)222-WirelessNew Cingular Wireless Pcs
(872)223-WirelessSprint Spectrum
(872)225-LandlineOnvoy
(872)226-WirelessSprint Spectrum
(872)227-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)228-WirelessNew Cingular Wireless Pcs
(872)229-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)230-WirelessSprint Spectrum
(872)231-LandlineOnvoy
(872)232-WirelessSprint Spectrum
(872)233-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)234-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)235-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)236-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)237-WirelessSprint Spectrum
(872)238-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)239-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)240-WirelessVerizon Wireless
(872)241-LandlineTeleport Communications America
(872)242-LandlineMetropcs
(872)243-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)244-LandlineAt&T
(872)245-LandlineVoip Innovations
(872)246-LandlineTeleport Communications America
(872)247-LandlineIllinois Bell Tel Co
(872)248-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)249-LandlineLevel 3 Communications
(872)250-LandlineOnvoy
(872)251-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)252-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)253-LandlineOnvoy
(872)254-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)255-LandlineVonage America
(872)256-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)257-WirelessNew Cingular Wireless Pcs
(872)258-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)259-LandlineLevel 3 Communications
(872)260-WirelessNew Cingular Wireless Pcs
(872)261-WirelessNew Cingular Wireless Pcs
(872)262-LandlineAt&T
(872)263-LandlineLevel 3 Communications
(872)264-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)265-WirelessNew Cingular Wireless Pcs
(872)266-LandlineOnvoy
(872)267-LandlineAt&T
(872)268-LandlineHd Carrier
(872)269-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)270-LandlineWhitesky Communications
(872)271-WirelessNew Cingular Wireless Pcs
(872)272-LandlineStratus Networks
(872)273-LandlineVonage America
(872)274-LandlineIp Horizon
(872)275-LandlineJive Communications
(872)276-WirelessVerizon Wireless
(872)277-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)278-LandlineOnvoy
(872)279-LandlineUcomtel
(872)280-LandlineRadiantiq
(872)281-LandlineAt&T
(872)282-LandlineOnvoy
(872)283-LandlineRadiantiq
(872)284-LandlineHd Carrier
(872)285-LandlineOnvoy
(872)286-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)287-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)288-LandlineSkyetel
(872)289-LandlineWavenation
(872)290-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)291-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)292-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)293-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)294-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)295-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)296-LandlineOnvoy
(872)297-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)298-LandlineTelnyx
(872)299-LandlineMcleodusa Telecommunication Services
(872)301-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)302-LandlineOnvoy
(872)303-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)304-LandlineOnvoy
(872)305-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)306-LandlineOnvoy Spectrum
(872)307-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)308-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)310-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)313-LandlineOnvoy
(872)314-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)315-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)316-WirelessVerizon Wireless
(872)317-LandlineTeleport Communications America
(872)318-LandlineTeleport Communications America
(872)319-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)320-WirelessNew Cingular Wireless Pcs
(872)321-LandlineOnvoy Spectrum
(872)322-LandlineOnvoy Spectrum
(872)323-LandlineTeleport Communications America
(872)324-LandlineCommio
(872)325-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)326-LandlineOnvoy
(872)327-LandlineOnvoy
(872)328-WirelessVerizon Wireless
(872)329-LandlineAt&T
(872)330-LandlineLeap Telecom
(872)332-LandlineFive9
(872)333-WirelessSprint Spectrum
(872)334-LandlineTon80 Communications
(872)336-LandlineFractel
(872)337-LandlineTon80 Communications
(872)342-LandlineFractel
(872)343-LandlineTon80 Communications
(872)345-LandlineFractel
(872)346-LandlineTon80 Communications
(872)348-LandlineOnvoy
(872)355-LandlineTon80 Communications
(872)356-LandlineOnvoy
(872)358-LandlineOnvoy
(872)362-LandlineFractel
(872)365-LandlineCommio
(872)367-LandlineFractel
(872)372-LandlineOnvoy
(872)395-WirelessNew Cingular Wireless Pcs
(872)400-WirelessNew Cingular Wireless Pcs
(872)401-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)444-LandlineAt&T
(872)453-LandlineTon80 Communications
(872)463-LandlineTon80 Communications
(872)465-LandlineOnvoy
(872)469-LandlineOnvoy
(872)484-WirelessSprint Spectrum
(872)529-LandlinePeerless Network Of Illinois
(872)568-LandlineTon80 Communications
(872)588-WirelessNew Cingular Wireless Pcs
(872)600-WirelessSprint Spectrum
(872)627-LandlineTon80 Communications
(872)639-LandlineOnvoy
(872)664-LandlineTon80 Communications
(872)666-LandlinePeerless Network Of Illinois
(872)674-LandlineTon80 Communications
(872)678-LandlineTon80 Communications
(872)701-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)702-WirelessSprint Spectrum
(872)703-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)704-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)706-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)707-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)710-LandlineOnvoy Spectrum
(872)713-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)724-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)731-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)732-LandlineFractel
(872)757-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)758-LandlineFractel
(872)760-LandlinePeerless Network Of Illinois
(872)762-LandlinePeerless Network Of Illinois
(872)763-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)766-LandlineFractel
(872)769-WirelessVerizon Wireless
(872)772-WirelessVerizon Wireless
(872)777-LandlinePeerless Network Of Illinois
(872)800-WirelessSprint Spectrum
(872)801-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)802-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)803-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)804-LandlinePeerless Network Of Illinois
(872)806-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)808-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)810-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)813-LandlineBandwidth.Com Clec
(872)814-WirelessNew Cingular Wireless Pcs
(872)817-WirelessVerizon Wireless
(872)818-LandlineAt&T
(872)822-LandlineMetropcs
(872)825-LandlineIllinois Bell Tel Co
(872)829-LandlineOnvoy
(872)835-LandlineTon80 Communications
(872)838-LandlineOnvoy
(872)842-LandlineFractel
(872)843-LandlineIllinois Bell Tel Co
(872)844-LandlineMetropcs
(872)855-LandlineMetropcs
(872)867-LandlineCommio
(872)870-LandlineOnvoy
(872)871-LandlineMetropcs
(872)873-LandlineOnvoy
(872)877-LandlineOnvoy Spectrum
(872)888-LandlineXo Illinois
(872)895-LandlineTwilio International
(872)899-LandlineFractel
(872)901-LandlineMetropcs
(872)903-LandlineLevel 3 Telecom Of Illinois
(872)904-WirelessT-Mobile Usa
(872)910-LandlineRadiantiq
(872)946-LandlineFractel
(872)985-LandlineLevel 3 Telecom Of Illinois
(872)999-LandlineOnvoy

