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Where is the 985 Area Code?
The 985 area code is located in southeastern Louisiana, United States, and was created in 2001 as a split from the 504 area code. It serves as a regional overlay and includes major cities such as Houma, Slidell, and Hammond, covering urban centers, suburban communities, and smaller towns to support local communication across southeastern Louisiana.
Key Locations within the 985 Area Code:
- Major Cities & Communities: Houma, Laplace, Slidell, Hammond, Bayou Cane, Thibodaux, Morgan City, Bayou Blue, Bogalusa, Luling, Mandeville, Destrehan, Raceland, Reserve, Covington
- Parishes (Partial or Complete Coverage): St. Tammany, Jefferson, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Charles, Washington, St. John the Baptist, Assumption, St. Martin, St. Mary, Plaquemines, St. Helena

Time Zone
The 985 area code, covering southeastern Louisiana including Houma, Slidell, and Hammond, is in the Central Time Zone (CT). The region observes Central Standard Time (CST, UTC−6) during the winter months and switches to Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5) for daylight saving time in the summer.
About the 985 Area Code in Louisiana
The 985 area code was introduced in February 2001 and serves southeastern Louisiana, covering the Northshore and Bayou regions, including key cities such as Slidell, Covington, and Houma. This region plays an important role in southeastern Louisiana’s economy, supported by industries such as energy, maritime services, and healthcare.
The area is economically connected to the broader New Orleans–Metairie–Slidell regional economy, which has reported a combined GDP exceeding $90 billion in recent years, making it an important center for business and employment in Louisiana.
Key Economic Sectors in the 985 Region:
- Oil & Gas/Petrochemicals: Performance Energy Services, Offshore Energy Svc. Inc.
- Maritime & Shipbuilding: Bollinger Shipyards, Edison Chouest Offshore, Gulf Island Fabrication
- Healthcare: Terrebonne General Health System, Cardiovascular Institute of the South
- Education & Regional Employers: Southeastern Louisiana University, Nicholls State University
History of Area Code 509
The 985 area code was introduced on February 12, 2001, when it was split from the 504 area code to meet the growing demand for phone numbers in southeastern Louisiana. It originally covered a wide region outside New Orleans, including communities such as Houma, Slidell, Covington, and Hammond.
In 2007, a boundary adjustment occurred after Hurricane Katrina, when some areas in Plaquemines Parish that had briefly been part of 985 reverted back to the 504 area code due to damage to local switching facilities. Today, 985 continues to serve southeastern Louisiana’s Northshore and Bayou regions, providing a distinct local identity for communications across the area.
Search Virtual Numbers with 985 Area Code
Explore through a variety of virtual numbers with the 985 area code on Calilio. Find your perfect Houma phone number.
Some numbers require ID and address verification under local laws. Certain numbers also require A2P 10DLC registration to send SMS or MMS to the United States. Moreover, some numbers may not appear in this search because they are not generally offered to customers and are available only on request. Please Contact Support for assistance.

How Does a 985 Phone Number Work for Your Business?
A 985 phone number helps your business establish a local presence in southeastern Louisiana, covering areas such as Houma, Hammond, and Covington. It allows companies to connect with customers across the Northshore and Bayou regions using landlines, mobile phones, or VoIP systems without requiring a dedicated physical office.
In the 985 region, local calls within the same area code can be dialed using the full 10‑digit number (area code + phone number), and long‑distance calls within the U.S. are made by adding a leading 1 before the 10‑digit number (for example, 1‑985‑555‑XXXX). International callers can reach local numbers by dialing their country’s exit code, followed by the U.S. country code 1 and the 985 number.
Major carriers operate in the 985 region, including BellSouth, Level 3, Deltacom, Sprint, Cingular, and Verizon. At the same time, businesses can select local 985 numbers by using VoIP and virtual phone services like Calilio, taking advantage of features such as auto-attendant, call forwarding, and IVR. This helps businesses to maintain a strong local presence across southeastern Louisiana.

Nearby Area Code
Key Features of a 985 Area Code Virtual Phone Number
How to Get a 985 Area Code Phone Number?
You can obtain a 985 area code number from a virtual phone provider. Simply register with Calilio and complete the setup process.
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Create an account on Calilio & log in to your dashboard.
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Navigate to the left sidebar & click the plus symbol (+) located next to the Number section.
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You will land on the My Number page; select the United States as the country for a 985 area code number.
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Select the Number Type and then choose the Capabilities (SMS, Voice, MMS).
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Scroll down, select an available number from the list, and click the "Add to Cart" button.
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In the final step, enter your name and click Confirm Purchase from the cart to complete payment and activate your virtual number.
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Benefits of a 985 Area Code for Businesses
A Louisiana phone number with the 985 area code allows you to establish a local presence in Houma and make you business globally accessible.
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