New York City, a bustling metropolis with millions of residents, often runs out of telephone numbers due to its rapid population growth. As a result, new area codes are periodically introduced. Starting Thursday, New York City will launch area code 465, marking the city’s eighth area code and the first since 2017.

This new code will serve various parts of the city, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Marble Hill section of Manhattan. Historically, each area code holds specific cultural and social significance. The original area code, 212, introduced in 1947, is viewed as prestigious and is strongly associated with Manhattan. This is reflected in cultural references such as rapper Azealia Banks’ mention of the code in relation to Manhattan’s uptown area.

Area codes can influence perceptions in the city, much like neighborhood affiliation or local culinary preferences. They have been subjects of attention in popular media, highlighted by characters like Carrie Bradshaw in the “Sex and the City” movie, who famously expressed frustration over changing her phone number from 917 to an alternative code.

The introduction of area code 465 is part of the city’s response to growing demands for new phone numbers as the city continues to expand. While some may find the adjustment to new digits challenging, the need for this change underscores the continuous growth and evolution of New York City.