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Area Codes/281
Texas State flag281 area code

Get a local phone number in Houston, TX

Biggest city

Houston

StateTexas
Major Cities

Houston, Pasadena, Baytown, Spring, Channelview, La Porte, Deer Park, Cloverleaf, Bellaire, South Houston, Katy, Aldine...

Timezone

Central (GMT -6)

Zip codes

77001•77099

Population

2,264,876

Unemployment

4.80%

Avg. Income

$56,019

Nearby Area Codes
346713

Last updated: November 7, 2025

281 • Houston

Starting at

$7/mo

Get started

281 area code summary

The 281 area code, significant for its coverage and historical development, encompasses several key facts:

Geographical Coverage: The 281 area code is located in the state of Texas, with Houston being the largest city it serves. This area code, along with its overlays, covers a substantial population and a wide geographical area, reflecting the urban and suburban spread of the Houston metropolitan area​​​​. History and Implementation: This area code was assigned on August 19, 1994, and it officially went into service on November 2, 1996. The introduction of area code 281 marked a key development in the telecommunication infrastructure of Texas, accommodating the growing need for phone numbers in the region​​. Overlap with Other Area Codes: Area code 281 has overlaps with three other area codes: 346, 713, and 832. This overlapping system, often referred to as an overlay plan, is a testament to the increasing demand for new telephone numbers, driven by population growth and the proliferation of mobile devices and services​​​​.

These facts not only highlight the significance of the 281 area code in terms of its regional importance but also reflect broader trends in telecommunications and urban development in Texas.

Fun fact 💡

Houston’s ‘Bayou City’ nickname comes from its 2,500 miles of waterways.

🏢 First Phone Company

Southwestern Bell (later AT&T)

📲 Get a 281 number: $7/mo
Customer Stories

What our users are saying

35%
More booked estimates
My crews are always out on jobs. Now they can take estimate calls from anywhere. Customers love the local number, and we book more jobs.
PG

Patricia Gayle

Landscaping Business Owner, Green Thumb Landscaping

Why Phone2?

More than just a 281 number

Get a complete business phone system with features that help you never miss a customer.

40%
fewer missed calls

Shared Team Numbers

Your whole team shares one business number. When someone is busy, another teammate answers. No more missed opportunities.

24/7
call coverage

Smart Call Routing

Route calls by schedule, team, or IVR menu. After-hours calls go to voicemail or forward to on-call staff.

2+ hrs
saved per week

AI Transcription

Every voicemail and call automatically transcribed. Search conversations, catch details you missed, skip the playback.

50%
faster follow-ups

Unified Inbox

Calls, texts, and voicemails in one thread per contact. Your whole team sees the full conversation history.

3
platforms supported

Works Everywhere

iOS, Android, and web apps. Make calls from your laptop, take texts on your phone. Your number travels with you.

2 min
setup time

Instant Activation

Pick a number, download the app, start calling. No hardware, no technicians, no waiting. Works immediately.

Ready to get your 281 number?

Get a local business phone number in minutes. No contracts, cancel anytime.

Get a 281 numberView plans

Starting at $7/month • 30-day refund guarantee • Cancel anytime

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