There are nearly 300 area codes in the United States. Vermont has just one—or less than one-half of one percent of the total. New York City, in contrast, has six area codes, with more being introduced all the time as digital communications gear proliferates endlessly. Long Island, a NYC suburb has another two areas, as does Westchester.
Having a single area code is not as rare as might be expected. According to areacodehelp.com, 12 states have a single area code—Vermont, along with Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Wyoming.
California, in contrast, has 32 area codes, the most in the nation.
An article by Ken Pilchard, entitled “How 802 Went Viral and Became Vermont Shorthand for Cool,” Seven Days, July 31, 2013 details how Vermont’s 802 area code turned into a symbol of the state’s unique attributes, coveted by both locals and tourists alike.
The 802 area code became so popular that two local fellows—CS and Run Rhyme—wrote and recorded a rap UTube video entitled “802.” Its lyrics include: “Up here in Vermont this is how we do it. We got one area code and its 802.” It continues: “Green Mountain State where we roll on skis, don’t mess with our cows or we’ll break your knees.”