Area Code 979

Texas

Area code 979 serves Texas, primarily College Station, in the Central Time (CT) time zone. It was created from a split of area code 409.

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 409 (Beaumont).

In service since: 19-Feb-2000

Learn more about overlay and split area codes →

Demographics & Economics

Total Population: 841,587
Population Density: 58 people/sq mi
below U.S. average (U.S.: 95 people/sq mi)
Median Household Income: $70,000
below U.S. median (U.S.: $80,734)
Poverty Rate: 15.1%
above U.S. average (U.S.: 12.5%)
Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
near U.S. average (U.S.: 5.2%)
Education Attainment: Bachelor's Degree+
31.9%
below U.S. average (U.S.: 35.7%)
High School or Lower
34.0%

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

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

Central Time (CT)

Prefix Utilization

Geographic Coverage

State

Major Cities

College Station
Bryan
Lake Jackson
Angleton
Brenham
El Campo
Clute
Freeport
Wharton
Prairie View
Sealy
Hempstead
Giddings
Richwood
Hearne
La Grange
Caldwell
Bellville
Columbus
West Columbia
Sweeny
Eagle Lake
Weimar
Needville

and 61 more cities

Area Code 979 geographic coverage map (light mode)

Demographics

The estimated population served by area code 979 is approximately 841,587. The population density is 58 people per square mile, which is lower than the national average of 95. The median household income is $70,000, which is lower than the national median of $80,734. Approximately 31.9% 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 15.1%, which is higher than the national rate of 12.5%.

History

Area code 979 was created from a split of area code 409. It was introduced in 2000 as part of a geographic division to provide additional numbering resources.

County Coverage

Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 979).

County	Population	Share
Brazos, TX	245,100	29.1%
Brazoria, TX	132,432	15.7%
Austin, TX	70,666	8.4%
Colorado, TX	60,012	7.1%
Wharton, TX	45,988	5.5%
Robertson, TX	41,312	4.9%
Matagorda, TX	39,061	4.6%
Fayette, TX	38,938	4.6%
Washington, TX	37,678	4.5%
Fort Bend, TX	30,007	3.6%
Lee, TX	27,239	3.2%
Bastrop, TX	20,317	2.4%
Burleson, TX	18,338	2.2%
Waller, TX	14,943	1.8%
Milam, TX	12,469	1.5%
Lavaca, TX	5,494	0.7%
Jackson, TX	1,593	0.2%