Area code 870 spans a large swath of eastern, southern, and western Arkansas, including cities like Jonesboro, Texarkana, El Dorado, and Pine Bluff. Established in 1997 after splitting from the original 501 area, 870 was designed to serve the less urbanized parts of the state, as Little Rock retained 501. This area code connects Arkansas’s agricultural regions, Delta communities, and parts of the Ouachita Mountains. The 870 region includes significant historical sites and small towns rich in Southern culture and history. Despite its rural character, the area continues to grow steadily, leading to the planned introduction of an overlay, 327, which will begin service in 2025. The longevity of 870 demonstrates its adaptability in a region where industry, agriculture, and heritage blend.