Where Is Area Code 781?
Area code 781 serves eastern Massachusetts in the New England region, with Lynn as its primary city. It covers much of the suburban Boston region outside the central 617 and 857 area codes.
The area code reaches communities in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk counties. Major cities include Lynn, Malden, Medford, Revere, Waltham, and Woburn.
Notable features in or near the service area include Massachusetts Bay, Boston Harbor, Lynn Woods Reservation, Revere Beach, and the Middlesex Fells Reservation. Lexington and Lincoln contain parts of Minute Man National Historical Park.
Cities and Communities in the 781 Area Code
- Abington, Plymouth County
- Arlington, Middlesex County
- Bedford, Middlesex County
- Braintree, Norfolk County
- Burlington, Middlesex County
- Canton, Norfolk County
- Cohasset, Norfolk County
- Dedham, Norfolk County
- Duxbury, Plymouth County
- Hanover, Plymouth County
- Hingham, Plymouth County
- Holbrook, Norfolk County
- Hull, Plymouth County
- Lexington, Middlesex County
- Lincoln, Middlesex County
- Lynn, Essex County
- Lynnfield, Essex County
- Malden, Middlesex County
- Marblehead, Essex County
- Marshfield, Plymouth County
- Medford, Middlesex County
- Melrose, Middlesex County
- Nahant, Essex County
- Needham, Norfolk County
- Norwell, Plymouth County
- Norwood, Norfolk County
- Pembroke, Plymouth County
- Randolph, Norfolk County
- Reading, Middlesex County
- Revere, Suffolk County
- Rockland, Plymouth County
- Saugus, Essex County
- Scituate, Plymouth County
- Sharon, Norfolk County
- Stoneham, Middlesex County
- Stoughton, Norfolk County
- Swampscott, Essex County
- Wakefield, Middlesex County
- Waltham, Middlesex County
- Wellesley, Norfolk County
- Weston, Middlesex County
- Westwood, Norfolk County
- Weymouth, Norfolk County
- Whitman, Plymouth County
- Winchester, Middlesex County
- Woburn, Middlesex County
History of Area Code 781
Area code 781 was established on September 1, 1997, when the original 617 area code was split. The 617 code remained in Boston and some nearby inner communities, while 781 covered most surrounding suburbs.
Area code 339 was added as an overlay to 781 in 2001. The overlay allowed new telephone numbers in the same geographic region to use either 781 or 339. The split and overlay reflected growing demand for residential, business, wireless, and other telephone numbers in the Boston metropolitan area.
Key Facts About Area Code 781
- Area code 781 is a geographic area code in Massachusetts, and Lynn is its primary city.
- Area code 781 serves eastern Massachusetts in the New England region of the United States.
- Area code 781 includes communities in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk counties.
- Area code 781 was created in 1997 through a split of the original 617 area code.
- Area code 339 has overlaid area code 781 since 2001.
- Area code 781 uses Eastern Time, including Eastern Standard Time and Eastern Daylight Time.
- The service area includes Revere Beach in Revere and Lynn Woods Reservation in Lynn.
- The service area includes Waltham, home of Bentley University, and Wellesley, home of Wellesley College.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state is area code 781 in?
Area code 781 is in Massachusetts.
What major cities use area code 781?
Major cities include Lynn, Malden, Medford, Revere, Waltham, and Woburn.
What time zone is area code 781 in?
Area code 781 is in Eastern Time.
Is area code 781 a toll-free number?
No. Area code 781 is a geographic area code, not a toll-free number.