The 302 area code is Delaware’s area code. It is one of the few codes that still covers an entire state, from Wilmington in the north to the beach towns in the south.
Below are the cities in 302, the time zone, the history and what to do about 302 calls you do not recognize.
302 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | Delaware |
| Location | The entire state of Delaware |
| Time zone | Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | 1947 |
| Type | Original geographic area code |
| Overlay | None |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 302 Area Code Located?
Area code 302 covers all three counties of Delaware: New Castle, Kent and Sussex. Main cities and towns:
- Wilmington
- Dover
- Newark
- Middletown
- Rehoboth Beach
What Time Zone Is the 302 Area Code In?
Delaware is on Eastern Time.
- Eastern Standard Time (EST), UTC-5, in winter
- Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), UTC-4, from mid March to early November
That makes it three hours ahead of Los Angeles and one hour ahead of Chicago. A quick time check saves you from calling someone at dinner or before breakfast.
History of the 302 Area Code
- 1947: 302 is assigned to Delaware as one of the original North American area codes.
- October 24, 2021: ten-digit dialing becomes required in Delaware. The change was made nationwide in areas where the new 988 crisis line could clash with local seven-digit numbers.
That is the whole history. Delaware has never been split and has no overlay. Current projections say 302 will not run out of numbers until about 2033.
Why Does a Small State Get So Many Calls From 302?
Delaware has a small population but a large business footprint. Many American companies are legally registered in the state, and several major banks and credit card issuers run operations in Wilmington. Calls about credit cards, loans and account services are therefore very often from 302.
How to Dial a 302 Number
Local calls in this area are dialed with the area code included.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 302 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 302 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 302 a Scam?
Because so many real credit card and banking calls come from Delaware, fake “card services” and “account security” calls often use 302 numbers too. A real bank will never ask for your full card number, PIN or a one-time passcode on a call it started.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Fake bank or card fraud alerts that ask for your PIN or passcode
- Calls about Medicare, health insurance or a car warranty you never asked about
- Messages that claim a family member is in trouble and needs money
- Pressure to stay on the line and act right now
Caller ID can be spoofed, so the number on your screen does not prove where a call comes from.
What to do with an unknown 302 call
- Hang up as soon as a call feels wrong. You do not owe a stranger an explanation.
- Verify the caller through an official number, not the one they give you.
- Block the number.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 302 Phone Number
You do not have to live in Delaware to use a 302 number.
- Carriers: any new line with a Delaware address gets a 302 number. It is the only code in the state.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 302 number and forward calls to any phone.
- Toll-free numbers: a better fit if your customers are spread across the country.
Read our guides to virtual phone numbers and the 800 area code.
Area Codes Near 302
| 215, 267, 445 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| 610, 484, 835 | Southeastern Pennsylvania outside Philadelphia |
| 856 | Camden and southern New Jersey |
| 410, 443, 667 | Baltimore and eastern Maryland |
Related guides: 267 area code for Philadelphia, 202 area code for Washington, D.C., 201 area code for northern New Jersey.
302 Area Code FAQs
What state is area code 302?
Delaware. It covers the entire state.
What city is area code 302?
Wilmington is the largest. Dover, Newark and Rehoboth Beach are also in 302.
Does Delaware have another area code?
No. 302 is the only one, and no overlay is in place.
What time zone is 302?
Eastern Time.
Is 302 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 302 area code has covered all of Delaware since 1947 and is on Eastern Time. If a caller from 302 says they are your bank, hang up and call the number on the back of your card.
