The 274 area code is an overlay serving northeastern Wisconsin, including Green Bay, the Fox Valley, and the Lake Michigan shoreline. Introduced in 2010, it was layered directly on top of the established 920 area code to supply new phone numbers across the region.
Quick Summary of the 274 Area Code
| Area Code | 274 |
| State | Wisconsin (WI) |
| Region | Northeast Wisconsin (Green Bay, Appleton & the Fox Valley) |
| Major Cities | Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Neenah, De Pere |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Geographic Coverage
The 274 area code shares an identical footprint with 920, covering Green Bay and De Pere, the Fox Valley cities of Appleton, Neenah, and Oshkosh, Fond du Lac at the south end of Lake Winnebago, and the Lake Michigan shore cities of Manitowoc and Sheboygan. Because it is an overlay rather than a separate region, a 274 number and a 920 number can exist on the same street.
Time Zone
The 274 area code observes Central Time (CT). Clocks follow Central Standard Time (UTC−6) in winter and shift to Central Daylight Time (UTC−5) from mid-March through early November. All of Wisconsin is on Central Time. From the West Coast, this region is two hours ahead of Pacific Time, so a 9:00 AM call in California reaches a 274 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 274 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 274 Number
Because area code 274 operates as part of an overlay, 10-digit dialing is mandatory for every local and long-distance call. You must dial the full 10-digit number (274 + the seven-digit line number) even when calling a neighbor across the street. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 274, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 274 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 274 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Neenah, De Pere should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Threatening calls demanding immediate tax payment via gift cards or wire transfer. |
| Utility Shut-off | Impostors claiming to be WPS threatening to cut power unless you pay now. |
| Tech Support Fraud | Pop-ups or calls claiming your computer is infected and asking for remote access. |
| Prize / Lottery Scam | Calls saying you won a prize but must pay a “fee” or “tax” to claim it. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 274 number, take these steps to protect yourself:
- Do not share personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords over the phone.
- Hang up and verify by calling the organization back using an official number from its website.
- Report the call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
- Block the number and consider registering with the National Do Not Call Registry.
Red Flag: Legitimate agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or your local utility company (We Energies, Alliant Energy, or WPS) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 274 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 274 Region
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The 274 area code entered service in 2010 as an overlay for the entire 920 region. Overlays let regulators add a fresh supply of phone numbers to a crowded area without forcing existing customers to change their established numbers, so 274 covers precisely the same cities as 920. The regional economy is built on the paper, printing, and packaging industries of the Fox Valley, the meatpacking and shipping trade of Green Bay – home of the Green Bay Packers – and the manufacturing and aviation sectors around Oshkosh. Because 274 is the newer of the two northeastern codes, it appears most often on recently activated mobile numbers and newly established business lines.
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Looking Up a 274 Number
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To identify a 274 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the complete 10-digit number online. Because 274 is a newer code often used for mobile numbers, some callers may have a smaller public footprint, so never share personal or financial details with an unverified caller.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Wisconsin is served by several area codes. If you are researching 274, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 920 – Northeast WI (overlay partner)
- 414 – Milwaukee County
- 608 – Madison / Southwest WI
- 715 – Northern & Western WI
You can also browse our full directory of Wisconsin area codes for more regional guides.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State – every area code across all 50 states in one directory.
Explore Neighboring States
Researching area codes just across the state line? Start with these codes in the states that border Wisconsin:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 274 area code located?
The 274 area code serves northeastern Wisconsin as an overlay of 920, covering Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, and Manitowoc.
Why does 274 cover the same area as 920?
274 is an overlay added in 2010 because the 920 region ran short of available phone numbers. Both codes serve the exact same geographic area.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 274?
Yes. Overlay area codes like 274 always require 10-digit dialing for local calls.
What time zone is the 274 area code in?
The 274 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like all of Wisconsin.
Related 274 Guides
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.