Area Code 201
New Jersey
Area code 201 serves New Jersey, primarily Jersey City, in the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It has served the region since 01-Jan-1947.
Overlay Area Code
This area code is part of an overlay region, meaning the same geographic area is served by multiple area codes. Overlay codes were introduced to meet growing demand for phone numbers without requiring existing customers to change their numbers.
This area code shares its geographic region with: area code 551 (Jersey City).
In service since: 01-Jan-1947
Area Code Splits
Parts of this area code’s original geographic region were later assigned new area codes through splits. When a split occurs, some customers in the original area code region are assigned the new area code.
Split into: area code 908 (Elizabeth).
Historical Timeline of Area Code 201
Area code 201 is the first numbering plan area (NPA) code ever assigned in the North American Numbering Plan, established in 1947 when AT&T devised the nationwide telephone numbering system. Originally covering the entire state of New Jersey, it has undergone three geographic splits over 50 years and one overlay, reducing its territory from the full state to just Hudson and Bergen counties — the two most densely populated counties in New Jersey. Source: Wikipedia — Area codes 201 and 551
- 1947: Area code 201 is established as the first NPA code assigned in the entire North American Numbering Plan. It covers the entire state of New Jersey, despite NJ having the highest population density in the nation. The middle digit "0" in the N0X format indicated statewide coverage under the original pre-1953 numbering convention. Source: Wikipedia Source: AboutAreaCode.com
- November 10, 1951: The first customer-dialed long-distance telephone call in history is made from Englewood, New Jersey. Mayor M. Leslie Denning dialed 10 digits to reach Alameda, California Mayor Frank Osborne. The call completed in 18 seconds without operator assistance. Englewood was selected because of its modified switching system at the Engle Street central office that enabled direct dialing throughout New Jersey and parts of New York. Source: Wikipedia
- 1956: The first split of 201 occurs. New Jersey is divided into two numbering plan areas: area code 201 retains northern New Jersey, while area code 609 is created for central and southern New Jersey (from Trenton southward, including the Jersey Shore and Delaware Valley suburbs). Despite the split, 7-digit dialing within New Jersey continues until 1963. Source: List of NJ Area Codes
- July 21, 1963: Office code protection ends in New Jersey. Area codes become mandatory for all calls between the two numbering plan areas (201 and 609). Prior to this date, all NJ calls could be made with 7-digit dialing. Source: Wikipedia
- January 1, 1990: Area code 908 is created from the southern portion of the 201 plan area. The split, announced by Bellcore in September 1989, carved off Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, Union, and Warren counties. Permissive dialing ends June 8, 1991. Source: NANPA Planning Letters
- June 1, 1997: Area code 973 is created from 201. Essex, Passaic, Morris, and Sussex counties are split off. This leaves area code 201 serving only Hudson and Bergen counties — the two most densely populated counties in New Jersey and closest to New York City. Source: Wikipedia Source: AboutAreaCode.com
- March 2001: The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) approves three new overlay area codes: 551 over 201, 862 over 973, and 848 over 732. Verizon, the dominant telephone company in New Jersey, specifically lobbied for an overlay rather than a geographic split to avoid forcing customers to change their phone numbers. Source: NJ BPU Consumer Handbook 2006
- December 2001: Area code 551 is activated as an overlay for 201. Ten-digit dialing becomes mandatory in the 201/551 region. This was part of a broader implementation that also included 862 overlaying 973 and 848 overlaying 732, making ten-digit dialing mandatory throughout northern New Jersey. Source: ZIP-Codes.com
Unique Facts About Area Code 201
From its earliest days, area code 201 has played a specific role in the region. Its journey from covering the entire state of New Jersey to just two counties makes it one of the most dramatically reduced original area codes in the NANP. Source: Wikipedia — Area codes 201 and 551
- First Area Code Ever Assigned in the NANP — Area code 201 was the first numbering plan area code assigned when AT&T devised the North American Numbering Plan in 1947. It was given to the entire state of New Jersey, despite NJ having the highest population density in the nation. The numbering plan's design pattern (middle digit 0 for entire states, 1 for split states) assigned 201 to NJ as the first code, with neighboring mid-Atlantic states receiving other low-numbered codes. Source: Wikidata Q762363
- Site of the First Direct-Dialed Long-Distance Call — On November 10, 1951, Englewood NJ Mayor M. Leslie Denning made the first customer-dialed long-distance call to Alameda CA Mayor Frank Osborne. The call completed in 18 seconds without operator assistance. Englewood was selected because of its modified switching system at the Engle Street central office that enabled direct dialing throughout New Jersey and parts of New York. The call connected to 11 major cities across the US. Source: Wikipedia
- Three Geographic Splits Over 50 Years — Area code 201 was split to create 609 (1956), 908 (1991), and 973 (1997) — three geographic splits that progressively reduced 201 from covering the entire state of New Jersey to just Hudson and Bergen counties. This makes it one of the most frequently split original NANP area codes. Source: List of NJ Area Codes
- 96.1% Prefix Exhaustion — As of 2026, 769 of 800 possible prefixes in area code 201 have been assigned (96.1%), with 533 landline prefixes and 236 wireless prefixes active. Only 31 unassigned prefixes remain. Despite this high utilization, the area code is not in jeopardy thanks to the 551 overlay providing additional capacity. Source: ZIP-Codes.com
- Cross-NPA Wireless Assignment — Area code 201 is also assigned for wireless services in some rate centers within the 973 and 908 numbering plan areas, including Newark, Morristown, and New Brunswick. This unusual cross-NPA wireless assignment is an artifact of the overlay system. Source: Wikipedia
