Texas · Central Time
979 Area Code
Area code 979 is in Texas, serving southeast-central Texas surrounding Houston, including Bryan-College Station and Brazoria County. It is in the Central Time zone.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 979 area code?
979 is a Texas area code covering southeast-central Texas surrounding Houston, including Bryan-College Station and Brazoria County. In the wider directory it sits in the South region.
Cities in the 979 area code
- College Station
- Bryan
- Lake Jackson
- Angleton
- Bay City
- Brenham
- Freeport
- El Campo
- Wharton
- Clute
- Sealy
- La Grange
- Giddings
- Columbus
Counties served by 979
Brazos County, Brazoria County, Matagorda County, Washington County, Wharton County, Austin County, Fayette County, Lee County, Colorado County and Burleson County.
Time zone note: Almost all of Texas is Central; far-west El Paso is Mountain.
Dialing 979
College Station, TX is currently served by the single area code 979, with no overlay. Ten-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit number) always works and is increasingly the norm nationwide; some local calls may still connect with seven digits. If a future overlay is added, 10-digit dialing would become mandatory.
From outside the US, dial +1 979 followed by the seven-digit number.
History of the 979 area code
979 went into service on February 19, 2000, created when it was split from 409. It serves College Station and the surrounding part of Texas. For how codes are created, split, and overlaid, see how area codes work.
Is 979 a scam or spam risk?
979 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 979 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in College Station, TX or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other Texas area codes
Explore more
See every code in Texas, compare codes across the South region, or view all Central Time codes. You can also browse the 9XX 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
979 area code FAQ
Where is the 979 area code?
The 979 area code is in Texas, covering southeast-central Texas surrounding Houston, including Bryan-College Station and Brazoria County, in the South region.
What cities are in the 979 area code?
Cities in the 979 area code include College Station, Bryan, Lake Jackson, Angleton, Bay City, Brenham, Freeport, El Campo, Wharton and Clute.
What time zone is 979 in?
979 is in the Central Time zone. Almost all of Texas is Central; far-west El Paso is Mountain.
When did the 979 area code start?
979 went into service on February 19, 2000.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 979?
Ten-digit dialing always works, and many areas now require it; some local calls in this area may still connect with seven digits.
Is 979 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 979 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.