Houstobn Chronicle
By Kennedy Sessions
Updated July 7, 2023 12:57 p.m.

Rapid population growth in the greater Houston area will lead to the city gaining a new area code, according to a Public Utility Commission of Texas statement released Thursday. Rest assured to 713 Day devotees: PUC officials confirmed the additional area code will only add to the region's existing codes of 713, 832, 281 and 346.

The reason for the addition? The North American Number Planning Administration predicts by the fall of 2025, the city's four existing codes will run out of 10-digit phone number combinations. 

The existing and new area codes will cover the entire city of Houston and the general metropolitan area, including Alvin, Baytown, Cleveland, Cypress, Dickinson, Friendswood, Humble, Katy, Kemah, League City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Rosharon, Spring, Sugarland, and Tomball, all within the nine counties of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Waller. 

According to an April census breakdown report by Houston Chronicle reporter Yilun Cheng, Houston is the second fastest-growing metropolitan in the U.S., with the most significant population increase in the past six years. 

More specifically, Cheng reported that from July 2021 to July 2022, the nine-county Houston metro area, including The Woodlands and Sugar Land, added 125,000 residents to its population. Overall, the greater metropolitan population is around 7.34 million people.

"At current growth rate, two-thirds of Houston’s population gains in ’22 came from net immigration, one-third from the natural increase. The ratio frequently shifts, with immigration accounting for a larger share of population growth when the region’s economy booms and a smaller share when it struggles," The Greater Houston Partnership wrote in an April analysis. 

The Public Utility Commission of Texas is taking public comments until Aug. 5 on the proposed area code. Greater Houston residents can submit their comments or recommendations here.