985 Area Code: A Thriving Community with a Rich History [Detail Guide]

Featured, Telecommunications

Do you feel lost and puzzled when you come across the 985 area code? It’s more than just a three-digit number – it designates southeastern Louisiana and was established in 2001 to meet the growing demand for phone numbers.

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This comprehensive guide will unravel all your questions about this region-specific dialing code, from its coverage area to how it impacts local businesses and residential services.

Stay with us as we delve into everything you need to know about the 985 area code.

Content Highlights

The 985 area code is a regional telephone area code in southeastern Louisiana, serving cities like Houma, Slidell, and Hammond.
It was established in 2001 to meet the growing demand for phone numbers in the region and replaced the previous 504 area code.
The 985 area code overlaps with neighboring area codes like 504, 225, 337, and 318.
Major telecommunications companies operating in the 985 area code include Nextiva, AT&T, Verizon, CenturyLink, and Cox Communications.

What is the 985 Area Code?

The 985 Area Code is a regional telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) that serves parts of southeastern Louisiana, including cities such as Houma, Laplace, Slidell, and Hammond.

Area code 985 covers the following parishes in Louisiana:

Ascension
Assumption
East Baton Rouge
East Feliciana
Iberville
Livingston
Pointe Coupee
St. Helena
Tangipahoa
West Baton Rouge
West Feliciana

Some of the major cities in area code 985 include:

Houma
Mandeville
Slidell
Covington
Hammond
Thibodaux

Area code 985 is served by the following local exchange carriers (LECs):

AT&T
BellSouth
Cox Communications
LUS Fiber
Windstream

To call a phone number in area code 985 from outside of the area, you must dial 1-985 followed by the seven-digit phone number.

Location and Coverage

Area code 985 is in the southeast part of Louisiana, close to New Orleans. It serves only this area. The main cities it covers are Houma, Slidell, and Hammond. All phone calls made within these areas use the 985 area code.

This area code was first given to this region by Level 3 Communications, Llc, on February 16, 2011.

History and creation in 2001

The 985 Area Code came to be in 2001. This code is for southeastern Louisiana. However, it does not serve the inner part of New Orleans. Before this, people used area code 504. Now, it’s the fifth area code in use in Louisiana.

It took over from both the 504 and 318 exchanges. Today, all calls made in southeastern Louisiana must use this code.

Cities and ZIP Codes in the 985 Area Code

The 985 area code covers several cities in Louisiana, including Houma, Laplace, Slidell, Hammond, and Covington.

Houma

Houma is a big city in Louisiana. It sits in the 985 area code in Terrebonne Parish. This city has many ZIP codes like 70360, 70363, and 70364. You can find Houma on Google Maps if you want to see more about where it is.

Read More: 983 Area Code

Laplace

Laplace, Louisiana, is one of the cities covered by the 985 area code. If you want to call someone in Laplace, you need to use the 985 area code before their telephone number. The 985 area code also covers other cities like Houma and Slidell.

It’s important to know that Laplace is in southeastern Louisiana, but it’s not part of the inner ring of the New Orleans area. Louisiana has other area codes like 225, 318, 337, 504, and 984.

Slidell

Slidell is a city located in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. It falls under both the 504 and 985 area codes. With the ZIP code 70458, Slidell has multiple other ZIP codes, including 70459, 70460, 70461, and 70469.

If you’re in Slidell and need to make a call within the area or receive one from there, remember to use the correct area code, depending on your location.

Hammond

Hammond is one of the cities in Louisiana that has the 985 area code. It is located in Tangipahoa Parish, which is in southeastern Louisiana. The city has a zip code of 70403 and is known for being one of the most populous cities within the 985 area code.

Covington

Covington is a city in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, serving as the parish seat. With a population of 11,564 according to the 2020 United States census, Covington falls under the 985 area code.

It is bordered by Folsom and Madisonville, which are also in the 985 area code.

Other cities served by the 985 area code

The 985 area code serves several other cities in Louisiana, including:

Abita Springs
Akers
Albany
Amite City
Bush
Folsom
Franklinton
Independence
Kentwood
Loranger
Madisonville
Mandeville

Phone Number Prefixes (NXX) in the 985 Area Code

The phone number prefixes (NXX) in the 985 Area Code will be analyzed and broken down, including a list of active phone number prefixes.

Analysis and breakdown of NXX prefixes

In the 985 area code, every phone number has a unique three-digit prefix called the NXX. This prefix is located between the area code and the four-digit line number. By analyzing these NXX prefixes, we can learn more about the distribution of phone numbers in this area.

Two major telecommunications companies associated with NXX prefixes in the 985 area code are Level 3 Communications, Llc – La and Sprint Spectrum L.p. These companies provide phone services to residents and businesses in different parts of the area.

Analyzing NXX prefixes helps us understand how many phone numbers belong to each company and where they are concentrated geographically. This information can be useful for understanding service provider options in specific cities or neighborhoods within the 985 area code.

Also Read: 855 Area Code

Active phone number prefixes

The 985 area code has 1,000 active phone number prefixes (NXXs). Some of the companies associated with these phone number prefixes in the 985 area code include Level 3 Communications, Llc ‑ La, and Sprint Spectrum L.p. The addition of the 985 area code was necessary due to the increasing demand for telephone numbers in southeastern Louisiana.

Service Providers in the 985 Area Code

Major telecommunications companies operate in the 985 area code, and their regional provider distribution varies.

Major telecommunications companies

Major telecommunications companies in the 985 area code include:

Nextiva
AT&T
Verizon
CenturyLink
Cox Communications

Carrier assignment and usage type

In the 985 Area Code, the carrier assignment refers to which telecommunications company is responsible for providing phone services in that area. The Carrier Locator report contains valuable information about the carriers operating in the 985 Area Code, including their address, telephone number, and types of services offered.

