Detroit could run out of 313 phone numbers, new 679 area code proposed

679 may soon be a way to represent Detroit on a shirt if the State of Michigan is able to assign the new area code once 313 phone numbers run out, which is projected to happen in 2025.

The number of unassigned numbers that can use the 313 area code is expected to be depleted in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Michigan Public Service Commission. The group is hosting a public hearing on March 9 from 1:30-3 p.m. at Wayne County Community College District’s downtown campus.

“The 313 area code is projected to be exhausted during the third quarter of 2025, which means most phone numbers within the area code are in use, with few to no new numbers available to assign, aside from those returned to the numbering inventory and reassigned through standard industry practice,” MPSC said in a press release.

“That will require applying a new area code that will cover the same geographic territory of the 313 area code, without splitting the current area code boundaries or requiring a change of numbers for existing phone users by moving existing 313 phones to a new area code. Rather, current 313 numbers will remain in place while new phone customers in the same territory may be assigned numbers with the 679 area code.”

The 313 area code includes Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Allen Park, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Ecorse, the Grosse Pointes, Inkster, Lincoln Park, Redford Township, River Rouge and Taylor. 313 also covered most of Southeast Michigan before 810 was created in 1993 — with 248, 734 and 586 following in subsequent years.