What Is Area Code 971? (Portland, Oregon)

Area code 971 covers Portland and surrounding areas in Oregon. It was activated in 2000 as an overlay of area code 503. For the full picture, see all Oregon area codes.

Quick Facts: Area Code 971

State	Oregon
Primary city	Portland
Cities also served	Portland, Salem, Gresham, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Astoria, McMinnville, Newberg
Time zone	Pacific (UTC-8 / UTC-7 DST)
Year established	October 1, 2000
Original 1947 NPA?	No
Parent code	503
Overlay codes	503
Currently in use?	Yes, actively assigned
Ten-digit dialing required?	Yes

Cities Served by Area Code 971

Area code 971 serves Northwestern Oregon, including Portland metro, Salem, and the northern coast, including the following cities and communities:

• Portland
• Salem
• Gresham
• Hillsboro
• Beaverton
• Astoria
• McMinnville
• Newberg

Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 503, 541, 458.

How to Get a 971 Phone Number

There are three ways to get a phone number with the 971 area code, each suited to a different need:

1. Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 971 number directly, often with a one-time fee and ownership transferred to you (no recurring carrier fees). This is the option for picking a specific memorable number, or for getting an area code that most carriers won’t let you request. Browse our 971 inventory.
2. Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 971 number on request, especially for active overlay codes. You won’t usually get to pick the specific number, but you’ll get a working line in the area code. This is the cheapest option for anyone who doesn’t need a particular number.
3. Port an existing 971 number. If you already have a 971 phone number with another carrier, you can transfer it (port it) to a new service provider while keeping the number. This works for landlines, cell phones, and VoIP services, though landlines outside of Oregon sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 971 numbers due to 911 routing rules.

Looking for a 971 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 971 numbers for Portland, Oregon — choose your number, port it to any carrier in 3–5 business days, and pay a one-time fee with no monthly charges. Browse available 971 numbers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 971 area code still in use?
Yes. 971 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Northwestern Oregon, including Portland metro, Salem, and the northern coast.

What is the difference between 971 and 503?
Today they share the same geographic territory in Oregon. New phone lines in the area may be assigned either code. The two codes work identically for calling, billing, and service.

What is the parent area code of 971?
Area code 971 is an overlay of 503. Both codes serve the same region of Oregon.

Can I get a 971 number if I don't live in Oregon?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 971 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.

Is 971 a scam area code?
No. 971 is a legitimate, active area code for Northwestern Oregon, including Portland metro, Salem, and the northern coast. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 971 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Oregon businesses, government offices, and residents.

Is area code 971 the same area as 503?
Yes. Area code 971 is a full overlay of 503, meaning both codes cover the same geographic territory in northwestern Oregon. Any caller within the region may have either a 503 or 971 number.

When did 971 become active?
Area code 971 was put into service on October 1, 2000, initially as a partial overlay of 503. The overlay was extended to cover all of 503’s territory on April 27, 2008.

Do I need to dial 10 digits for local calls in the 971 area?
Yes. Because 971 overlays 503, ten-digit dialing (area code + 7-digit number) is mandatory for all local calls in northwestern Oregon.

Related Reading

• What States Have the Most Area Codes?
• Most Desirable Area Codes
• How Do Area Codes Work?
• How Are Area Codes Assigned?

See where it sits in the full US area code directory.