The 909 area code now covers far eastern Los Angeles County and southwestern San Bernardino County. It contains cities such as: Colton, San Bernardino, Ontario, Fontana, Chino, and Pomona. The 909/951 area codes has the 2nd highest amount of total crimes in California.[1]
The cost of living in "the 909" is generally less expensive than many parts of Los Angeles and Orange counties. Thus, many people live in "the 909" and commute westward to Orange and Los Angeles counties[2]. Under the traditional NANPA plan, 909 would be considered the "worst" area coded for pulse dialers, because of the length of time to send the pulse signal, in contrast to area codes such as 212 or 213.
The 909ISBN 0975305239 by Jim Stewart is a novel which chronicles the trials and tribulations of a group of young adults living in Inland Southern California.
The 909 in pop culture
In 2004, KROQ FM Released a charity album entitled "Christmas Time in the 909" which included a track of the same name by Greenbrier Lane.
In 2003, the character Summer from The O.C. demeaningly refers to Pittsburgh as "the 909 of the east."