The 601 area code serves central and southern Mississippi, anchored by the state capital of Jackson. One of the original area codes assigned in 1947, 601 once covered the entire state and now shares its central and southern footprint with the 769 overlay.
Quick Summary of the 601 Area Code
| Area Code | 601 |
| State | Mississippi (MS) |
| Region | Central & Southern Mississippi (Jackson Metro) |
| Major Cities | Jackson, Hattiesburg, Meridian, Laurel, Vicksburg, Clinton, Pearl, Brookhaven |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Geographic Coverage
The 601 area code covers central and southern Mississippi, centered on Jackson and its suburbs of Clinton and Pearl, and extending south to Hattiesburg and Laurel, east to Meridian, west to the Mississippi River city of Vicksburg, and south to Brookhaven. It is bordered by the 662 region to the north and the 228 Gulf Coast region to the south.
Time Zone
The 601 area code observes Central Time (CT). Clocks follow Central Standard Time (UTC−6) in winter and shift to Central Daylight Time (UTC−5) from mid-March through early November. All of Mississippi is on Central Time. From the West Coast, this region is two hours ahead of Pacific Time, so a 9:00 AM call in California reaches a 601 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 601 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 601 Number
Because area code 601 operates as part of an overlay, 10-digit dialing is mandatory for every local and long-distance call. You must dial the full 10-digit number (601 + the seven-digit line number) even when calling a neighbor across the street. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 601, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 601 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 601 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Jackson, Hattiesburg, Meridian, Laurel, Vicksburg, Clinton, Pearl, Brookhaven should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Callers claiming you owe back taxes and threatening arrest unless you pay immediately. |
| Utility Shut-off | Fake Entergy Mississippi reps demanding payment to avoid disconnection. |
| Storm Repair Scam | Fake contractors demanding upfront payment for tornado or storm damage repairs. |
| Bank Fraud Alerts | Robocalls impersonating your bank about “suspicious activity” to phish account details. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 601 number, take these steps to protect yourself:
- Do not share personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords over the phone.
- Hang up and verify by calling the organization back using an official number from its website.
- Report the call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the Mississippi Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
- Block the number and consider registering with the National Do Not Call Registry.
Red Flag: Legitimate agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or your local utility company (Entergy Mississippi or Mississippi Power) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 601 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 601 Region
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Area code 601 is one of the original 86 codes established in 1947, and it once covered all of Mississippi before 228 (1997) and 662 (1999) were split off. As demand grew, the 769 overlay was added in 2004 across the same central and southern territory. Jackson anchors the regional economy as the state capital and largest city, a center for government, banking, and healthcare led by the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Hattiesburg is home to the University of Southern Mississippi and Camp Shelby, Meridian hosts a naval air station and manufacturing, Vicksburg draws visitors to its Civil War military park and riverboat casinos, and Laurel has gained national fame through the HGTV series “Home Town.”
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Looking Up a 601 Number
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To identify a 601 caller, use a reverse phone lookup service or search the full 10-digit number online. Many Jackson businesses, government offices, and healthcare providers list their 601 numbers publicly, so a quick search often confirms a legitimate caller. For unknown numbers, let the call go to voicemail – genuine callers usually leave a detailed voicemail message, whereas robocallers and automated scam calls almost never bother to do so.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Mississippi is served by four area codes. If you are researching 601, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 769 – Central & Southern MS overlay (same region)
- 662 – Northern Mississippi / Tupelo & Southaven
- 228 – Mississippi Gulf Coast / Biloxi & Gulfport
You can also browse our full directory of Mississippi area codes for more regional guides.
↑ 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 Mississippi:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 601 area code located?
The 601 area code covers central and southern Mississippi, including Jackson, Hattiesburg, Meridian, Laurel, Vicksburg, Clinton, Pearl, and Brookhaven.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 601?
Yes. Because 601 shares an overlay with the 769 area code, you must dial all 10 digits for every local call.
What time zone is the 601 area code in?
The 601 area code is in the Central Time Zone (CST/CDT), like all of Mississippi.
Is 601 the same area as 769?
Yes. 769 is an overlay of 601, so both codes serve the exact same central and southern Mississippi region.
Related 601 Guides
- Is a 601 call safe? Read Is area code 601 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Jackson area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.