Mississippi · Central Time
601 Area Code
Area code 601 is in Mississippi, serving central and southern Mississippi, including Jackson, Hattiesburg and Meridian. It is in the Central Time zone. It shares its territory with overlay code 769, so 10-digit dialing is required.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 601 area code?
601 is a Mississippi area code covering central and southern Mississippi, including Jackson, Hattiesburg and Meridian. In the wider directory it sits in the South region.
Cities in the 601 area code
- Jackson
- Hattiesburg
- Meridian
- Brandon
- Pearl
- Madison
- Clinton
- Ridgeland
- Vicksburg
- Laurel
- Natchez
- McComb
- Brookhaven
- Picayune
Counties served by 601
Hinds County, Rankin County, Madison County, Forrest County, Lauderdale County, Warren County, Jones County, Lamar County, Adams County and Pike County.
601 overlay codes and dialing
The 601 territory is covered by an overlay of 2 area codes: 601, 769. All of them serve the same geographic area, and the original code is 601. Because more than one code covers the same ground, 10-digit dialing is mandatory — you must dial the area code for every local call. New phone lines may be assigned any of these codes.
History of the 601 area code
601 is one of the original area codes assigned in 1947, when AT&T and Bell Laboratories created the North American Numbering Plan and divided the country into the first 86 numbering plan areas. It has served the Jackson area ever since, with 769 later added as an overlay to supply more numbers.
Is 601 a scam or spam risk?
601 is a legitimate geographic area code, not a premium or toll line, so a call from it costs you nothing extra. That said, scammers frequently spoof real local area codes to look familiar on caller ID. A genuine 601 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Jackson, MS or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Explore more
See every code in Mississippi, compare codes across the South region, or view all Central Time codes. You can also browse the 6XX block or the complete numeric list of US area codes.
New to how this all works? Start with how area codes work, then read up on overlays, 10-digit dialing, and spam & scam-risk codes. To check another number, use the area code lookup tool.
Quick answers
601 area code FAQ
Where is the 601 area code?
The 601 area code is in Mississippi, covering central and southern Mississippi, including Jackson, Hattiesburg and Meridian, in the South region.
What cities are in the 601 area code?
Cities in the 601 area code include Jackson, Hattiesburg, Meridian, Brandon, Pearl, Madison, Clinton, Ridgeland, Vicksburg and Laurel.
What time zone is 601 in?
601 is in the Central Time zone.
What is the overlay for the 601 area code?
601 shares its territory with 769. Both codes (601, 769) serve the same area, so 10-digit dialing is required for every call.
When did the 601 area code start?
601 went into service on January 1, 1947 as one of the original 1947 North American area codes.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 601?
Yes. Because 601 is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 601 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 601 is a standard geographic area code, so calling it costs the same as any local or long-distance call on your plan. Toll-free calls use 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833.