The 985 area code serves the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain and the bayou country of southeastern Louisiana, including Houma, Hammond, and Slidell. Created in 2001 when it split from 504, 985 wraps around the New Orleans metro to the north and southwest.
Quick Summary of the 985 Area Code
| Area Code | 985 |
| State | Louisiana (LA) |
| Region | Northshore & Southeast Louisiana (Houma & Hammond) |
| Major Cities | Houma, Hammond, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Thibodaux, Morgan City, Bogalusa |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 985 area code covers southeastern Louisiana outside the New Orleans core, including the St. Tammany Parish Northshore cities of Slidell, Mandeville, and Covington on the north side of Lake Pontchartrain, Hammond and Bogalusa to the north, and the bayou region of Houma, Thibodaux, and Morgan City to the southwest. It surrounds the 504 area code on multiple sides.
Time Zone
The 985 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 Louisiana 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 985 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 985 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 985 Number
Area code 985 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 (985 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 985, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 985 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 985 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Houma, Hammond, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Thibodaux, Morgan City, Bogalusa should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Threatening calls demanding immediate tax payment via gift cards or wire transfer. |
| Utility Shut-off | Impostors claiming to be Entergy or Cleco threatening to cut power. |
| Storm Repair Scam | Fake contractors demanding upfront payment for hurricane or flood damage repairs. |
| Prize / Lottery Scam | Calls saying you won a prize but must pay a “fee” or “tax” to claim it. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 985 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 Louisiana 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 (Entergy, SWEPCO, or Cleco) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 985 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 985 Region
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Area code 985 was created in 2001, split from 504, to serve the Northshore and the bayou parishes of southeastern Louisiana. The regional economy has two distinct centers. The St. Tammany Northshore – Slidell, Mandeville, and Covington – has grown rapidly as a suburban bedroom community for New Orleans commuters, connected by the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. To the southwest, the Houma-Thibodaux area is a hub for the offshore oil-and-gas services industry, shipbuilding, and commercial seafood, especially shrimp, while Hammond is home to Southeastern Louisiana University and Morgan City anchors the lower Atchafalaya energy and fishing economy.
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Looking Up a 985 Number
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To identify a 985 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, energy-service companies, and government offices across southeastern Louisiana publish their 985 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, while robocallers and scammers rarely do.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Louisiana is served by five area codes. If you are researching 985, these neighboring codes are worth knowing:
- 504 – Greater New Orleans
- 225 – Baton Rouge Metro
- 337 – Southwest LA / Lafayette & Lake Charles
- 318 – Northern & Central LA / Shreveport
You can also browse our full directory of Louisiana 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 Louisiana:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 985 area code located?
The 985 area code covers the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain and southeastern Louisiana, including Houma, Hammond, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Thibodaux, and Morgan City.
Does 985 have an overlay?
No. The 985 area code covers southeastern Louisiana on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 985?
Because 985 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 985 area code in?
The 985 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like all of Louisiana.
Related 985 Guides
- Is a 985 call safe? Read Is area code 985 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Houma area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.