Is 024 a two digit number or a three digit number

Question

Is 0 considered a digit in 024?  Is 024 a two digit number or a three digit number?

Answer 1

024 is 3 digits, but =24

Answer 2

My question is: if you have the digits 0,2,4 and want to write the smallest three digit number, would the answer be 024 or 204? We have and had much discussion over the answer. Please verify the correct answer for the smallest three digit number using 0,2,and 4 only once in the solution.