When it comes to dialing phone numbers in the United States, area codes offer insights into the geography of the call. One such area code that piques curiosity is 971. If you’ve ever received a call from this number or had to dial it, you might ask yourself, “Which city code is 971 in the USA?” The answer takes you to the beautiful Pacific Northwest, known for its lush forests, hip urban culture, and scenic coastlines.
Area code 971 serves a region in the state of Oregon. It was introduced to help ease the growing demand for phone numbers in the region and today is an integral part of telecommunications in that area.
Where is Area Code 971 Located?
Area code 971 is not assigned to just one city but rather overlays a larger region of northwestern Oregon. It specifically covers parts of:
- Portland – Oregon’s largest city known for its thriving arts scene and coffee culture
- Salem – The state capital, rich in history and legislative significance
- Beaverton – A bustling suburb home to several high-tech companies
- Hillsboro – Part of Oregon’s Silicon Forest, known for its tech industry
- Tigard, Lake Oswego, and Tigard – Other suburbs of metropolitan Portland
These cities are known collectively for their environmental consciousness, innovation, and quality of life. Area code 971 makes communication throughout these cities seamless, bridging urban and suburban areas under one digitized umbrella.
Historical Background of Area Code 971
Originally, the Portland metropolitan area was served solely by the 503 area code. As the population and tech industry expanded rapidly during the 1990s, the need for more phone numbers grew.
To address this demand, the 971 area code was introduced as an overlay in 2000. The overlay meant that rather than splitting the geographic area again, both 503 and 971 would serve the exact same region. This method avoids confusion and allows new phone numbers to be assigned without disrupting existing ones.
At first, 971 functioned as a “non-overlapping overlay”, meaning it was restricted to certain types of services or areas. However, it later transformed into a full overlay where both 503 and 971 are used interchangeably within the same area.
What Cities Use the 971 Code?
Aside from Portland and Salem, several other towns and cities utilize the 971 code. These include:
- Forest Grove
- Newberg
- McMinnville
- Woodburn
- Gresham
Notably, even smaller suburban and rural communities within the northern part of Oregon may have phone numbers with a 971 prefix. This wide distribution makes it clear why overlays like 971 are necessary to keep up with the ever-growing demand for new telephone numbers.
How Do Overlays Like 971 Affect Dialing?
With overlays such as 971, 10-digit dialing becomes mandatory, even for local calls. This means you must always dial the area code along with the 7-digit phone number. So when calling someone in Portland, for example, you’d need to dial 971-XXX-XXXX, even if you’re just across the street.
According to the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), overlays are now the preferred way to introduce new numbers as they preserve existing area codes and minimize disruptions.
Fun Facts About the 971 Coverage Area
- Portland was once known for having more breweries than any other city in the world.
- Oregon is one of only five states with no regional sales tax — making its cities popular with shoppers.
- Silicon Forest, located largely within the 971 area, is so named due to the cluster of major tech companies like Intel based here.
Conclusion
If your phone lights up with a call from a 971 area code, you’re likely receiving a call from somewhere in the vibrant hub of northwest Oregon. Whether it’s Portland’s edgy downtown, Salem’s historic Capitol, or Hillsboro’s innovation parks, the region tied together by this area code is both diverse and exciting.
Next time you see 971, you’ll know it’s more than just a number — it represents a slice of the Pacific Northwest where nature, technology, and arts intersect.