Where Is Area Code 956?
Area code 956 serves southern Texas, including Laredo and the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Area code 956 lies in the South Central United States along the Texas-Mexico border and reaches the Gulf Coast near the state's southern tip.
Major cities in area code 956 include Laredo in Webb County, Brownsville and Harlingen in Cameron County, and McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, and Pharr in Hidalgo County. Area code 956 also serves communities in Starr, Willacy, and Zapata counties, including Rio Grande City, Raymondville, and Zapata.
The Rio Grande forms much of the international boundary in the area code 956 region. Coastal places include Port Isabel and South Padre Island, while notable sites include Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park near Brownsville and Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in Cameron County.
Cities and Communities in the 956 Area Code
- Alamo, Hidalgo County
- Brownsville, Cameron County
- Donna, Hidalgo County
- Edcouch, Hidalgo County
- Edinburg, Hidalgo County
- Elsa, Hidalgo County
- Harlingen, Cameron County
- La Feria, Cameron County
- La Joya, Hidalgo County
- Laredo, Webb County
- Los Fresnos, Cameron County
- McAllen, Hidalgo County
- Mercedes, Hidalgo County
- Mission, Hidalgo County
- Palmview, Hidalgo County
- Peñitas, Hidalgo County
- Pharr, Hidalgo County
- Port Isabel, Cameron County
- Raymondville, Willacy County
- Rio Grande City, Starr County
- Rio Hondo, Cameron County
- Roma, Starr County
- San Benito, Cameron County
- San Juan, Hidalgo County
- South Padre Island, Cameron County
- Sullivan City, Hidalgo County
- Weslaco, Hidalgo County
- Zapata, Zapata County
History of Area Code 956
Area code 956 was established on November 25, 1997, in a split from area code 210. The split gave Laredo and Lower Rio Grande Valley communities a separate numbering area as demand for telephone numbers increased.
Area code 956 is a geographic area code, not an overlay. No separate overlay code has been assigned to the area code 956 territory, so the 1997 split from area code 210 remains the main change in its history.
Key Facts About Area Code 956
- Area code 956 is in Texas, and Laredo is its primary city.
- Area code 956 is a geographic area code for a specific region of southern Texas.
- Area code 956 is part of the South Central United States region.
- Area code 956 entered service on November 25, 1997, after a split from area code 210.
- Area code 956 uses the Central Time Zone, including Central Standard Time and Central Daylight Time.
- Texas A&M International University is located in Laredo, within the area code 956 region.
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has campuses in Edinburg and Brownsville, both within the area code 956 region.
- Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park is near Brownsville, one of the major cities in the area code 956 region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state is area code 956 in?
Area code 956 is in Texas.
What major cities use area code 956?
Major cities using area code 956 include Laredo, Brownsville, Harlingen, McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, Pharr, and Rio Grande City.
What time zone is area code 956 in?
Area code 956 uses the Central Time Zone.
Is area code 956 a toll-free number?
No, area code 956 is a geographic area code for southern Texas, not a toll-free code.