Frequently Asked Questions about the 872 Area Code

Who called me from a 872 number?

A 872 number is assigned to Chicago, Illinois, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 872 code to look nearby, so a 872 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 1,076 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 872 code (69% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.

Is 872 a scam area code?

No area code is a scam on its own. 872 is a normal, officially assigned code for Chicago, Illinois. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 872 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 1,076 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 872 code (69% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.

Why do I keep getting calls from the 872 area code?

Repeated calls from different 872 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 872 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 1,076 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 872 code (69% flagged as robocalls). Blocking one number rarely helps; voicemail screening, your carrier spam filter, and the Do Not Call Registry work better.

Should I answer an unknown 872 number?

If you aren't expecting a 872 call, let it ring to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, most robocallers hang up when no one picks up, and answering can mark your number as active and bring more calls.

How do I block calls from the 872 area code?

Block a single 872 number from your recent-calls list (iPhone: tap the number, then Block this Caller; Android: tap the number, then Block or report spam). To cut the volume, turn on Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone or spam protection on Android, enable spam filtering from your carrier, and register at DoNotCall.gov. Blocking the entire 872 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.

Where is area code 872?

Area code 872 covers Chicago and the surrounding area in Illinois, spanning 1 city with about 2,715,043 residents. It shares its area with overlay codes 312, 773.

When did area code 872 go into service?

Area code 872 went into service on November 7, 2009. It was added as an overlay of 312, so 872 numbers serve the same area that 312 already covered.

Is 872 a real area code?

Yes. 872 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Chicago, Illinois. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 872 calls with normal caution.

What timezone is the 872 area code in?

The 872 area code is in the Central Time (CT). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 872 caller may not be in that zone.

How do I call a 872 number from abroad?

From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 872 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 872 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.

Related Area Codes