Area Code 985
Louisiana
Area code 985 serves Louisiana, primarily Houma, in the Central Time (CT) time zone. It was created from a split of area code 504.
Published: Verified 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 504 (New Orleans).
In service since: 12-Feb-2001
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 1,343,477
- Population Density
- 121 people/sq miabove U.S. average (U.S.: 95 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $64,836below U.S. median (U.S.: $80,734)
- Poverty Rate
- 15.9%above U.S. average (U.S.: 12.5%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 5.8%above U.S. average (U.S.: 5.2%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+23.8%below U.S. average (U.S.: 35.7%)High School or Lower40.2%
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
Prefix Utilization
Geographic Coverage
State
LA
Major Cities
- Houma
- Slidell
- Laplace
- Bayou Cane
- Hammond
- Thibodaux
- Luling
- Mandeville
- Destrehan
- Covington
- Bayou Blue
- Bogalusa
- Raceland
- Ponchatoula
- Eden Isle
- Reserve
- Lacombe
- Galliano
- Schriever
- Larose
- Patterson
- Gray
- Chackbay
- Cut Off
and 58 more cities
Demographics
The estimated population served by area code 985 is approximately 1,343,477. The population density is 121 people per square mile, which is higher than the national average of 95. The median household income is $64,836, which is lower than the national median of $80,734. Approximately 23.8% 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 15.9%, which is higher than the national rate of 12.5%.
History
Area code 985 was created from a split of area code 504. It was introduced in 2001 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 985).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| St. Tammany, LA | 306,637 | 22.8% |
| Tangipahoa, LA | 232,968 | 17.3% |
| Terrebonne, LA | 162,131 | 12.1% |
| Lafourche, LA | 142,063 | 10.6% |
| Livingston, LA | 84,580 | 6.3% |
| Assumption, LA | 83,843 | 6.2% |
| St. Charles, LA | 81,524 | 6.1% |
| Washington, LA | 60,621 | 4.5% |
| Jefferson, LA | 56,285 | 4.2% |
| St. John the Baptist, LA | 41,880 | 3.1% |
| St. Mary, LA | 34,056 | 2.5% |
| St. Helena, LA | 31,336 | 2.3% |
| St. Martin, LA | 25,553 | 1.9% |
Area Code 985 Family Tree
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Area code 985 was originally assigned in 12-Feb-2001 to serve LA.
Call Context
This area code covers a metropolitan region in LA with moderate to high population density, centered on Houma and surrounding communities.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 985.
Other Area Codes in Louisiana
Area codes that also serve Louisiana, linked for easy comparison.