The 920 area code serves northeastern Wisconsin, including Green Bay, the Fox Valley cities of Appleton and Oshkosh, and the Lake Michigan shoreline down to Sheboygan. Created in 1997 when it split from 414, 920 covers one of the most industrialized and densely populated corners of the state.
Quick Summary of the 920 Area Code
| Area Code | 920 |
| 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 920 area code covers northeastern Wisconsin, from Green Bay and De Pere at the tip of the bay, southwest through the Fox Valley cities of Appleton, Neenah, and Oshkosh, around Lake Winnebago to Fond du Lac, and along the Lake Michigan shore through Manitowoc and Sheboygan. It shares its footprint with the 274 overlay.
Time Zone
The 920 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 920 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 920 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 920 Number
Because area code 920 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 (920 + 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 920, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 920 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 920 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 | Callers claiming you owe back taxes and threatening arrest unless you pay immediately. |
| Utility Shut-off | Fake WPS reps demanding payment to avoid disconnection. |
| Package Delivery Scam | Texts about a “held package” linking to a phishing site to steal your details. |
| Bank Fraud Alerts | Robocalls impersonating your bank about “suspicious activity” to phish account details. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 920 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 920 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 920 Region
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Area code 920 was created in 1997, split from 414, to serve northeastern Wisconsin; as the Fox Valley grew, the 274 overlay was added in 2010 across the same territory. The regional economy has deep manufacturing roots – the Fox River corridor was long known as the “Paper Valley” for its concentration of paper mills, and the area remains a center for paper, printing, and packaging. Green Bay is famous worldwide as the home of the Green Bay Packers and is a major meatpacking and shipping hub, while Oshkosh hosts the Oshkosh Corporation and the EAA AirVenture, one of the largest aviation gatherings on the planet.
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Looking Up a 920 Number
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To identify a 920 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, manufacturers, and government offices across northeastern Wisconsin publish their 920 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.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Wisconsin is served by several area codes. If you are researching 920, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 274 – Northeast WI overlay (same region)
- 414 – Milwaukee County
- 262 – Southeast WI / Suburban Milwaukee
- 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 920 area code located?
The 920 area code covers northeastern Wisconsin, including Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, and Neenah.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 920?
Yes. Because 920 shares an overlay with the 274 area code, you must dial all 10 digits for every local call.
What time zone is the 920 area code in?
The 920 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like all of Wisconsin.
Is 920 the same area as 274?
Yes. 274 is an overlay of 920, so both codes serve the exact same northeastern Wisconsin region.
Related 920 Guides
- Is a 920 call safe? Read Is area code 920 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Green Bay area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.