Area Code 361
Texas
Area code 361 serves Texas, primarily Corpus Christi, in the Central Time (CT) time zone. It was created from a split of area code 512.
Split Area Code
This area code was created by splitting an existing area code into separate geographic regions. When a split occurs, some customers in the original area code region are assigned the new area code.
This area code was split from area code 512 (Austin).
In service since: 13-Feb-1999
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 1,225,877
- Population Density
- 23 people/sq mibelow U.S. average (U.S.: 93 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $64,014below U.S. median (U.S.: $75,144)
- Poverty Rate
- 18.4%above U.S. average (U.S.: 11.5%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 5.4%above U.S. average (U.S.: 3.6%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+19.6%below U.S. average (U.S.: 33.7%)High School or Lower39.6%
Statistics are population-weighted aggregations from Census ACS 5-year estimates. Population figures are approximate — see Sources & Methodology for details on how area code populations are derived.
See how this area code compares to all US area codes in the Statistics dashboard.
Time Zone
- Central Time (CT)
NANPA Relief Status
According to the latest NANPA analysis (July 2026), this area code is not currently listed as exhausting within the next 36 months. No relief planning is in progress for this NPA.
Source: NANPA NPA Relief Planning Reports · See all relief planning statuses
Current Time
Prefix Utilization
Geographic Coverage
State
TX
Major Cities
- Corpus Christi
- Victoria
- Kingsville
- Portland
- Alice
- Beeville
- Port Lavaca
- Rockport
- Robstown
- Ingleside
- Aransas Pass
- Los Fresnos
- Cuero
- Edna
- Yoakum
- Sinton
- Falfurrias
- Palacios
- Hebbronville
- Mathis
- San Diego
- Port Aransas
- Bishop
- George West
and 112 more cities
Historical Timeline of Area Code 361
Area code 361 was created on February 13, 1999, as the 250th area code in service in the North American Numbering Plan. Authorized by NANPA Planning Letter PL-153, it split the Corpus Christi, Coastal Bend, and Victoria Crossroads region from area code 512. (Source: NANPA PL-153)
The three-stage split of area code 512:
- 1992: Area code 210 split from 512 for San Antonio. Notably, Austin retained 512 despite San Antonio being the larger city, to spare state government agencies the cost of renumbering. (Source: Wikipedia)
- 1997: Two more splits occurred: area code 830 for San Antonio suburbs and southwest Texas, and area code 956 for the Rio Grande Valley. (Source: Wikipedia)
- 1999: Area code 361 activated on February 13. Permissive dual dialing (512 or 361) lasted until mandatory cutover on October 16, 1999. (Source: NANPA)
The 988 transition to 10-digit dialing: In July 2020, the FCC approved Order 20-100 designating 988 as the three-digit code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Permissive 10-digit dialing began on April 24, 2021, and mandatory 10-digit dialing took effect on October 25, 2021, affecting area code 361 along with six other Texas area codes. (Source: Texas PUC)
Regulatory History
Area code 361 has been subject to two major regulatory actions: its creation via NANPA Planning Letter PL-153 and the 2021 transition to mandatory 10-digit dialing under FCC Order 20-100. The Texas Public Utility Commission serves as the primary regulator for numbering relief in the 361 territory. (Source: Texas PUC)
| Year | Event | Docket | Regulatory Action & Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 512 Split | PL-153 | NANPA authorized the geographic split of area code 512, creating area code 361 for the Corpus Christi/Coastal Bend region. Effective February 13, 1999. (Source: NANPA) |
| 2020 | 988 Mandate | FCC Order 20-100 | FCC mandated transition to 10-digit dialing for area codes permitting 7-digit local dialing, to free the 988 prefix for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. (Source: Wikipedia) |
| 2021 | 10-Digit Transition | PUCTX-REL-NANPA-988-BEGINS | Texas PUC announced mandatory 10-digit dialing for seven Texas area codes including 361. Permissive dialing began April 24, 2021; mandatory October 25, 2021. (Source: Texas PUC) |
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 361).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Nueces, TX | 364,817 | 29.8% |
| Victoria, TX | 118,763 | 9.7% |
| Webb, TX | 116,788 | 9.5% |
| Jim Wells, TX | 76,069 | 6.2% |
| San Patricio, TX | 75,361 | 6.1% |
| Kleberg, TX | 67,664 | 5.5% |
| Live Oak, TX | 54,322 | 4.4% |
| Duval, TX | 47,671 | 3.9% |
| Bee, TX | 39,978 | 3.3% |
| Aransas, TX | 38,639 | 3.2% |
| Jackson, TX | 37,449 | 3.1% |
| DeWitt, TX | 30,877 | 2.5% |
| Lavaca, TX | 28,258 | 2.3% |
| Calhoun, TX | 27,634 | 2.3% |
| Goliad, TX | 25,471 | 2.1% |
| Gonzales, TX | 18,971 | 1.5% |
| McMullen, TX | 8,982 | 0.7% |
| Matagorda, TX | 8,353 | 0.7% |
| Colorado, TX | 8,061 | 0.7% |
| Brooks, TX | 7,324 | 0.6% |
| Refugio, TX | 6,693 | 0.5% |
| Jim Hogg, TX | 4,764 | 0.4% |
| Zapata, TX | 4,764 | 0.4% |
| Fayette, TX | 3,962 | 0.3% |
| Bastrop, TX | 3,334 | 0.3% |
| Karnes, TX | 908 | 0.1% |
| Kenedy, TX | 52 | 0.0% |
Area Code 361 Family Tree
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Area code 361 was originally assigned in 13-Feb-1999 to serve TX.
Call Context
This area code spans a mix of urban centers and rural communities across TX, with Corpus Christi as a primary city.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 361.
Other Area Codes in Texas
Area codes that also serve Texas, linked for easy comparison.