The 731 area code serves rural West Tennessee, the region between Memphis and the Tennessee River. Created in 2001 when it split from 901, 731 is anchored by the regional hub city of Jackson and stretches across the farmland and small cities of the northwest corner of the state.
Quick Summary of the 731 Area Code
| Area Code | 731 |
| State | Tennessee (TN) |
| Region | West Tennessee (Jackson & the Mississippi Delta) |
| Major Cities | Jackson, Dyersburg, Union City, Martin, Brownsville, Milan, Humboldt, Paris |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 731 area code covers the western third of Tennessee outside the Memphis metro, centered on Jackson in the middle. It reaches Dyersburg and Union City to the northwest near the Mississippi River, Martin and Paris to the north, Milan and Humboldt in the center, and Brownsville to the southwest. It borders Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi across this Mid-South farming region.
Time Zone
The 731 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. Because Tennessee straddles two time zones, note that this region runs one hour behind eastern Tennessee (Knoxville and Chattanooga). From the West Coast, this area is two hours ahead of Pacific Time, so a 9:00 AM call in California reaches a 731 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 731 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 731 Number
Area code 731 is not part of an overlay, so it has traditionally allowed 7-digit local dialing. However, 10-digit dialing is now the recommended nationwide standard, and dialing the full 10-digit number (731 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 731, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 731 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 731 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Jackson, Dyersburg, Union City, Martin, Brownsville, Milan, Humboldt, Paris 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 utility reps demanding instant payment to keep your power on. |
| Farm / Equipment Scam | Fraudulent online listings for tractors or equipment aimed at rural buyers. |
| Bank Fraud Alerts | Robocalls impersonating your bank about “suspicious activity” to phish account details. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 731 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 Tennessee Attorney General’s Office.
- 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 will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 731 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 731 Region
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Area code 731 was created in 2001, split from 901, to serve rural West Tennessee as the Memphis code approached exhaustion. The regional economy is rooted in agriculture and manufacturing. The fertile land of the Mississippi Delta and the West Tennessee plain produces cotton, soybeans, and corn, while Jackson serves as the commercial, medical, and educational hub of the region – home to West Tennessee Healthcare and several colleges. The University of Tennessee at Martin anchors the northern part of the region, and distribution, food processing, and light manufacturing provide employment across the smaller cities of Dyersburg, Union City, and Milan.
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Looking Up a 731 Number
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To identify a 731 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, hospitals, and colleges across West Tennessee publish their 731 numbers, so a legitimate caller is often easy to confirm with a quick search. For unknown numbers, let the call go to voicemail – genuine callers usually leave a message.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Tennessee is served by several area codes. If you are researching 731, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
You can also browse our full directory of Tennessee 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 Tennessee:
- Kentucky – area code 502
- Virginia – area code 804
- North Carolina – area code 704
- Georgia – area code 404
- Alabama – area code 205
- Mississippi – area code 601
- Arkansas – area code 501
- Missouri – area code 314
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 731 area code located?
The 731 area code covers rural West Tennessee outside Memphis, centered on Jackson and including Dyersburg, Union City, Martin, Milan, and Brownsville.
Does 731 have an overlay?
No. The 731 area code covers its West Tennessee region on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 731?
Because 731 has no overlay, 7-digit local dialing has historically worked, but dialing the full 10 digits is now the recommended standard and always works.
What time zone is the 731 area code in?
The 731 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like Memphis and the rest of West Tennessee.
Related 731 Guides
- Is a 731 call safe? Read Is area code 731 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.