201 Area Code: The History, Location, and Safety Guide to NJ’s Iconic First Code

The 201 Area Code is a piece of telecom history. It is widely recognized as the first US area code ever assigned in 1947, and today it anchors the northeastern New Jersey side of the New York City metro—home to Jersey City, Hoboken, Hackensack, Bayonne, and other high‑density communities just across the Hudson River from Manhattan.wikipedia+2​

For residents, 201 is a local badge of identity. For businesses, it is a strategic way to tap into the NYC metro market without paying Manhattan rents. At the same time, scammers frequently spoof 201 numbers, so understanding how this code works—and how to protect yourself—is essential.

What Is the 201 Area Code?

The 201 area code is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) and primarily serves northeastern New Jersey, including much of Hudson and Bergen counties.allareacodes+2​

From Statewide Code to Northeast Focus

• 1947 – Original assignment
  • 201 was assigned as the first US area code and originally covered the entire state of New Jersey.reddit+3​
• 1950s–1990s – Multiple splits
  • Demand for phone numbers led to several splits that carved new New Jersey area codes out of 201’s territory—such as 609, 908, and 973.wikipedia+2​
  • Each split reduced 201’s footprint until it was focused on the northeastern corner of the state, adjacent to New York City.
• 2001 – 551 overlay introduced
  • With growth in mobile phones and business lines, 201 neared exhaustion.
  • The 551 area code was added as an overlay, sharing the same geography instead of splitting the region again.sent+2​
  • From December 2001 onward, 10‑digit dialing (area code + number) became mandatory for local calls in the 201/551 region.sent

Today, 201 and 551 function as a twin code pair for the same territory: 201 is the historic, prestige code; 551 is its newer partner providing additional number capacity.dialpad+2​

Geographic Coverage: Where Does 201 Apply?

The 201 area code covers key parts of northeastern New Jersey, directly across the Hudson River from Manhattan.phone2+2​

Core Counties

According to numbering-plan data, 201/551 cover most of:allareacodes+2​

• Hudson County – dense, urban, and directly facing Manhattan
• Bergen County – one of the most affluent and populous suburban counties in the US

Major Cities and Towns in 201

Notable municipalities that commonly use 201 numbers include:sideline+3​

• Jersey City – major financial and residential center with direct PATH and ferry connections to NYC
• Hoboken – high‑density waterfront city known for commuting into Manhattan
• Hackensack – Bergen County seat and a key regional service/medical hub
• Bayonne – port and residential city along the Kill Van Kull
• Fort Lee, Englewood, Secaucus, Union City, and others in the Hudson–Bergen corridor

All of this region lies in the Eastern Time Zone (ET), aligned with New York City’s time.allareacodes+1​

Is the 201 Area Code a Scam?

The 201 area code itself is 100% legitimate. It is a long‑standing code serving real residents and businesses in northeastern New Jersey.wikipedia+2​

However, the video correctly highlights that scammers frequently spoof 201 numbers to impersonate local businesses or nearby residents. This practice, known as “neighborhood spoofing,” makes calls look like they are coming from “just down the street” to increase the chances you will answer.youtube​ajoxi+1​

Caller ID Spoofing With 201

Scammers use internet‑based systems to fake caller ID and show a 201 number, sometimes even matching the first few digits of your own number (same prefix), to appear hyper‑local.ajoxi+1​

Common patterns include:

• Calls pretending to be utility companies, cable/internet providers, or local shops.
• Robocalls offering “limited‑time” deals, debt relief, or extended warranties.
• “Can you hear me?” scams designed to record you saying “yes” to misuse later.ajoxi​

How to Handle Suspicious 201 Calls

When you see a 201 number you do not recognize:

• Do not trust caller ID alone
  • Spoofing means the number on screen may not belong to the caller.reddit+1​
• Be careful with “Yes” and personal details
  • Avoid answering leading questions like “Can you hear me?” with a clear “yes,” and never share sensitive data (SSN, bank info, one‑time codes).
• Verify independently
  • If the caller claims to be from a known company, hang up and call back using the number on the company’s official website or your bill.ajoxi​
• Use spam filters and blocking apps
  • Many carriers and apps can detect and block known spam, including spoofed New Jersey area codes.reddit+1​

In short, 201 is not a scam, but spoofed 201 calls are common. Treat unknown calls carefully, even when they look local.

Why Your Business Needs a 201 Number

For organizations serving the NYC metro while based on the New Jersey side, a 201 number is strategically valuable.

1. Proximity to Manhattan With NJ Costs

• Northeastern New Jersey sits minutes from Midtown and Lower Manhattan via PATH, ferries, tunnels, and bridges.
• A Jersey City phone number in 201 lets you signal “NYC metro” presence while often benefiting from lower operating costs than Manhattan itself.phone2​

2. Prestige of the First US Area Code

• 201 is widely known as the first US area code, which gives it a distinctive, legacy feel.reddit+2​
• For tech firms, agencies, consultancies, and professional services, using the first US area code can subtly reinforce longevity, seriousness, and connection to a major economic region.

