Area code 870 serves a large swath of rural Arkansas, including cities like Jonesboro, Texarkana, El Dorado, and Pine Bluff. It was introduced in 1997 as a split from area code 501 to accommodate growth in the state. The region includes parts of the Delta, Timberlands, and Ozark Mountain areas, and is known for agriculture, forestry, and small-town life. Seven-digit dialing is still permitted in many areas. Area code 870 symbolizes Arkansas’s rural character and local traditions, often associated with southern hospitality, farming communities, and historic small-town charm.