The area code 978 is located in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
Area code 978 serves Haverhill, Massachusetts, and much of the Merrimack Valley and north-central part of the state. Centered along the Merrimack River, Haverhill sits near the New Hampshire border and anchors a region known for historic mill cities, colleges, and growing tech and healthcare hubs. The 978 area code was created in 1997 for northeastern and north-central Massachusetts, and it is overlaid by area code 351, which means 10-digit dialing is required for local calls. It spans parts of Essex, Middlesex, and Worcester counties, connecting river towns, suburban communities, and rural areas.
Major communities in area code 978 include:
Haverhill is known for its shoe-making past and for being the birthplace of poet John Greenleaf Whittier, with a museum site that preserves his early life. The 978/351 overlay ensures a steady supply of phone numbers while keeping local ties across the Merrimack Valley. Commuters in the area use the MBTA Haverhill Line to Boston, and many businesses list phone numbers with the 978 prefix to signal a local presence. For most residents and businesses, new numbers may be assigned as either 978 or 351, but both reach the same geographic region.
“Area code 978 was introduced in 1997 and overlaid by 351 in 2001.” — North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA)
“Population of Haverhill, MA (2020): 67,787.” — U.S. Census Bureau