Where Is Area Code 978?
Area code 978 serves northern and north-central Massachusetts in the New England region. Haverhill, in Essex County, is the primary city, and the coverage includes communities near the New Hampshire border and throughout the Merrimack River Valley.
Major cities include Lawrence, Lowell, Fitchburg, Leominster, Beverly, Gloucester, Newburyport, Peabody, and Salem. The code also covers towns in Essex, Middlesex, Worcester, and Franklin counties, including North Shore communities and inland communities west and north of Boston.
Notable geographic features include the Merrimack River, which passes through Haverhill and Lowell, and the Atlantic coastline around Cape Ann. Lowell National Historical Park is in Lowell and preserves important sites from the city’s industrial history.
Cities and Communities in the 978 Area Code
- Acton, Middlesex County
- Amesbury, Essex County
- Andover, Essex County
- Ashburnham, Worcester County
- Ashby, Middlesex County
- Athol, Worcester County
- Ayer, Middlesex County
- Barre, Worcester County
- Beverly, Essex County
- Berlin, Worcester County
- Billerica, Middlesex County
- Bolton, Worcester County
- Boxborough, Middlesex County
- Boxford, Essex County
- Carlisle, Middlesex County
- Chelmsford, Middlesex County
- Clinton, Worcester County
- Concord, Middlesex County
- Danvers, Essex County
- Dracut, Middlesex County
- Dunstable, Middlesex County
- Essex, Essex County
- Fitchburg, Worcester County
- Gardner, Worcester County
- Georgetown, Essex County
- Gloucester, Essex County
- Groton, Middlesex County
- Groveland, Essex County
- Hamilton, Essex County
- Harvard, Middlesex County
- Haverhill, Essex County
- Hudson, Middlesex County
- Hubbardston, Worcester County
- Ipswich, Essex County
- Lancaster, Worcester County
- Lawrence, Essex County
- Leominster, Worcester County
- Littleton, Middlesex County
- Lowell, Middlesex County
- Lunenburg, Worcester County
- Manchester-by-the-Sea, Essex County
- Maynard, Middlesex County
- Merrimac, Essex County
- Methuen, Essex County
- Middleton, Essex County
- New Salem, Franklin County
- Newbury, Essex County
- Newburyport, Essex County
- North Andover, Essex County
- North Reading, Middlesex County
- Orange, Franklin County
- Peabody, Essex County
- Pepperell, Middlesex County
- Petersham, Worcester County
- Phillipston, Worcester County
- Princeton, Worcester County
- Rockport, Essex County
- Rowley, Essex County
- Royalston, Worcester County
- Salem, Essex County
- Salisbury, Essex County
- Shirley, Middlesex County
- Sterling, Worcester County
- Stow, Middlesex County
- Sudbury, Middlesex County
- Templeton, Worcester County
- Tewksbury, Middlesex County
- Topsfield, Essex County
- Townsend, Middlesex County
- Tyngsborough, Middlesex County
- Warwick, Franklin County
- Wendell, Franklin County
- Wenham, Essex County
- West Newbury, Essex County
- Westford, Middlesex County
- Westminster, Worcester County
- Wilmington, Middlesex County
- Winchendon, Worcester County
History of Area Code 978
Area code 978 entered service on July 1, 1997, after a geographic split from area code 508. The split created a separate numbering plan area for northern and north-central Massachusetts, following the earlier creation of area code 508 from area code 617 in 1988.
Area code 351 began service as an overlay for 978 on May 2, 2001. The overlay uses the same geographic region, so communities in the 978 area can have either 978 or 351 numbers.
Key Facts About Area Code 978
- Area code 978 is a geographic telephone area code in Massachusetts, not a toll-free code.
- Haverhill, Massachusetts, is the primary city associated with area code 978.
- Area code 978 is in the U.S. Census New England region.
- Area code 978 uses Eastern Time.
- Area code 978 serves parts of Essex, Middlesex, Worcester, and Franklin counties.
- Area code 978 entered service on July 1, 1997, after splitting from area code 508.
- Area code 351 has overlaid the 978 service area since May 2, 2001.
- Lowell National Historical Park and the University of Massachusetts Lowell are located in Lowell, a major 978 community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state is area code 978 in?
Area code 978 is in Massachusetts.
What major cities use area code 978?
Major cities using area code 978 include Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Fitchburg, Leominster, Beverly, Gloucester, Newburyport, Peabody, and Salem.
What time zone is area code 978 in?
Area code 978 is in Eastern Time.
Is area code 978 a toll-free number?
No, area code 978 is a geographic area code, not a toll-free number.