Area code 502 vs 761
502 and 761 are overlay codes: they cover the same ground in Kentucky, and a number in one is a local call to the other. Today 502 has 735 of 786 blocks assigned (93.5%) and 761 has 0 of 786 (0.0%), so a new number in the area now almost always comes from 761. 502 appears in the complaint data with 1,703 complaints in the window; 761 does not appear at all, which is what you would expect of a code that is not yet in service. Neither code is better or safer than the other. They are the same geography, the same carriers and the same dialing rules; the difference is only how long each has existed and how full it is.
Side by side
| 502 | 761 | |
|---|---|---|
| In service since | 1947 | planned, no date |
| Region | Kentucky | Kentucky |
| Blocks assigned | 735 of 786 (93.5%) | 0 of 786 (0%) |
| Largest block holder | AT&T 42.3% | – |
| Complaints, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 | 1,703 (#4) | not in the data |
| Rate centers | 36 | – |
Block share is allocation by the numbering administrator, not subscribers. Complaint counts cover 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 and measure how often each code is spoofed on caller ID.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between area codes 502 and 761?
None geographically – they overlay the same area, so the difference is age and how many numbers are left.
Do I need to dial the area code between 502 and 761?
Yes. Overlay areas use ten-digit dialing for local calls, including between the two codes. Seven digits reaches a recording.
Will a new number be 502 or 761?
Whichever has blocks left – currently 761, at 0% allocated against 93.5% for the other. Carriers draw from the code with free blocks, which is why the newer code spreads over time.
Is 502 or 761 more likely to be a spam call?
The data does not support a comparison: only one of the two appears in the complaint window.
Sources
- NANPA – NPA Database (npa_report.csv), file date 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- NANPA – CO Code Assignment Records, All States (utilized), file updated 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- FTC – Do Not Call Reported Calls Data, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Each code on its own: 502 · 761. All codes in Kentucky: Kentucky area codes.