713, 281, 832, 346, and ...
Houston, prepare for a new area code coming soon to local contact lists
Prepare to add a new area code to your Houston contacts.
Houston's population boom is easily measured by numbers — we added 11,223 new residents between July 2021 to July 2022, per our recent reporting. Now, another number signifies our boom: a new area code.
On Wednesday, October 25, the Public Utility Commission of Texas announced a new area code for Houston: 621. This move comes in effort to accomodate the city's continued population growth, per a press announcement. Locals can expect the new 621 area code to take effect by the end of 2025, per the commission.
Importantly, the new 621 area code will not affect existing phone numbers, the commission notes, only newly created digits. As residents are already required to dial ten digits for locals calls, the commission calls says this will be a "seamless transition for residents." (Our contact lists may disagree.)
“Houston—and all of Texas—continues to grow because our state offers freedom and opportunity that cannot be found anywhere else in the world,” said Governor Greg Abbott in a statement. “This new phone area code is a testament to the economic strength and quality of life in the greater Houston area. I thank the Public Utility Commission for taking this critical step to improve telephone infrastructure to meet the demands of our growing state.”
A little area code history: The O.G., 713, was created in 1947 as one of the original four numbering plan area codes assigned to Texas. In 1996, Houston adopted 281 for the suburbs; 832 followed in 1999. The newest, 346, came along in 2013. This new 621 is expected to meet numbering needs for an additional nine years, according to press materials.
