Laredo, Texas

Where Is Area Code 956?

Area code 956 is in southern Texas along the United States-Mexico border. It serves the Rio Grande Valley and nearby parts of South Texas. The area includes border communities and Gulf Coast communities.

Major cities in area code 956 include Laredo, McAllen, Brownsville, Harlingen, Edinburg, Pharr, Mission, and Rio Grande City. The area code covers all or parts of Webb County, Hidalgo County, Cameron County, Starr County, Willacy County, and Zapata County. It also serves many smaller communities across the region.

The Rio Grande is a defining geographic feature of area code 956. The region includes major international border crossings, and it reaches east to the Gulf of Mexico near Cameron and Willacy counties. Notable places in the area include South Padre Island, the World Birding Center network, and the international bridge system in Laredo.

History of Area Code 956

Area code 956 was created on May 25, 1997. It was split from area code 210 as telephone demand grew in South Texas. The split gave the lower Rio Grande Valley and Laredo their own area code.

Area code 956 remains a split area code, not an overlay. Public records from the North American Numbering Plan show no overlay for 956. Growth in cities such as Laredo, McAllen, and Brownsville helped drive the need for a separate code in the late 1990s.

Key Facts About Area Code 956

• Area code 956 is a Texas area code, and Laredo is one of its best-known cities.
• Area code 956 is in the Central Time Zone.
• Area code 956 was created on May 25, 1997, when it split from area code 210.
• Area code 956 is a geographic area code, not a toll-free code.
• Area code 956 serves major South Texas cities including Laredo, McAllen, Brownsville, Harlingen, and Edinburg.
• Area code 956 covers much of the Rio Grande Valley and several counties along the Texas-Mexico border.
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has campuses in Edinburg and Brownsville within area code 956.
• Texas A&M International University in Laredo is within area code 956.

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 in area code 956 include Laredo, McAllen, Brownsville, Harlingen, Edinburg, Mission, Pharr, and Rio Grande City.

Is area code 956 a toll-free number?

No. Area code 956 is a geographic area code for South Texas.