786 takes over as most purchased area code: new report NBC 6 South Florida [Video]

Move over 305–people are clamoring for 786.

Once regarded as the ugly stepsister to the area code favored by Pitbull, in 2023, 786 took the number one spot for most purchased area code in the nation, according to data from NumberBarn, a phone number management company and service provider. 

It even beat out other popular area codes (think New York City’s 212) to land at the top.

So if you’re scratching your head asking why, you’re not alone. 

Here we answer the questions on your mind. 

It didn’t even make the top 20!

And it’s not because there are no more available and you can’t purchase them anymore. You absolutely can, for anywhere from $5 to $149,999 for vanity numbers through NumberBarn and other services.

It might not be disregard for the original Miami area code that led to 786’s triumph. Instead, it’s the introduction of a new code last year–645–that may have motivated the purchases, NumberBarn says.

“It appears that when a new overlay or area code is …