The 270 area code serves western Kentucky, including Bowling Green, Owensboro, and Paducah. Created in 1999 when it split from 502, 270 covers the western third of the state and shares its footprint with the 364 overlay.
Quick Summary of the 270 Area Code
| Area Code | 270 |
| State | Kentucky (KY) |
| Region | Western Kentucky |
| Major Cities | Bowling Green, Owensboro, Paducah, Hopkinsville, Elizabethtown, Henderson, Madisonville, Murray |
| Time Zone | Mostly Central (CT); eastern edge Eastern (ET) |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Geographic Coverage
The 270 area code covers western Kentucky, from Paducah and the Jackson Purchase in the far west, through Hopkinsville, Madisonville, and Henderson in the west-central region, to Owensboro on the Ohio River, Bowling Green in the south-central Pennyroyal, and Elizabethtown near the eastern edge. It borders Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, and Indiana across this large region.
Time Zone
The 270 area code spans two time zones. Most of western Kentucky – including Paducah, Bowling Green, Owensboro, and Hopkinsville – observes Central Time (CT), while the eastern edge of the region around Elizabethtown observes Eastern Time (ET). Both zones follow daylight saving time from mid-March through early November. When calling a 270 number, it helps to confirm whether the person is in the Central-time western part of the region or the Eastern-time eastern edge, since the two are one hour apart.
Tip: Business hours across the 270 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 270 Number
Because area code 270 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 (270 + 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 270, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 270 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 270 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Bowling Green, Owensboro, Paducah, Hopkinsville, Elizabethtown, Henderson, Madisonville, Murray 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 utility callers demanding instant payment to keep your power on. |
| Military / Veteran Scam | Calls targeting Fort Campbell and Fort Knox families with fake benefit solicitations. |
| Bank Fraud Alerts | Robocalls impersonating your bank about “suspicious activity” to phish account details. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 270 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 Kentucky 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 (LG&E, Kentucky Utilities, or Duke Energy) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 270 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 270 Region
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Area code 270 was created in 1999, split from 502, to serve western Kentucky; as demand grew, the 364 overlay was added in 2014 across the same territory. The regional economy is diverse. Bowling Green is home to Western Kentucky University and the General Motors Corvette assembly plant, Owensboro is a center of bluegrass music, bourbon, and river commerce, and Paducah is a historic Ohio River port and a UNESCO Creative City known for quilting and the arts. Fort Campbell near Hopkinsville and Fort Knox near Elizabethtown are major military installations, while agriculture, coal from the western coalfield, and manufacturing round out the economy.
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Looking Up a 270 Number
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To identify a 270 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, universities, and government offices across western Kentucky publish their 270 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
Kentucky is served by five area codes. If you are researching 270, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 364 – Western Kentucky overlay (same region)
- 502 – Louisville Metro & North Central KY
- 859 – Lexington & Central KY
- 606 – Eastern KY / Appalachia & Ashland
You can also browse our full directory of Kentucky 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 Kentucky:
- Illinois – area code 312
- Indiana – area code 317
- Ohio – area code 216
- West Virginia – area code 304
- Virginia – area code 804
- Tennessee – area code 615
- Missouri – area code 314
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 270 area code located?
The 270 area code covers western Kentucky, including Bowling Green, Owensboro, Paducah, Hopkinsville, Elizabethtown, Henderson, Madisonville, and Murray.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 270?
Yes. Because 270 shares an overlay with the 364 area code, you must dial all 10 digits for every local call.
What time zone is the 270 area code in?
Most of the 270 region is on Central Time (Paducah, Bowling Green, Owensboro, Hopkinsville), while the eastern edge around Elizabethtown is on Eastern Time.
Is 270 the same area as 364?
Yes. 364 is an overlay of 270, so both codes serve the exact same western Kentucky region.
Related 270 Guides
- Is a 270 call safe? Read Is area code 270 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Bowling Green area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.