The area code 551 is located in Bayonne, New Jersey.
Area code 551 serves Bayonne, New Jersey, as part of an overlay with area code 201 covering all of Hudson and Bergen counties. Bayonne sits on a peninsula between Newark Bay, New York Bay, and the Kill Van Kull, with the iconic Bayonne Bridge linking it to Staten Island. The overlay was introduced in 2001 to add more phone numbers, so local calls now use 10-digit dialing. Landmarks in Bayonne include the Cape Liberty Cruise Port and waterfront parks, making this urban corner of North Jersey closely tied to New York City commerce and travel.
This local area code covers Bayonne and nearby major hubs in northern New Jersey, including:
Because 551 overlays 201, both area codes serve the same neighborhoods and businesses, supporting landline, mobile, and VoIP phone numbers. It helps keep local identity while expanding number availability, which is important in this busy metro area.
Area code history adds a fun twist here: 201 is one of the original U.S. area codes from 1947, and 551 was added later to meet demand. In fact, Englewood in Bergen County was part of a telecommunications milestone. "First U.S. customer-dialed long-distance call: 1951, Englewood, NJ" — AT&T Archives. "Established: 2001 (overlay of 201); Coverage: Hudson and Bergen counties; Dialing: 10 digits" — North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA). These details explain why 551 Bayonne phone numbers are common today and why 10-digit dialing is standard across this part of North Jersey.