What do first 3 numbers mean in social security mean?

The first three digits of a Social Security number (SSN) are known as the "area number." Historically, they were assigned based on the geographic location of the applicant's residence at the time of application, with lower numbers often assigned to states in the Northeast and higher numbers to the West. However, since 2011, the Social Security Administration has used a randomization process to assign these numbers, making the area number less indicative of geographic location.