3. Local Trust and Higher Answer Rates

• Customers in Hudson and Bergen counties recognize 201 instantly.
• Local numbers typically see better pickup rates than distant or toll‑free numbers, especially for service providers (medical, legal, trades, delivery, real estate).

4. Perfect for Virtual and Hybrid Teams

• With VoIP, a 201 number can ring phones anywhere—NJ, NYC, or fully remote.
• This allows startups and distributed teams to operate globally while maintaining an authentic New Jersey / NYC metro contact point.

How to Get a 201 Area Code Number

Because 201 is mature and in high demand, availability can be tight. There are two main routes: traditional carriers and VoIP/cloud providers.

Option 1: Through Traditional Carriers

If you are physically located in the 201/551 territory:

1. Check your address
   • Ensure your service address is within Hudson or Bergen counties or another exchange recognized for 201/551.allareacodes+1​
2. Contact your carrier
   • Call Verizon, AT&T, T‑Mobile, or your local provider.
   • Request a 201 area code number for a new line or a number change.
3. Be prepared for 551
   • Due to the 551 overlay, some carriers may only have 551 numbers available for new activations, while 201 is reserved or limited.allareacodes+2​
4. Confirm any fees
   • Number changes or vanity numbers may incur a fee.

Option 2: Through VoIP and Cloud Phone Providers

For many businesses (especially remote or multi‑office), VoIP is the best way to get a 201 number:

1. Select a VoIP platform
   • Common choices:
     • RingCentral
     • Google Voice (for business)
     • OpenPhone
     • Zoom Phone, 8×8, Sideline, Phone2, etc.callhippo+2​
2. Search for 201 numbers
   • Use the provider’s search tool to filter by “201” or cities like Jersey City, Hoboken, Hackensack, or Bayonne.
3. Reserve and assign your number
   • Assign it to:
     • Main business line
     • Sales or support queues
     • Key team members or departments
4. Configure call flows
   • Set up IVR menus, call forwarding, voicemail, business hours, and call recording as needed.
5. Integrate with your brand
   • Publish your 201 number on your website, Google Business Profile, email signatures, and marketing materials as your primary Jersey City phone number or New Jersey area code contact.

VoIP platforms often provide more flexible 201 and 551 overlay options than traditional carriers, especially if you are not physically located in New Jersey.

FAQ: Common Questions About the 201 Area Code

1. What city is area code 201?
   The 201 area code primarily serves northeastern New Jersey, including major cities like Jersey City, Hoboken, Hackensack, Bayonne, Fort Lee, and Secaucus, across Hudson and Bergen counties.sideline+3​
2. Is 201 a New York code?
   No. 201 is a New Jersey area code, not a New York City code. It covers the NJ side of the Hudson River, directly across from Manhattan. NYC itself uses codes like 212, 646, 332, 917, 718, 347, and 929.wikipedia+2​
3. What is the time zone for 201?
   All numbers in the 201 area code are in the Eastern Time Zone (ET), following Eastern Standard Time (EST) and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), the same as New York City.allareacodes+1​
4. Is 201 a scam?
   No. 201 is a legitimate, historic area code for northeastern New Jersey. However, scammers often spoof 201 numbers to impersonate local residents or businesses. Always verify suspicious calls independently and avoid sharing sensitive information with unknown callers.youtube​reddit+1​
5. What is the 551 overlay?
   The 551 overlay is a second area code covering the same geographic region as 201. It was added in 2001 to expand number capacity. Both 201 and 551 are local to the same NJ region, and 10‑digit dialing is required for all calls within and between them.allareacodes+2​

The 201 area code combines unique historical status as the first US area code with a prime position in the NYC metro area. For individuals, recognizing 201 helps you better understand and screen calls. For businesses, especially those targeting the New York–New Jersey market, a 201 number offers local trust, strategic branding, and a powerful connection to one of the most economically active corridors in the country.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_codes_201_and_551
2. https://www.sent.dm/resources/area-code-201
3. https://www.phone2.io/area-codes/201
4. https://www.allareacodes.com/201
5. https://www.reddit.com/r/newjersey/comments/gstn2u/til_that_area_code_201_was_the_first_area_code/
6. https://www.lincmad.com/table1947.html
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_New_Jersey_area_codes
8. https://www.allareacodes.com/551
9. https://www.dialpad.com/uk/features/local-phone-numbers/551-area-code/
10. https://www.allareacodes.com/new_jersey_area_codes.htm
11. https://www.sideline.com/get-a-201-area-code-sideline-by-pinger/
12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=336haYCqnXU
13. https://www.ajoxi.com/blog/201-area-code/
14. https://www.reddit.com/r/newjersey/comments/1aeabh2/practically_everyone_with_a_phone_has_experienced/
15. https://callhippo.com/blog/general/201-area-code