Area coe 501 originally covered all of the state of Arkansas. It is one of the original 86 North American Numbering Plan areas assigned in 1947. As a result of population growth, area code 501 now covers only central Arkansas, including the capital Little Rock. South Arkansas as well as Northeast Arkansas is now area code 870, while northwest Arkansas is area code 479. Area code 501 is the original area code for the governor's mansion in Arkansas.