This report is helpful for customers who want to determine which carrier is associated with a specific phone number. It also helps customers understand what communication services they can expect from each carrier, such as making calls, sending text messages or MMS.

Some of the carriers serving the 985 Area Code include Allstream Inc., New Cingular Wireless Pcs Llc, and more.

Provider distribution in the area

In the 985 area code, there are several service providers that offer phone services. Some of these include Nextiva, Level 3 Communications, Llc ‑ La, and Sprint Spectrum L.p. These companies provide telecommunications services in the area and offer carrier assignment and usage types for different needs.

The distribution of these providers is spread throughout the region to ensure that residents have access to reliable phone services.

Area Code Maps and Lookup Tools

Explore the online resources available for area code lookup and maps, including reverse phone lookup services. Discover how these tools can help you uncover more about the 985 area code.

Online resources for area code lookup and maps

You can find online resources that help you look up area codes and maps for the 985 area code. These resources provide information on the geographical location of phone numbers with the 985 area code. They also offer features like seeing your current area code on Google Maps.

Additionally, you can find details about major cities within the 985 area code, like Hammond, Angie, and Bogalusa. Some resources even provide information on PACE programs and Ochsner locations in the 985 area code.

Reverse phone lookup

You can use a reverse phone lookup to find information about the owner of a phone number. This tool is free and provides over 80 million listings. It splits the phone number’s information into two sections, first verifying the city and state of the area code.

You can use it to find details like the name or Caller ID, county/parish, and carrier associated with a phone number. There are free services available for reverse phone lookups.

Time Zone and Area Code Overlap

The 985 area code is located in the Central Time Zone and overlaps with neighboring area codes, providing a convenient connection for residents and businesses alike. Discover more about the time zone and other overlapping regions in this article.

Time zone of the 985 area code

The 985 area code is located in the Central Daylight Time Zone (CDT). According to this time zone, it is 3:14 AM on August 13, 2023. This means that if you’re calling or receiving calls within the 985 area code, you’ll need to keep this time zone in mind for scheduling purposes.

It’s important to note that the 985 area code serves cities like Houma, Laplace, and Slidell in Louisiana. So whenever you need to know the time or plan a call within this area code, remember to consider the Central Daylight Time Zone.

Overlapping area codes and regions

The 985 area code overlaps with other area codes in certain regions. Here are some details:

The 985 area code overlaps with the 504 area code in parts of Louisiana, including New Orleans.
It also overlaps with the 225 area code, which covers areas like Baton Rouge and Lafayette.
In some areas, the 985 area code shares boundaries with the 337 area code, which includes cities such as Lake Charles and Opelousas.
Additionally, overlapping regions with the 318 area code cover areas like Shreveport and Monroe.

Latest Updates and News about the 985 Area Code

Stay informed about the latest changes, regulations, and technological advancements in the 985 area code to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.

Changes in coverage or regulations

The 985 area code has undergone some changes in coverage and regulations. One important change is that the permissive period for using either the old “504” area code or the new “985” area code ended on October 22, 2001, making using the new area code mandatory.

This means that people in this area must now use the “985” area code when making local calls. Additionally, there may be a requirement to dial area codes for local calls in certain areas.

These changes were implemented to free up a three-digit number, “988,” which will be used as a national number for mental health crises. It’s important to stay updated on these changes to ensure you’re dialing correctly and staying informed about any other potential regulatory updates or modifications.

New developments and technology updates

In the 985 area code, there have been some new developments and technology updates. One important update is that StarLink models now offer over-the-air software upgrades. This means that customers can easily receive the latest technology without needing a technician to visit their home or business.

It’s a convenient way to stay up-to-date with the newest features and improvements in telecommunications services.

Business and Residential Phone Services in the 985 Area Code

Learn how to set up a business phone number in the 985 area code and explore the benefits and options available for local businesses. Discover why having a residential phone service in this area code is essential.

Setting up a business phone number with the 985 area code

You can easily set up a business phone number with the 985 area code. It’s fast and simple with a business phone service like OpenPhone. You can get a (985) area code business phone number for $20 per month, no matter where you are in the country.

With services like OpenPhone, you can instantly buy a 985 phone number and start forwarding incoming calls to another number. You’ll be up and running within minutes with your new 985 area code business telephone number.

Benefits and options for local businesses

Local businesses in the 985 area code can benefit from having a local phone number. Having a local phone number allows businesses to boost their credibility with customers and shows that they are part of the community.

It also makes reaching customers easier, as they can easily remember the local area code. Businesses can use 985 area code numbers in their communications to reach a larger audience and achieve better conversion rates.

They can expand their customer base beyond just their immediate location. For example, Nextiva’s digital phone system offers benefits such as a local business presence, simple and affordable pricing, and instant activation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Check the answers below if you have any queries about the 985 area code.

1. What is the 985 area code?

The 985 area code is a telephone area code used in parts of southeastern Louisiana, including areas such as Slidell and Houma.

2. Which cities or regions are covered by the 985 area code?

The 985 area code covers cities and regions in southeastern Louisiana, including places like Hammond, Covington, Thibodaux, and Morgan City.

3. Are there any recent updates or changes to the 985 area code?

As of now, there are no known recent updates or changes to the 985 area code. It remains assigned to the same geographical areas it has covered since its introduction.

4. Can I transfer my current phone number to an account with a 985 area code?

Yes, depending on your service provider’s policies, you may be able to transfer your current phone number to an account with a 985 area code if you are moving or changing providers within the southeast Louisiana region covered by this area code.