Where is Area Code 713?
Area code 713 principally serves the Houston metropolitan region in southeastern Texas. The following localities and surrounding areas commonly utilize 713:
- Houston, which stands as the largest city in Texas and covers numerous neighborhoods within city limits.
- Pasadena, recognized for its prominent industrial sector and residential communities.
- Bellaire, a smaller, largely residential city encircled by Houston.
- Galena Park, situated along the Houston Ship Channel and featuring a mix of residential and industrial districts.
- West University Place, an affluent area near downtown Houston.
- Portions of Harris County, which encompasses Houston and nearby communities.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC), located at 1701 N. Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78711, regularly provides Texas regulatory guidelines for local telephone services in the 713 region.
What Time Zone Is 713 Area Code in the USA?
The 713 area code is located in the Central Time Zone (CT). This time zone is subject to Daylight Saving Time according to federal and state regulations. During the warmer months, clocks are moved one hour forward to extend evening daylight. It returns to Central Standard Time in the fall, when clocks revert to their standard setting.
Key points regarding time observance in the 713 area code:
- Standard Time: Central Standard Time (CST), UTC-06:00.
- Daylight Saving Time: Central Daylight Time (CDT), UTC-05:00.
- Governing Authority: Federal and state guidelines, including information from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and local Texas laws.
History of the 713 Area Code
The 713 area code was one of the original area codes established in 1947 to address telephone service needs across the state of Texas. Over time, increasing demand for phone lines and technological changes created the necessity to adjust boundaries and introduce additional overlay area codes.
Critical milestones in its evolution include:
- 1947: The North American Numbering Plan introduced area code 713 to encompass a large region of southeastern Texas.
- 1983: A split occurred due to rapid growth; the 409 area code was introduced for certain areas, narrowing 713’s coverage.
- 1996: Another split took place, creating the 281 area code to help manage new subscribers in the ever-expanding Houston metropolitan region.
- 1999: Area code 832 was overlaid onto the existing 713/281 territory.
- 2014: Further growth in the Houston region led to the introduction of area code 346 as an overlay.
For further details on nationwide numbering changes, the official telephone numbering resources from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), located at 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554, offer comprehensive information on area code history and administration.
How Many People Use the 713 Area Code?
An exact tally of users within the 713 area code can vary, as subscribers may hold multiple devices and services. However, as a long-established code in one of the largest metropolitan areas in Texas, it is estimated that millions of individuals, businesses, and institutions utilize 713 for their landline and wireless numbers.
The following factors contribute to the high volume of users in the 713 area code:
- Dominance of Houston as a significant economic hub.
- Steady population growth throughout Harris County and the surrounding areas.
- Expanding need for telephone services in commercial sectors such as energy, healthcare, and tourism.
Due to the large number of subscribers, overlay area codes 281, 832, and 346 now operate alongside 713 to serve the contiguous region efficiently.
Is the 713 Area Code Toll-Free?
The 713 area code is a geographic code and is not classified as toll-free. Calls made within the local coverage area may be considered local calls, depending on individual carrier plans. Long-distance charges may apply when dialing outside of local service boundaries. Subscribers are encouraged to review their service agreements to determine whether certain phone numbers or extended areas incur additional charges.
Special rules associated with the 713 area code include:
- Dialing local numbers typically requires 10-digit dialing, given the overlay codes in the region.
- Toll-free numbers in the United States begin with distinct three-digit prefixes such as 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, and similar variations.
- Business or government offices commonly keep separate lines or dedicated toll-free numbers for statewide or national access.
For more specifics on how geographic codes differ from toll-free codes, please consult the FCC’s information on telephone numbering resources.