Where is Area Code 936?
Area Code 936 serves a significant portion of East Texas, predominantly covering the following counties and municipalities:
- Conroe (Montgomery County)
- Huntsville (Walker County)
- Nacogdoches (Nacogdoches County)
- Lufkin (Angelina County)
- Cleveland (Liberty County)
It also extends into nearby rural communities and is recognized throughout the region for standard landline and mobile services. In alignment with the guidelines set by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC), 1701 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701, Area Code 936 is designated to meet growing telecommunication needs in areas where rapid population shifts and business expansion necessitate additional numbering resources.
What Time Zone Is 936 Area Code in the USA?
The 936 Area Code is situated within the Central Time Zone (CT). This zone observes Daylight Saving Time (DST), which typically begins on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November. Specific scheduling related to DST can be found in the daylight saving time guidelines published by the federal government.
- Standard Time: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) – 6 hours
- Daylight Saving: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) – 5 hours
During the DST period, telephone carriers aligned with the 936 region update local systems to reflect the one-hour time shift, ensuring call logs and billing processes remain accurate.
History of the 936 Area Code
Area Code 936 was established in the early 2000s after a split from Area Code 409. The decision to introduce a new area code was influenced by several factors, including the need to accommodate:
- An increasing volume of telephone users relocating to East Texas
- Growth in wireless communication devices, such as cellular phones and pagers
- Expansion of internet-based businesses requiring dedicated lines
In cooperation with the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), the 46000 Center Oak Plaza, Sterling, VA 20166, state and federal agencies determined that creating Area Code 936 would minimize potential numbering shortages. This approach ensured continued availability of numbers without overburdening existing infrastructure.
Over the years, public notices were issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554, to inform residents and businesses of any developments, including potential overlays or future realignments that could affect dialing procedures. However, the option of an overlay approach was not immediately adopted at the time of 936’s inception. Instead, it was decided that splitting 409 offered a more direct solution to address the rapid population increase in and around East Texas.
How Many People Use the 936 Area Code?
Available data from the PUC indicates that Area Code 936 covers a substantial swath of the East Texas population. While exact numbers vary due to population changes, estimations suggest that hundreds of thousands of residents, businesses, and government offices in:
- Montgomery County
- Walker County
- Angelina County
- Nacogdoches County
are assigned telephone numbers within this area code.
According to comprehensive area code data compiled by the Federal Communications Commission, service providers frequently request additional blocks of numbers to serve both landlines and mobile systems. These consistent demands underscore the growth of Area Code 936 in parallel with regional economic expansion.
Below is a simplified table demonstrating approximate coverage by county:
| County Name | Approximate Population Coverage |
|---|---|
| Montgomery | 600,000+ |
| Walker | 70,000+ |
| Angelina | 85,000+ |
| Nacogdoches | 65,000+ |
These figures are subject to ongoing revisions as new lines are activated or deactivated. Additionally, certain unincorporated areas may push the total user count even higher.
Is the 936 Area Code Toll-Free?
The 936 Area Code is designated as a geographic area code. It is not part of the toll-free telephone numbering system (i.e., the 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, or 833 prefixes). Calls placed to a 936 number:
- May be billed as local or long-distance, depending on the caller’s location and service plan
- Are not automatically free of charge
- Are subject to the calling party’s carrier rates or agreements
As such, businesses and residents should be aware that calls can incur standard charges if dialed from beyond the local coverage scope. For up-to-date information regarding cost structures and regulations, please refer to the public utility commission guidelines provided by the PUC.
In summary, Area Code 936 continues to meet regional calling needs and remains a critical part of Texas’s comprehensive telecommunication framework, as administered through local, state, and federal agencies.