Area Code 986
Idaho
Area code 986 serves Idaho, primarily Meridian, in the Pacific Time (PT) time zone. It is an overlay area code sharing territory with area code 208.
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 208 (Meridian).
In service since: 05-Sep-2017
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 2,804,894
- Population Density
- 16 people/sq mibelow U.S. average (U.S.: 93 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $72,355near U.S. median (U.S.: $75,144)
- Poverty Rate
- 10.8%near U.S. average (U.S.: 11.5%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 3.7%near U.S. average (U.S.: 3.6%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+28.5%below U.S. average (U.S.: 33.7%)High School or Lower31.0%
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 Statistics dashboard.
Time Zone
- Pacific Time (PT)
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
ID
Major Cities
- Meridian
- Nampa
- Idaho Falls
- Caldwell
- Pocatello
- Coeur d'Alene
- Twin Falls
- Post Falls
- Rexburg
- Lewiston
- Eagle
- Kuna
- Moscow
- Ammon
- Mountain Home
- Hayden
- Chubbuck
- Star
- Jerome
- Blackfoot
- Burley
- Rathdrum
- Middleton
- Hailey
and 212 more cities
History
Area code 986 serves as an overlay for the same territory as area code 208. It was introduced in 2017 to provide additional phone number capacity for the region. It shares its territory with area code area code 208.
Demographics
The estimated population served by area code 986 is approximately 2,804,894. The population density is 16 people per square mile, which is lower than the national average of 93. The median household income is $72,355, which is near the national median of $75,144. Approximately 28.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national rate of 33.7%. This rate is lower than the national average. The poverty rate stands at 10.8%, which is near the national rate of 11.5%.
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 986).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Ada, ID | 555,524 | 19.8% |
| Canyon, ID | 296,381 | 10.6% |
| Kootenai, ID | 187,388 | 6.7% |
| Bonneville, ID | 165,959 | 5.9% |
| Jefferson, ID | 109,300 | 3.9% |
| Bingham, ID | 107,620 | 3.8% |
| Twin Falls, ID | 95,680 | 3.4% |
| Bannock, ID | 90,306 | 3.2% |
| Jerome, ID | 90,082 | 3.2% |
| Gem, ID | 89,413 | 3.2% |
| Payette, ID | 82,437 | 2.9% |
| Fremont, ID | 67,714 | 2.4% |
| Madison, ID | 66,014 | 2.4% |
| Bonner, ID | 59,803 | 2.1% |
| Boise, ID | 51,904 | 1.9% |
| Elmore, ID | 50,986 | 1.8% |
| Owyhee, ID | 48,056 | 1.7% |
| Gooding, ID | 47,812 | 1.7% |
| Nez Perce, ID | 46,705 | 1.7% |
| Cassia, ID | 45,619 | 1.6% |
| Minidoka, ID | 43,764 | 1.6% |
| Latah, ID | 41,664 | 1.5% |
| Blaine, ID | 40,589 | 1.4% |
| Lincoln, ID | 37,459 | 1.3% |
| Boundary, ID | 32,446 | 1.2% |
| Idaho, ID | 30,633 | 1.1% |
| Power, ID | 25,767 | 0.9% |
| Shoshone, ID | 22,321 | 0.8% |
| Washington, ID | 22,136 | 0.8% |
| Franklin, ID | 17,100 | 0.6% |
| Lewis, ID | 13,804 | 0.5% |
| Adams, ID | 13,031 | 0.5% |
| Teton, ID | 12,940 | 0.5% |
| Valley, ID | 12,630 | 0.5% |
| Benewah, ID | 11,838 | 0.4% |
| Caribou, ID | 11,381 | 0.4% |
| Clearwater, ID | 10,423 | 0.4% |
| Lemhi, ID | 10,387 | 0.4% |
| Bear Lake, ID | 10,352 | 0.4% |
| Pend Oreille, WA | 6,913 | 0.2% |
| Oneida, ID | 6,707 | 0.2% |
| Custer, ID | 5,380 | 0.2% |
| Camas, ID | 4,263 | 0.2% |
| Butte, ID | 2,964 | 0.1% |
| Box Elder, UT | 1,584 | 0.1% |
| Clark, ID | 1,426 | 0.1% |
| Lincoln, WY | 289 | 0.0% |
Area Code 986 Family Tree
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Area code 986 was originally assigned in 05-Sep-2017 to serve ID.
Call Context
This area code covers a geographic region across ID, including Meridian and surrounding communities.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 986.
Other Area Codes in Idaho
Area codes that also serve Idaho, linked for easy comparison.