Area Code 973
New Jersey
Area code 973 serves New Jersey, primarily Newark, in the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It has served the region since 01-Jun-1997.
Published: Verified against NANPA and FCC records
Overlay Area Code
This area code shares its geographic footprint with an overlay code, so the same cities are served by two area codes. Because overlays leave existing numbers untouched, this region's relief planning favors adding codes over redrawing boundaries.
The codes serving this same region: area code 862 (Newark).
With prefix utilization already at 97.1%, numbering resources here are under sustained pressure — context that explains why overlays were introduced.
In service since: 01-Jun-1997
Demographics & Economics
Demographic Data Unavailable for Area Code 973
County-level demographic data is not available for this area code because NPA boundary polygons are not publicly distributed by NANPA. We use geographic boundary data from the Colorado Open Data Portal to map area codes to counties, which currently covers 194 of 376 geographic area codes.
Demographic statistics (population, income, education, poverty) require county-level aggregations from Census ACS data. Without a county mapping, these aggregations cannot be computed. We are actively seeking additional data sources to improve coverage.
Statistics are population-weighted aggregations from Census ACS 5-year estimates where county boundary data is available.See Sources for details.
Time Zone
- Eastern Time (ET)
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
NJ
Major Cities
- Newark
- Paterson
- Clifton
- Passaic
- East Orange
- Kearny
- Garfield
- Lodi
- Parsippany
- Morristown
- Harrison
- Hawthorne
- Preakness
- Dover
- Madison
- Hopatcong
- Short Hills
- Woodland Park
- Florham Park
- Upper Montclair
- Wallington
- Ringwood
- Wanaque
- Pompton Lakes
and 96 more cities
Demographics
Detailed demographic and economic data is not yet available for area code 973.
History
Area code 973 was established in 1997 as a geographic area code. It shares its territory with area code area code 862.
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 973).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Essex, NJ | 855,186 | 38.2% |
| Passaic, NJ | 587,729 | 26.3% |
| Morris, NJ | 475,834 | 21.3% |
| Sussex, NJ | 153,306 | 6.8% |
| Bergen, NJ | 70,273 | 3.1% |
| Union, NJ | 39,163 | 1.7% |
| Warren, NJ | 35,019 | 1.6% |
| Hudson, NJ | 22,128 | 1.0% |
Area Code 973 Family Tree
Hover over nodes to see details. Click to navigate to individual area code pages. Use scroll to zoom, drag to pan.
Area code 973 was originally assigned in 01-Jun-1997 to serve NJ. Over the years, it has generated 1 descendant area code through a combination of geographic splits and overlays as demand for telephone numbers grew.
Call Context
This area code covers a geographic region across NJ, including Newark and surrounding communities.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 973.
Other Area Codes in New Jersey
Area codes that also serve New Jersey, linked for easy comparison.