Area Code 661

California

Area code 661 serves California, primarily Bakersfield, in the Pacific Time (PT) time zone. It was created from a split of area code 805.

Published: February 17, 2026Verified against NANPA and FCC records

Split Area Code

This area code exists because its parent region ran low on available numbers: the parent territory was divided geographically, this code took over one part of it, and the parent kept serving the rest. Existing customers generally keep their numbers — only the code changes for the newly drawn region.

This area code was split from area code 805 (Oxnard).

In service since: 13-Feb-1999

Learn more about overlay and split area codes →

Demographics & Economics

Total Population: 1,692,873
Population Density: 187 people/sq mi
above U.S. average (U.S.: 95 people/sq mi)
Median Household Income: $70,210
below U.S. median (U.S.: $80,734)
Poverty Rate: 16.8%
above U.S. average (U.S.: 12.5%)
Unemployment Rate: 8.1%
above U.S. average (U.S.: 5.2%)
Education Attainment: Bachelor's Degree+
26.0%
below U.S. average (U.S.: 35.7%)
High School or Lower
37.1%

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 income ranking and density ranking.

Time Zone

Pacific Time (PT)

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

Pacific Time (PT)

Prefix Utilization

Geographic Coverage

State

Major Cities

Bakersfield
Santa Clarita
Lancaster
Palmdale
Delano
Oildale
East Niles
Wasco
Stevenson Ranch
Rosamond
Shafter
Greenfield
Arvin
Rosedale
Castaic
McFarland
Lamont
Lake Los Angeles
Tehachapi
Quartz Hill
Potomac Park
Golden Hills
East Bakersfield
Hillcrest

and 83 more cities

Area Code 661 geographic coverage map (light mode)

Demographics

The estimated population served by area code 661 is approximately 1,692,873. The population density is 187 people per square mile, which is higher than the national average of 95. The median household income is $70,210, which is lower than the national median of $80,734. Approximately 26.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national rate of 35.7%. This rate is lower than the national average. The poverty rate stands at 16.8%, which is higher than the national rate of 12.5%.

History

Area code 661 was created from a split of area code 805. It was introduced in 1999 as part of a geographic division to provide additional numbering resources.