The 361 area code serves the Coastal Bend of South Texas, centered on Corpus Christi and stretching along the Gulf Coast and inland ranch country. Created in 1999 in a split from Austin’s 512 code, it is a geographic area code covering Gulf beaches, port cities, and South Texas towns. If a 361 number has appeared on your caller ID, this guide explains where it comes from, how to dial it, and how to stay safe from spoofed calls.
Quick Summary: Area Code 361 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 361 |
| State | Texas (TX) |
| Major Cities | Corpus Christi, Victoria, Kingsville, Alice |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | None (standalone) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 361 covers the Coastal Bend region of South Texas, including Nueces, Victoria, San Patricio, Kleberg, Jim Wells, and Bee counties. It runs along the central Gulf Coast and reaches inland into South Texas ranch country.
Cities and communities served by the 361 area code include:
- Corpus Christi – the largest city in the region, a major Gulf port and beach destination
- Victoria – the commercial hub of the Crossroads area to the northeast
- Kingsville – home of Texas A&M University-Kingsville and the historic King Ranch
- Alice, Beeville & Portland – established South Texas communities
From the beaches of the Gulf to the vast ranches of South Texas, a 361 number reflects the coastal and rural character of the Coastal Bend.
A Brief History of Area Code 361
Area code 361 was created in 1999 in a geographic split from the 512 code, which had been shrinking as San Antonio and Austin grew. The new code took in the Corpus Christi area and the Coastal Bend. Because it serves a largely non-metropolitan region, 361 has never required an overlay and still covers its territory on a single area code.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 361 area code use Central Time (CT). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from CST (UTC-6) to CDT (UTC-5) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 361
Because 361 has no overlay, both 7-digit and 10-digit local dialing have historically worked, but 10-digit dialing is now the recommended standard across the United States.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Include the area code – 361-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-361-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 361 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 361 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 361 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 361 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 361 is a legitimate Texas area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 361, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted Coastal Bend line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics the first six digits of your own number, is especially common.
Common scam tactics linked to this region
| Scam type | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| Government impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS or SSA threatening arrest or fines |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of “suspicious activity” seeking your account details |
| Storm & disaster relief scams | Bogus repair or FEMA-related appeals after Gulf Coast hurricanes |
| Utility shut-off threats | Demands for immediate payment to avoid disconnection |
How to report, block, and look up 361 callers
- Never share personal or financial details with an unexpected caller, however urgent they sound.
- Block the number using your phone’s built-in call-blocking feature or a reputable call-screening app.
- Look up the number with a trusted reverse phone lookup before returning any call.
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at DoNotCall.gov.
Nearby & Related Area Codes in Texas
Area code 361 borders several other Texas codes:
- 210 & 726 – San Antonio to the northwest (see our 210 area code guide)
- 979 – the Brazos Valley and upper Gulf Coast to the northeast (see our 979 area code guide)
- 512 & 737 – Austin, from which 361 split in 1999 (see our 512 area code guide)
- 956 – the Rio Grande Valley and deep South Texas to the south
Explore more codes across the state on our Texas area codes hub, or browse every prefix in our US area codes directory.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State – every area code across all 50 states in one directory.
Explore Neighboring States
Researching area codes just across the state line? Start with these codes in the states that border Texas:
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 361
Where is the 361 area code located?
Area code 361 covers the Coastal Bend of South Texas, including Corpus Christi, Victoria, Kingsville, and Alice. It operates on Central Time and split from area code 512 in 1999.
Does the 361 area code have an overlay?
No. Because it serves a largely non-metropolitan region, 361 has never needed an overlay and still covers its entire territory on a single area code.
Is 361 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 361 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout the Coastal Bend.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 361 number?
If you are not expecting the call, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, while spoofed or robocall numbers usually will not. Verify any unfamiliar number with a reverse lookup before calling back.
Related 361 Guides
- Is a 361 call safe? Read Is area code 361 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Corpus Christi area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.