Area code 520

North American area code 520 is a state of Arizona telephone area code serving Tucson and most of the southeastern part of the state.

Clickable map of Arizona area codes in blue (and border states) with Area Code 520 shown in red

It was created in a split from area code 602 on March 19, 1995. Previously, 602 had been the sole area code for the entire state of Arizona since the introduction of area codes in 1947. With Arizona's rapid expansion during the second half of the 20th century, it was taken for granted that the state would require a second area code. However, the split was hastened by the proliferation of cell phones and pagers.

History

Originally, 520 encompassed the entire state outside the Phoenix metropolitan area, as well as a few outer portions of western and southern Maricopa County. It completely surrounded 602, which was retained by most of the Phoenix area.

Within two years of its creation, however, 520 was already close to exhaustion due to the rapid growth of the Tucson area (and to a lesser extent Yuma and Flagstaff) as well as the proliferation of cell phones and pagers. In 2001, the northern and western portions of the old 520 split off as area code 928. All of Pima, Santa Cruz and Cochise counties, most of Pinal County and part of far southern Maricopa County kept 520, while Yuma and La Paz counties, far western Maricopa County and all of northern Arizona were switched to 928.

Counties served by this area code

Communities served by this area code

References
    Arizona area codes: 480, 520, 602, 623, 928
    North: 480, 602, 928
    West: 623, 928 area code 520 East: 575
    South: Country code +52 in Mexico
    New Mexico area codes: 505, 575

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