If you live in the United States or Canada, you’re probably familiar with area codes. They’re those three-digit numbers that kick off your phone number. They’re crucial to the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), acting as a kind of GPS for your phone calls.
Area codes tell the phone network which geographic region to route your call to, ensuring it gets to the right local exchange carrier (LEC) and, ultimately, the person you’re trying to reach.
So, what about the 903 area code? It’s located in the great state of Texas, covering a large chunk of the eastern part of the state. If you’re calling someone in that region, you’ll need to dial 903 first.
This article will give you the rundown on the 903 area code. We’ll explore its history, the demographics of the area it serves, the specific cities and counties that use it, and some other important details about telecommunications in that region. So, buckle up and get ready to dive into the world of the 903 area code!
The History of the 903 Area Code
Back in the day, the 214 area code covered a huge swath of Texas. But as more people moved in and the demand for phone numbers exploded, things got crowded. To solve the problem, in 1990, they created the 903 area code.
Originally, 903 encompassed most of East Texas. If your number was in that area and used to start with 214, it switched over to 903.
But guess what? The demand for phone numbers kept growing! So, the phone companies came up with a new trick called an “overlay.” Instead of splitting up an area geographically, they just added a whole new area code to the same region. That way, they could create even more unique phone numbers.
That’s how the 430 area code came to be. It “overlays” the 903 area, meaning that if you’re in East Texas, you might have a number with either a 903 or a 430 area code.
Since 1990, there haven’t been any major changes to the geographical boundaries of the 903 area code, but the addition of the 430 overlay has definitely changed the phone number landscape in the region.
Geographic Coverage: Cities and Counties in Area Code 903
Area code 903 covers a lot of ground, encompassing a wide swath of eastern Texas. Here’s a look at some of the cities and counties that fall within its boundaries.
Cities Served by Area Code 903
Area code 903 serves 161 cities, big and small. Some of the better-known cities in the 903 area include:
- Tyler
- Texarkana
- Longview
- Sherman
- Paris
- Mount Pleasant
- Marshall
Tyler, for example, serves as a regional hub for education, healthcare, and retail, making it a significant economic center in the region.
Counties Served by Area Code 903
In addition to its many cities, area code 903 also covers all or part of 31 counties. These counties stretch across eastern Texas and include:
- Smith County
- Bowie County
- Gregg County
- Grayson County
- Lamar County
- Titus County
- Harrison County
These counties collectively represent a diverse mix of urban and rural communities, each with its own unique character and economy.
Why Geographic Knowledge Matters
Knowing which cities and counties are located within area code 903 is essential for businesses looking to target specific regions. It’s also helpful for anyone trying to identify the location of a phone number or understand the geographic scope of a particular area code.
Demographics of Area Code 903
Area code 903, which covers a large swath of eastern Texas, is home to a diverse population. Here’s a look at the demographics of the region, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 data.
Population Overview
The total population residing within the 903 area code is 2,718,707. Population density varies quite a bit across the region, depending on whether you’re in a more urban or rural area.
Racial and Ethnic Composition
The racial and ethnic makeup of the 903 area code is as follows:
- White: 1,695,998
- Black: 326,873
- Hispanic: 206,320
- Asian: 23,205
- Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 2,348
- American Indian/Alaska Native: 23,205
Age and Household Information
The median age of the population in the 903 area code is 42.16 years. When broken down by gender, the median age for males is 40.81 years, while the median age for females is 43.23 years.
Here’s a little more household information:
- Total Housing Units: 1,106,536
- Total Households: 999,264
- Average Household Size: 2.66
- Average Family Size: 2.88
Telecommunications Infrastructure and Prefix Usage
The 903 area code is managed, along with all area codes in the North American Numbering Plan, by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator, or NANPA. NANPA oversees the assignment of prefixes, which are the first three digits after the area code in a 10-digit phone number.
Prefix Assignment
As of late 2023, there are 745 active prefixes in the 903 area code, along with 55 that are currently inactive.
Usage Type
The distribution of the 745 active prefixes breaks down this way:
- Landline prefixes: 525 (70.5%)
- Wireless prefixes: 216 (29.0%)
- Unknown type: 4 (0.54%)
This distribution of landline and wireless prefixes offers a glimpse into the telecommunications trends in the region. The fact that the vast majority of prefixes are still assigned to landlines shows that this area is still reliant on traditional landline telephone service, despite the increasing popularity of wireless communication.
Overlay Information
The 430 area code serves as an overlay to the 903 area code. What this means is that the 430 area code covers the same geographic region as the 903 area code. Overlays are used to increase the number of available phone numbers in a particular area when the existing area code is running out of numbers. In areas with overlay area codes, you must dial the area code plus the seven-digit number for all calls, even to local numbers.
Time zone and nearby area codes
If you’re calling someone in the 903 area code, it’s important to know what time it is there.
Time zone information
The 903 area code is in the Central Time Zone, which is GMT -06:00. Like most of the United States, the 903 area observes daylight saving time, so the time zone shifts to GMT -05:00 during the warmer months.
Nearby area codes
The 903 area code is surrounded by several other area codes, including:
- 214, 469, and 972 (the Dallas area)
- 817 (the Fort Worth area)
- 580 (Southern Oklahoma)
- 318 (Northwestern Louisiana)
So, if you’re calling from one of these areas, be sure to double-check the area code before dialing!
What’s the future of area code 903?
For the moment, there are no plans to add another area code or otherwise change the boundaries of the 903 area code. But here’s what could change in the future:
Number exhaustion projections
Currently, there are no plans to provide any kind of relief to the 903 area. But that could change.
As the population grows in northeastern Texas and the demand for wireless phone service increases, the existing supply of numbers could dry up. The Texas Public Utility Commission could step in with a plan to add a new area code.
Technological advancements
Newer technologies like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and the growing popularity of mobile devices are constantly changing the telecommunications landscape.
Potential future changes
To make sure there are enough phone numbers to go around, the Texas Public Utility Commission could decide to add an overlay to the 903 area code, or it could split the region into two separate area codes.
To Conclude
So, what’s the story with the 903 area code? It’s a little piece of Texas that covers a whole lot of ground — 161 cities and 31 counties, to be exact — and connects more than 2.7 million people. From its early days, the 903 has grown to become a vital part of the North American Numbering Plan.
Understanding area codes like 903 is more than just knowing where a call is coming from. It’s about understanding the demographics of a region, the businesses that thrive there, and the people who call it home. Area codes are essential for effective communication, targeted marketing, and a better grasp of the world around us.
In today’s interconnected world, area codes are a key to keeping us all connected. They are more than just three digits; they are a signpost to a place and its people. The 903 area code is no exception.