The 870 area code serves the eastern, northern, and southern regions of Arkansas – essentially the entire state outside the central and northwest corners. Created in 1997 when it split from 501, 870 covers a large, mostly rural area from Jonesboro in the northeast to Texarkana in the southwest.
Quick Summary of the 870 Area Code
| Area Code | 870 |
| State | Arkansas (AR) |
| Region | Eastern, Northern & Southern Arkansas (Jonesboro, Pine Bluff & Texarkana) |
| Major Cities | Jonesboro, Pine Bluff, Texarkana, West Memphis, El Dorado, Blytheville, Batesville, Mountain Home |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 870 area code covers a broad arc of Arkansas, including Jonesboro and Blytheville in the northeastern Delta, West Memphis across from Memphis, Pine Bluff in the south-central region, El Dorado near the Louisiana border, Texarkana in the far southwest on the Texas line, and Batesville and Mountain Home in the northern Ozarks. It wraps around the central 501 region on three sides.
Time Zone
The 870 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 Arkansas 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 870 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 870 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 870 Number
Area code 870 is not part of an overlay, so it has traditionally allowed 7-digit local dialing. However, 10-digit dialing is now the recommended nationwide standard, and dialing the full 10-digit number (870 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 870, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 870 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 870 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Jonesboro, Pine Bluff, Texarkana, West Memphis, El Dorado, Blytheville, Batesville, Mountain Home should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Callers impersonating the IRS and threatening arrest over supposed unpaid taxes. |
| Utility Shut-off | Fake Entergy Arkansas callers demanding instant payment to keep your power on. |
| Farm / Equipment Scam | Fraudulent online listings for tractors or farm equipment aimed at Delta and rural buyers. |
| Storm Repair Scam | Fake contractors demanding upfront payment for tornado or storm damage repairs. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 870 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 Arkansas Attorney General’s Office.
- 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 (Entergy Arkansas or SWEPCO) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 870 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 870 Region
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Area code 870 was created in 1997, split from 501, to serve the eastern, northern, and southern portions of Arkansas. The regional economy is rooted in agriculture and industry. The Arkansas Delta in the east is one of the nation’s leading rice and cotton producing regions, Jonesboro anchors the northeast as a commercial hub and home to Arkansas State University, and Pine Bluff has a long manufacturing and paper heritage. Texarkana sits on the Texas border with a lumber and rail economy, El Dorado in the south grew up around the oil industry and hosts Murphy Oil, and the northern Ozark communities of Batesville and Mountain Home add manufacturing and lake tourism.
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Looking Up an 870 Number
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To identify an 870 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, universities, and government offices across eastern, northern, and southern Arkansas publish their 870 numbers, so a legitimate caller is often easy to confirm with a quick search. For unknown numbers, let the call go to voicemail – genuine callers usually leave a message, while robocallers and scammers rarely do.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Arkansas is served by three area codes. If you are researching 870, these neighboring codes are worth knowing:
- 501 – Central Arkansas / Little Rock & Hot Springs
- 479 – Northwest Arkansas / Fayetteville & Bentonville
You can also browse our full directory of Arkansas 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 Arkansas:
- Missouri – area code 314
- Tennessee – area code 615
- Mississippi – area code 601
- Louisiana – area code 504
- Texas – area code 214
- Oklahoma – area code 405
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 870 area code located?
The 870 area code covers eastern, northern, and southern Arkansas, including Jonesboro, Pine Bluff, Texarkana, West Memphis, El Dorado, Blytheville, Batesville, and Mountain Home.
Does 870 have an overlay?
No. The 870 area code covers its large region of Arkansas on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 870?
Because 870 has no overlay, 7-digit local dialing has historically worked, but dialing the full 10 digits is now the recommended standard and always works.
What time zone is the 870 area code in?
The 870 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like all of Arkansas.
Related 870 Guides
- Is a 870 call safe? Read Is area code 870 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Jonesboro area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.