Your Social Security Number Gives Away What State You Are From

It's a nine-digit number issued to you shortly after your birth that follows you (in nearly all your dealings) throughout your life within the United States. The Social Security Number (SSN) was first created in 1936 and had a single intended purpose: to track how much U.S. workers earn at their jobs. This information allows for the determination of Social Security benefits (calculated based on income). Since 1936, the use of Social Security numbers has evolved and is now considered more of a universal identifier. This numerical assignment is now a hub for all your personal information.

The initial reason for the SSN's creation remains its primary purpose. At the time, the government intended for a unique identifier to go out to tens of millions of U.S. workers to ensure proper reporting. But the infrastructure for such a task would take some serious effort. Initially, there were insufficient funds for the task. But President Franklin D. Roosevelt found a workaround and eventually, the Social Security Board was formed to decide how to craft the identifier.

After some back and forth, it was decided that the SSN prefix would be a geographical numerical sequence, that the two central numbers would identify a group, and that the four digits at the tail end would be a serial number. This nine-digit number would have to be assigned and provided to each individual, but initially, the Board was concerned that paper would be much too flimsy. There was some talk of using a metal card to create a durable form of identification.

Ultimately, however, the Board decided on a standard design that they would go on to change approximately 50 times over the years. Although there are different variations today, they are all valid (as it would have been a cost-prohibitive effort to update all with the release of each new design). Today, new and replacement cards issued are equipped with counterfeit-resistant features. To get one in 1936, Americans had to supply several details about themselves, including their name, address, current employer, employer address, age, date of birth, place of birth, sex, color, and signature.

Today, there is still an application process required for obtaining a SSN card, but it's a bit different. There's a paper version that can be dropped off or mailed in. For people aged 12 or older, an in-person interview is required as well. For babies, parents have the option to follow through with the "Enumeration at Birth" (EAB) process, which helps streamline the application process. Noncitizens have a similar process called "Enumeration at Entry" (EaE) that they can follow to obtain permanent residence in the country.

To compile this list of Social Security number prefixes, 24/7 Tempo reviewed government websites like SSA.gov, which not only lists the prefixes by state but also explains the meaning of Social Security numbers, breaks down their inception, and explains the methods by which they're obtained. (Here's your guide to understanding Social Security, with benefits and strategies explained.)

• State: New Hampshire

• State: Maine

• State: Vermont

• State: Massachusetts

• State: Rhode Island

• State: Connecticut

• State: New York

• State: New Jersey

• State: Pennsylvania

• State: Maryland

• State: Delaware

• State: Virginia

• State: North Carolina

• State: West Virginia

• State: South Carolina

• State: Georgia

• State: Florida (Also 589-595)

• State: Ohio

• State: Indiana

• State: Illinois

• State: Michigan

• State: Wisconsin

• State: Kentucky

• State: Tennessee

• State: Alabama

• State: Mississippi (also 587-588)

• State: Arkansas

• State: Louisiana

• State: Oklahoma

• State: Texas

• State: Minnesota

• State: Iowa

• State: Missouri

• State: North Dakota

• State: South Dakota

• State: Nebraska

• State: Kansas

• State: Montana

• State: Idaho

• State: Wyoming

• State: Colorado

• State: New Mexico (also 585)

• State: Arizona (Also 600-601, designated)

• State: Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah, taken during the day.

• State: Nevada

• State: Washington

• State: Oregon

• State: California (Also 602-626, designated)

• State: Alaska

• State: Hawaii

(Find out how Social Security is calculated.)