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.
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 409 (Beaumont).
In service since: 19-Feb-2000
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 841,587
- Population Density
- 57 people/sq mibelow U.S. average (U.S.: 93 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $68,554near U.S. median (U.S.: $75,144)
- Poverty Rate
- 15.5%above U.S. average (U.S.: 11.5%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 4.8%above U.S. average (U.S.: 3.6%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+31.1%near U.S. average (U.S.: 33.7%)High School or Lower34.1%
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 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
- 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
Demographics
The estimated population served by area code 979 is approximately 841,587. The population density is 57 people per square mile, which is lower than the national average of 93. The median household income is $68,554, which is near the national median of $75,144. Approximately 31.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national rate of 33.7%. This rate is near the national average. The poverty rate stands at 15.5%, which is higher than the national rate of 11.5%.
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% |
Area Code 979 Family Tree
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Area code 979 was originally assigned in 19-Feb-2000 to serve TX.
Call Context
This area code spans a mix of urban centers and rural communities across TX, with College Station as a primary city.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 979.
Other Area Codes in Texas
Area codes that also serve Texas, linked for easy comparison.