Area code 309 covers Peoria and surrounding areas in Illinois. It was activated in 1957 as an overlay of area code 815. Today it shares its territory with overlay code 861. For the full picture, see all Illinois area codes.
| State | Illinois |
|---|---|
| Primary city | Peoria |
| Cities also served | Peoria, Bloomington, Normal, Moline, Rock Island, Galesburg, Pekin, Macomb |
| Time zone | Central (UTC-6 / UTC-5 DST) |
| Year established | January 1, 1957 |
| Original 1947 NPA? | No |
| Parent code | 815 |
| Overlay codes | 861 |
| Currently in use? | Yes, actively assigned |
| Ten-digit dialing required? | Yes |
Cities Served by Area Code 309
Area code 309 serves West-central Illinois, including the Peoria metro, Bloomington-Normal, and the Quad Cities corridor, including the following cities and communities:
- Peoria
- Bloomington
- Normal
- Moline
- Rock Island
- Galesburg
- Pekin
- Macomb
Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 217, 447, 815, 779, 618, 730.
How to Get a 309 Phone Number
There are three ways to get a phone number with the 309 area code, each suited to a different need:
Ready to Get a 309 Number?
One-time fee. No monthly charges. Port to any carrier in 3–5 business days. NYC's most trusted source since 2009.
Browse 309 Numbers →- Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 309 number directly, often with a one-time fee and ownership transferred to you (no recurring carrier fees). This is the option for picking a specific memorable number, or for getting an area code that most carriers won’t let you request. Browse our 309 inventory.
- Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 309 number on request, especially for active overlay codes. You won’t usually get to pick the specific number, but you’ll get a working line in the area code. This is the cheapest option for anyone who doesn’t need a particular number.
- Port an existing 309 number. If you already have a 309 phone number with another carrier, you can transfer it (port it) to a new service provider while keeping the number. This works for landlines, cell phones, and VoIP services, though landlines outside of Illinois sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 309 numbers due to 911 routing rules.
Looking for a 309 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 309 numbers for Peoria, Illinois — choose your number, port it to any carrier in 3–5 business days, and pay a one-time fee with no monthly charges. Browse available 309 numbers →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 309 area code still in use?
Yes. 309 is actively assigned to new phone lines in West-central Illinois, including the Peoria metro, Bloomington-Normal, and the Quad Cities corridor.
What is the difference between 309 and 861?
Today they share the same geographic territory in Illinois. New phone lines in the area may be assigned either code. The two codes work identically for calling, billing, and service.
What is the parent area code of 309?
Area code 309 is an overlay of 815. Both codes serve the same region of Illinois.
Can I get a 309 number if I don't live in Illinois?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 309 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.
Is 309 a scam area code?
No. 309 is a legitimate, active area code for West-central Illinois, including the Peoria metro, Bloomington-Normal, and the Quad Cities corridor. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 309 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Illinois businesses, government offices, and residents.
What cities are covered by area code 309?
Area code 309 covers west-central Illinois, including Peoria, Bloomington, Normal, Moline, Rock Island, Galesburg, Pekin, Macomb, and many surrounding communities across roughly 20 counties.
What is the overlay for area code 309?
Area code 861 was added as an all-services overlay to 309 on February 24, 2023, to address number exhaustion. All calls in the 309/861 area require ten-digit dialing.
When did area code 309 switch to ten-digit dialing?
Ten-digit dialing became mandatory in the 309 area on October 24, 2021, ahead of the 861 overlay — driven by a conflict with the newly designated 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline code.
What area code did 309 split from?
Area code 309 was created in 1957 when area code 815 was divided, with 309 assigned to the western portion of that territory covering west-central Illinois.
