The 989 area code serves central and northeastern Michigan, covering Saginaw, Bay City, Midland, and Mount Pleasant. Created in 2001 in a split from Lansing’s 517 code, it is a geographic area code for the Saginaw Valley and the northern Lower Peninsula. If a 989 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 989 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 989 |
| State | Michigan (MI) |
| Major Cities | Saginaw, Bay City, Midland, Mount Pleasant |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | None (standalone) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 989 covers central and northeastern Michigan, including Saginaw, Bay, Midland, Isabella, Gratiot, and Alpena counties. It spans the Saginaw Valley up to the northern Lower Peninsula.
- Saginaw & Bay City – the largest cities of the Saginaw Valley
- Midland – home of Dow Chemical
- Mount Pleasant – home of Central Michigan University
- Alma, Gaylord & Alpena – established central and northern communities
From chemical and manufacturing hubs to college towns and northern forests, a 989 number is closely tied to the identity of central and northern Michigan.
A Brief History of Area Code 989
Area code 989 was created in 2001 in a split from the 517 code, taking the Saginaw Valley and the northern Lower Peninsula counties. Because it serves a largely non-metropolitan region, 989 has never required an overlay and still covers its territory on a single area code.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 989 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 989
Because 989 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 – 989-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-989-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 989 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 989 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 989 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 989 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 989 is a legitimate Michigan area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 989, 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 |
| Student & scholarship scams | Fake tuition or financial-aid calls targeting Central Michigan University students |
| Utility shut-off threats | Fake Consumers Energy disconnection demands |
How to report, block, and look up 989 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 Michigan
Area code 989 shares and borders several other Michigan codes:
- 517 – the Lansing area to the south, from which 989 split (see our 517 area code guide)
- 810 & 679 – the Flint area and the Thumb to the southeast (see our 810 area code guide)
- 616 – Grand Rapids and West Michigan to the southwest (see our 616 area code guide)
- 906 – the Upper Peninsula to the north (see our 906 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Michigan 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 Michigan:
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 989
Where is the 989 area code located?
Area code 989 covers central and northeastern Michigan, including Saginaw, Bay City, Midland, and Mount Pleasant. It operates on Eastern Time.
Does the 989 area code have an overlay?
No. Because it serves a largely non-metropolitan region, 989 has never needed an overlay and still covers its entire territory on a single area code.
Is 989 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 989 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout central and northern Michigan.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 989 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 989 Guides
- Is a 989 call safe? Read Is area code 989 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.