601 Area CodeJackson, MS
Area code 601 covers Jackson and nearby communities in Mississippi, in the Central Time (CT) zone, home to about 675,000 people across 137 cities. It overlays 228 and 769, so the region uses several codes and every local call needs all ten digits.
Overview
- Major City
- Jackson
- State
- Mississippi (MS)
- Timezone
- Central Time (CT)
- Current Time
- Overlay
- Yes – shares area with 228, 769
Overview of the 601 Area Code
What is the 601 area code?
The 601 area code serves Jackson, Mississippi, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 601 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 601 created?
The 601 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Jackson once the existing area codes 228 and 769 began to run out of available prefixes. It added a new supply of numbers without requiring current residents to change their existing digits.
Geographic Coverage of the 601 Area Code
The 601 area code serves Jackson and surrounding areas in Mississippi. It operates within the Central Time (CT) time zone. It complements the coverage of area codes 228 and 769. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Jackson
- Hattiesburg
- Meridian
- Pearl
- Madison
- Clinton
Got a call from a 601 number? It came from Jackson, MS. Since 601 overlays with 228 and 769, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 601, Jackson holds about 21% of the population; the rest is split across 136 smaller cities.
Jackson Area Codes Overview
Jackson is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 601 area code operates alongside 228, 769. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 601 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 601 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | MS | 141,449 | 1% | 100% |
| Hattiesburg | MS | 48,522 | 0% | 100% |
| Meridian | MS | 33,549 | 0% | 100% |
| Pearl | MS | 28,458 | 0% | 100% |
| Madison | MS | 28,210 | 0% | 100% |
| Clinton | MS | 26,617 | 0% | 100% |
| Brandon | MS | 25,870 | 0% | 100% |
| Ridgeland | MS | 24,576 | 0% | 100% |
| Vicksburg | MS | 20,032 | 0% | 100% |
| Laurel | MS | 17,508 | 0% | 100% |
* Sources: Population – U.S. Census Bureau PEP, Vintage 2024 (SUB-IP-EST2024-POP). Area code assignments – NANPA CO Code data. See our data methodology.
Has area code 601 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 445 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 601 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 55% robocalls
- ↓ 9% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other29%127
- Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)22%97
- Dropped call or no message20%91
* Caller ID is easily spoofed, so these figures reflect the number shown on caller ID, not the caller's true location – an area code alone never identifies a caller. The FTC does not verify the facts in these complaints. Source: FTC Do Not Call (DNC) Reported Calls Data, retrieved 2026-07-05.
Which prefixes and exchanges belong to area code 601?
78% assigned to a telco
- 71% Landline
- 29% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (601)200- | Landline | South Central Bell Tel |
| (601)201- | Wireless | New Cingular Wireless Pcs |
| (601)202- | Landline | At&T |
| (601)203- | Landline | Centurylink Communications |
| (601)204- | Landline | South Central Bell Tel |
| (601)206- | Landline | South Central Bell Tel |
| (601)207- | Landline | Onvoy |
| (601)208- | Landline | South Central Bell Tel |
| (601)209- | Wireless | New Cingular Wireless Pcs |
| (601)210- | Landline | Radiantiq |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 601 Area Code
Who called me from a 601 number?
A 601 number is assigned to Jackson, Mississippi, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 601 code to look nearby, so a 601 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 445 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 601 code (55% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 601 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 601 is a normal, officially assigned code for Jackson, Mississippi. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 601 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 445 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 601 code (55% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 601 area code?
Repeated calls from different 601 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 601 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 445 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 601 code (55% flagged as robocalls). Blocking one number rarely helps; voicemail screening, your carrier spam filter, and the Do Not Call Registry work better.
Should I answer an unknown 601 number?
If you aren't expecting a 601 call, let it ring to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, most robocallers hang up when no one picks up, and answering can mark your number as active and bring more calls.
How do I block calls from the 601 area code?
Block a single 601 number from your recent-calls list (iPhone: tap the number, then Block this Caller; Android: tap the number, then Block or report spam). To cut the volume, turn on Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone or spam protection on Android, enable spam filtering from your carrier, and register at DoNotCall.gov. Blocking the entire 601 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 601?
Area code 601 covers Jackson and the surrounding area in Mississippi, spanning 137 cities with about 674,654 residents. It shares its area with overlay codes 228, 769.
Is 601 a real area code?
Yes. 601 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Jackson, Mississippi. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 601 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 601 area code in?
The 601 area code is in the Central Time (CT). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 601 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 601 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 601 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 601 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.