956 Area Code

The 956 area code is a telephone area code in the state of Texas, USA. It was created in May 1997 when it split from the 210 area code to provide numbering capacity for the growing communities along the Rio Grande Valley and the U.S.-Mexico border. The 956 area code serves a mix of border cities, trade hubs, agricultural towns, and coastal destinations�anchored by cities such as Brownsville, McAllen, Harlingen, and Laredo.

Understanding the 956 Area Code

The 956 area code covers the southernmost portion of Texas, known as the Rio Grande Valley. This region features strong cross-border commerce, international freight and logistics, agriculture (citrus, vegetables), tourism (South Padre Island), and growing healthcare and education sectors. The 956 numbering plan supports landline, mobile, VoIP and business services across urban centers and rural counties along the border.

956 Area Code Map and Location

The 956 area code map generally covers Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, Webb and Willacy counties and surrounding border communities. Counties commonly associated with 956 include:

  • Hidalgo County
  • Cameron County
  • Starr County
  • Webb County (Laredo)
  • Willacy County

Major Cities and Communities in the 956 Area Code

  • Brownsville
  • McAllen
  • Harlingen
  • Laredo
  • Mission
  • Edinburg
  • Pharr
  • Weslaco
  • Rio Grande City
  • San Benito
  • South Padre Island (tourist destination)

ZIP Codes in the 956 Area Code

Representative ZIP codes served by the 956 area include:

  • 78520 - Brownsville, TX
  • 78501 - McAllen, TX
  • 78550 - Harlingen, TX
  • 78040 - Laredo, TX
  • 78572 - Mission, TX
  • 78539 - Edinburg, TX
  • 78577 - Pharr, TX
  • 78596 - Weslaco, TX
  • 78582 - Rio Grande City, TX

Time Zone

The 956 area code is located in the Central Time Zone (CT) and observes Daylight Saving Time:

  • Standard Time: UTC -6
  • Daylight Saving Time: UTC -5

Dialing & Phone Service

  • Overlay Code: None � 956 currently operates without an overlay.
  • Local Dialing: 10-digit dialing (area code + number) is commonly required; follow carrier instructions.
  • Long-Distance (U.S./Canada): 1 + 956 + 7-digit number
  • International: +1 956 + local number
  • Services: Landline, Mobile, VoIP, Business

What Area Code is 956? / Where is Area Code 956?

What area code is 956? � The 956 area code is a Texas telephone area code serving the Rio Grande Valley and border communities including Brownsville, McAllen, Harlingen and Laredo.

Where is area code 956 located? � The 956 area code is located in South Texas, USA, along the U.S.-Mexico border covering parts of Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, Webb and Willacy counties.

What�s area code 956? � It is the numbering plan area created in 1997 from a split of 210 to provide additional phone numbers for South Texas�s growing border economy and communities.

Map

Embed a lightweight interactive map centered on McAllen, TX (approx. 26.2034� N, 98.2300� W) with a zoom level showing the Rio Grande Valley corridor from Brownsville west to Laredo and the Gulf coast near South Padre Island. Use a lazy-loaded Google Maps or OpenStreetMap iframe for best performance on mobile.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the 956 area code?

The 956 area code is a telephone area code serving South Texas�s Rio Grande Valley and border communities.

When was the 956 area code created?

It was created in May 1997, as a split from the 210 area code.

Where is area code 956 located?

It covers Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, Webb and Willacy counties along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Does 956 have an overlay code?

No. The 956 area code currently does not have an overlay.

What time zone is 956 in?

Central Time Zone (CT).

What major cities are in the 956 area code?

Major cities include Brownsville, McAllen, Harlingen, Laredo, Mission, Edinburg, Pharr and Weslaco.

956 Area Code