- Hudson County: Most Densely Populated in New Jersey — Hudson County, a core part of area code 201, has a population density of 15,691.5 per square mile (Census 2020), making it one of the most densely populated counties in the United States. By comparison, Bergen County has 4,105.6 per square mile, and the national average is just 94 per square mile. Source: Census Bureau QuickFacts
- Verizon Lobbied for Overlay to Avoid Number Changes — When 201 needed relief in 2001, Verizon specifically lobbied for an overlay rather than a geographic split. Overlays were a new concept at the time and controversial because they required ten-digit dialing, but Verizon wanted to spare its customers the burden of changing their telephone numbers. The NJ BPU approved this approach in March 2001. Source: NJ BPU Consumer Handbook 2006
FCC Regulatory History
The regulatory history of area code 201 spans the full evolution of the North American Numbering Plan, from AT&T's original 1947 numbering scheme through the FCC's delegation of numbering authority to state commissions under the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) holds primary jurisdiction over numbering matters in New Jersey, and all major relief actions for the 201 NPA have involved BPU regulatory proceedings. Source: Wikipedia — Area codes 201 and 551
| Year | Event | Docket | Regulatory Action & Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | NANP established | AT&T Nationwide Numbering Plan | AT&T establishes the North American Numbering Plan, assigning 201 to New Jersey as the first NPA code. Area code administration delegated to AT&T as the Plan Administrator. Source: Wikipedia |
| 1984 | NANPA transferred to Bellcore | FCC Docket 80-286 | Following the AT&T divestiture, NANPA administration is transferred from AT&T to Bellcore (later Telcordia). The FCC retains oversight while delegating day-to-day numbering administration. Source: Wikipedia |
| 1989 | 908 split announced | NANPA IL-89-09-010 | Bellcore issues Information Letter IL-89-09-010 announcing the split of the 201 NPA. New area code 908 to be introduced for the southern portion (Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, Union, and Warren counties). Split scheduled for January 1, 1990. Source: NANPA Planning Letters |
| 1996 | Telecommunications Act | 47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(2) | Congress passes the Telecommunications Act of 1996, formally delegating numbering authority to state public utility commissions. The FCC establishes the framework under which state commissions like the NJ BPU approve area code relief actions. Source: PhoneNumbers.org |
| 1997 | 973 split approved | NJ BPU Docket | NJ BPU approves the creation of area code 973, splitting off Essex, Passaic, Morris, and Sussex counties from 201. Area code 201 is reduced to serving only Hudson and Bergen counties. Source: Wikipedia |
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 1,585,470
- Population Density
- 5,984 people/sq miabove U.S. average (U.S.: 94 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $123,715above U.S. median (U.S.: $78,538)
- Poverty Rate
- 10.3%below U.S. average (U.S.: 12.4%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 5.7%near U.S. average (U.S.: 5.2%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+50.4%above U.S. average (U.S.: 35.0%)High School or Lower26.7%
Statistics are population-weighted aggregations from Census ACS 5-year estimates.See Sources for details.
Geographic Coverage
State
NJ
Major Cities
- Jersey City
- Bayonne
- Union City
- Hoboken
- West New York
- Hackensack
- Kearny
- Fort Lee
- Fair Lawn
- Englewood
- Bergenfield
- Paramus
- Ridgewood
- Lodi
- Cliffside Park
- Secaucus
- Elmwood Park
- Palisades Park
- Rutherford
- Dumont
- New Milford
- North Arlington
- Tenafly
- Fairview
and 49 more cities
Time Zone
- Eastern Time (ET)
Current Time
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 201).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Bergen, NJ | 884,444 | 55.8% |
| Hudson, NJ | 688,350 | 43.4% |
| Passaic, NJ | 12,676 | 0.8% |
Call Context
This area code serves a major metropolitan region with high population density in NJ. The primary city is Jersey City.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 201.
Other Area Codes in New Jersey
Area codes that also serve New Jersey, linked for easy comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about area code 201 and how phone numbering works.
The original NANP assigned codes with middle digit 0 to entire states and 1 to split states. Area code 201, assigned to the entire state of NJ, was the first to break this pattern when NJ was split in 1956 — making it the first state to have its.
Despite the 1956 split of 201 into 201 and 609, all calls within New Jersey could still be dialed with 7 digits until July 21, 1963, when office code protection was ended and area codes became mandatory for inter-NPA calls.
Phone numbers assigned to area code 201 are tied to where they were originally provisioned — not the caller's current location. This code serving roughly 1585k people covers Jersey City in NJ, so a number originally set up there will retain the 201 prefix even if the owner moves or uses VoIP. As a densely populated metro area, Jersey City sees high call volume from both local and redirected numbers. Mobile phones keep their original number when users relocate, and businesses often adopt local area codes to establish a regional presence.
Start by looking up the area code on this site to understand its geographic context — area code 201 is associated with Jersey City in NJ. For caller-specific details, use your carrier's caller ID features or check public directories. If you suspect fraud, you can report it to the FTC. To file a complaint about robocalls or spoofed numbers, visit the FCC Consumer Complaint Center. You can also register with the National Do Not Call Registry.
When an area's available number pool runs low, regulators introduce an "overlay" code covering the same territory. Both codes coexist, and new numbers are assigned from whichever has availability. Area code 201 serves the Jersey City region in NJ, where growing demand for phone numbers necessitated an additional code. This area code shares its region with area code 551. Learn more in our overlay vs split guide.