Area code 503 Location
Area code 503 is located in northwest Oregon, covering major cities such as Portland, Salem, Gresham, Hillsboro, and Beaverton. Portland is the largest city in this region, with a population of more than half a million.
503’s territory includes 12 counties, including Multnomah, Washington, Marion, and Clackamas. All follow the Pacific Time Zone, eight hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-8).
Popular Cities Total Population County 583,776 Multnomah 154,637 105,594 91,611 89,803 49,425 48,035 36,619 36,478 31,859 31,859Portland Salem Marion Gresham Multnomah Hillsboro Washington Beaverton Washington Aloha Washington Tigard Washington Lake Oswego Clackamas Keizer Marion McMinnville Warren Oregon Clackamas
History of the 503 Area Code
503 area code is one of the original 86 area codes, introduced back in 1947. After a couple of decades, 503 phone numbers were on the verge of being overused, which led to its split, establishing the 541 area code. Since then, 503 has been serving Portland and its neighboring suburbs, while 541 is handling the demand of Oregon’s other half.
The North America Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) noticed the need for a new area code as the region's necessity continued growing. So, in 2000, area code 917 was added as an overlay to the existing 503, making the service more accessible and prominent.
Exploring the Business Landscape in the 503 Area Code Region
Portland has a vivid business ecosystem backed by advanced technology, enabling different industries and startups to reach customers. Most industries built here include retail, healthcare, and technology sectors, making the area a dynamic marketplace.
Furthermore, the city has a great startup culture supported by a skilled workforce and robust infrastructure. Global enterprises like Intel, Nike, and Voodoo Doughnuts are running smoothly here. As per the Small Business Advisory Council report, Portland has over 43,000 small firms and businesses employing 255,294 people with a payroll of approximately $2.1 billion in 2001 alone. So, it won’t be surprising to learn that the numbers have increased after this long.
503 Nearby Area Codes
Location Area CodesVancouver, Washington 360 Eugene, Oregon 458, 541 Portland, Oregon 503, 971 Spokane, Washington 509 Seattle, Washington 564