Area Code 971
Oregon
Area code 971 serves Oregon, primarily Portland, in the Pacific Time (PT) time zone. It is an overlay area code sharing territory with area code 503.
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 503 (Portland).
In service since: 01-Oct-2000
Geographic Coverage
Area code 971 serves Oregon, primarily the Portland area, in the Pacific Time (PT). It covers 148 communities. The geographic center of this area code is approximately 45.37°N, 123.03°W.
History
Area code 971 serves as an overlay for the same territory as area code 503. It was introduced in 2000 to provide additional phone number capacity for the region. It shares its territory with area code area code 503.
Demographics
The estimated population served by area code 971 is approximately 3,441,540. The population density is 293 people per square mile, which is higher than the national average of 94. The median household income is $87,084, which is higher than the national median of $78,538. Approximately 41.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national rate of 35.0%. This rate is higher than the national average. The poverty rate stands at 10.3%, which is lower than the national rate of 12.4%.
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 3,441,540
- Population Density
- 293 people/sq miabove U.S. average (U.S.: 94 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $87,084above U.S. median (U.S.: $78,538)
- Poverty Rate
- 10.3%below U.S. average (U.S.: 12.4%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 4.9%near U.S. average (U.S.: 5.2%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+41.0%above U.S. average (U.S.: 35.0%)High School or Lower23.4%
Statistics are population-weighted aggregations from Census ACS 5-year estimates.See Sources for details.
Geographic Coverage
State
OR
Major Cities
- Portland
- Salem
- Gresham
- Hillsboro
- Beaverton
- Tigard
- Aloha
- Lake Oswego
- Keizer
- Oregon City
- McMinnville
- Bethany
- Tualatin
- West Linn
- Woodburn
- Forest Grove
- Wilsonville
- Newberg
- Happy Valley
- Hayesville
- Milwaukie
- Sherwood
- Cedar Mill
- Canby
and 124 more cities
Time Zone
- Pacific Time (PT)
Current Time
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 971).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Multnomah, OR | 1,062,414 | 30.9% |
| Washington, OR | 786,305 | 22.8% |
| Clackamas, OR | 739,072 | 21.5% |
| Marion, OR | 348,540 | 10.1% |
| Yamhill, OR | 226,339 | 6.6% |
| Polk, OR | 103,557 | 3.0% |
| Columbia, OR | 58,692 | 1.7% |
| Clatsop, OR | 49,542 | 1.4% |
| Tillamook, OR | 28,487 | 0.8% |
| Linn, OR | 21,355 | 0.6% |
| Benton, OR | 13,953 | 0.4% |
| Hood River, OR | 3,284 | 0.1% |
Call Context
This area code serves the same metropolitan region as area code 503, including Portland, in Oregon. It was introduced as an overlay of area code 503, meaning both codes serve the same geographic territory.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 971.
Other Area Codes in Oregon
Area codes that also serve Oregon, linked for easy comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about area code 971 and how phone numbering works.
Phone numbers are assigned based on where the number was originally provisioned, not the caller's current location. Mobile phones retain their number when users move, and businesses may use numbers from regions where they don't have a physical presence. VoIP services can also provision numbers from virtually any area code.
Yes, mobile phones can have numbers from any area code in the region they were activated. Wireless carriers assign numbers from available pools regardless of phone type. When users change carriers or move to new areas, they typically keep their original number, which may have a different area code than their current location.
Start by looking up the area code on this site to understand its general geographic region. For the specific number, options include using your carrier's caller ID features or checking 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 your number with the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unwanted calls. Keep in mind that caller ID can display any name the caller chooses to set.
When an area's pool of available phone numbers runs low, regulators may introduce an "overlay" area code that covers the same geographic territory as the original. Both codes coexist, and new numbers are assigned from whichever code has availability. This area code shares its region with area code 503, area code 503. Learn more in our overlay vs split guide.
While Portland is a prominent city in this area code's coverage, the code serves the broader surrounding region as well. Area codes are assigned geographically and typically cover multiple cities, towns, and communities beyond any single anchor city.
The estimated total population served by area code 971 is based on aggregated U.S. Census Bureau data for the counties within this area code. The population varies significantly between dense urban codes serving millions and rural codes covering smaller populations. You can find the specific population figure in the demographics section above.