The 551 area code is an overlay serving Hudson and Bergen counties in northeastern New Jersey, layered over the historic 201 code. Introduced in 2001 to supply new phone numbers for the densely populated region across from New York City, 551 covers the exact same territory as 201. If a 551 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 551 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 551 |
| State | New Jersey (NJ) |
| Major Cities | Jersey City, Hackensack, Bayonne, Fort Lee |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 201 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 551 covers Hudson and Bergen counties in the northeast corner of New Jersey, opposite Manhattan. Because it is an overlay, it shares the identical footprint of the 201 area code rather than covering a separate zone.
- Jersey City – the second-largest city in New Jersey
- Hackensack & Bayonne – major Bergen and Hudson County cities
- Fort Lee & Englewood – communities near the George Washington Bridge
- Union City & Hoboken – dense Hudson County cities
As the newer code over northeastern New Jersey, 551 numbers are common among lines set up after the original 201 numbers grew scarce.
A Brief History of Area Code 551
Area code 551 was activated in 2001 as an all-services overlay on the 201 region. The 201 code was the first area code ever assigned, in 1947. An overlay adds a second area code across the same geographic area, so existing 201 customers kept their numbers while new lines could be assigned either code, under mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 551 area code use Eastern Time (ET). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from EST (UTC-5) to EDT (UTC-4) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 551
Because 551 shares its region under an overlay, the area requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Include the area code – 551-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-551-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 551 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 551 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 551 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 551 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 551 is a legitimate New Jersey area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 551, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted local 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 |
| Utility shut-off threats | Fake PSE&G disconnection demands |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a failed delivery with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 551 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 New Jersey
Area code 551 shares and borders several other New Jersey codes:
- 201 – the historic Hudson and Bergen code that 551 overlays (see our 201 area code guide)
- 973 & 862 – the Newark, Essex, and Passaic area to the west (see our 973 area code guide)
- 908 – central-northern New Jersey to the southwest (see our 908 area code guide)
- 732 & 848 – central New Jersey and the shore to the south (see our 732 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our New Jersey 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 New Jersey:
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 551
Where is the 551 area code located?
Area code 551 covers Hudson and Bergen counties in northeastern New Jersey as an overlay of the 201 code. It operates on Eastern Time.
What is the difference between 551 and 201?
There is no geographic difference. 551 overlays the exact same Hudson and Bergen territory as 201; it was added in 2001 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 551 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 551 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout northeastern New Jersey.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 551 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 551 Guides
- Is a 551 call safe? Read Is area code 551 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.