The 781 area code is a telephone prefix in the North American Numbering Plan, which surrounds the Greater Boston metropolitan area in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Being a global city, Boston requires a solid telecommunication system that equalizes its powerful economy. The 781 area code is one of the four prefixes that serve the city covering its inner suburbs and some adjacent regions.
On the other hand, the only overlay for the dialing number 781 is the 339 area code. Currently, both prefixes run in five of the 14 Massachusetts counties, including Norfolk, Middlesex, Suffolk, Plymouth, and Essex counties.
1. History
As we already explained, Boston City currently owns four dialing codes. One of them is the 617 area code installed in October 1947, as part of the 86 original codifications assigned for AT&T and the Bell System. In this way, Massachusetts received two prefixes, designating code 617 for the eastern section of the state including Boston.
By 1988, the 617 code lost a part of its service area with the creation of the 508 area code as a split from it. This number surrounded most of the western and southern sections of the old 617 territory, including Worcester, the South Coast, and the Cape and Islands.
The second split for the prefix 617 occurred on September 1, 1997, when the 781 arrived at the state serving some outer and inner Boston suburbs and communities such as Arlington, Dedham, Burlington, Malden, Saugus, and others.
The prefix 781 disposes of a single overlay plan, the 339 area code activated on May 2, 2001. Since this code appeared, ten-digit dialing has been required in the region.
2. Location
Admitted on February 6, 1788, Massachusetts is the most populous state of the New England region, encompassing over 7.1 million inhabitants that sprawl across 10,565 square miles. Also, this state is constituted of 14 counties, 57 cities, and eight urban areas.
The largest metropolitan area of the state is Greater Boston, which is also the largest of the entire New England region. Encompassing over 4.3 million residents it has played a relevant role in the cultural, industrial, and financial sector of the country throughout history.
This combined statistical area is the only region in New England that surrounds three states, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Being considered the center of economic activities of the region it disposes of ten numbering plan areas.
Such as the rest of Massachusetts, the 781 code corresponds to the Eastern Daylight time zone. At present, it surrounds 633.52 square miles and contains 94 non-unique postal area zip codes.
Adjacent codes
Massachusetts possesses the largest telephonic services of New England encompassing nine area codes. The 617 and 413 dialing codes are the first codifications installed in the network in 1947.
Another important prefix is the 978 area code, established in north-central and most of northeastern Massachusetts. Activated on September 1, 1997, this prefix owns a single overlay, the 351 area code that along with the 339 and 774 codes represent the most recent numbers added to the state; incorporated in 2001.
On the other hand, the 508 area code stands out as the state’s largest codification in terms of users, encompassing nearly 1.8 million of the state’s 7.1 million residents.
3. Most Important Locations in the 570 Area Code
Boston
Located on Massachusetts Bay, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean; Boston is the county seat of Suffolk County and city-state capital of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Besides, a great part of the city includes part of the Charles River and Boston Harbor.
Incorporated as a city on March 19, 1822, Boston is one of the oldest cities of the U.S. Usually referred to as “the city of neighborhoods” it is constituted by 23 official designated neighborhoods, such as Allston, Back Bay, Charlestown, Bay Village, among others.
In terms of population, Boston is the largest city of New England and the 21st most populated in the nation, encompassing over 684k inhabitants. Also, it home to many educational institutions, including colleges and universities that make it a world leader is this sector.
Covering a total area of 89.62 square miles, Boston disposes of 51 non-unique postal area zip codes.
Lynn
Located on the Atlantic Ocean, 3.7 miles north of Boston, this city corresponds to the Greater Boston metro area. With a population of around 93k residents, Lynn is the most populous city of Essex County and the 9th largest of the state.
Settled in 1629 and incorporated in 1850, it is the fifth oldest colonial settlement of Massachusetts. Today, this city is a cultural hub famous for its historic architecture and numerous public parks and open spaces.
Lynn surrounds a total area of 13.53 square miles and encloses six non-unique postal area zip codes: 01901, 01902, 01903, 01904, 01905, and 01910.
4. Other Important Districts and ZIP Codes of the 781 Area Code
The 781 area code covers five of the 14 counties in Massachusetts including:
- Suffolk County: it is home to the city of Boston, which represents the capital of the commonwealth. Currently, it is the third-mostpopulous county of the state enclosing nearly 796k
- Norfolk County: founded in 1793, it corresponds to the Greater Boston metro area. Norfolk is the fifth-mostpopulous county of the state with around 700k Its county seat is the town of Dedham that encompasses over 24k residents.
- Essex County: settled in 1643, Essex lies in the northeastern section of Massachusetts. With a population of around 783kpeople, it is the fourth-largest county in the state in terms of population.
Main Postal and Shipping Services
- The UPS Store, Stoneham, MA, - +1 781-279-7070
- USPS Revere Carrier Annex, Revere, MA, - +1 781-284-2187
- Sunrise Postal Services, Malden, MA, - +1 781-321-6810
- Medina Shipping, Lynn, MA, - + +1 781-599-2286
5. FAQs
What is the most recent area code added to Massachusetts?
The newest area codes added to the Massachusetts network are the 774, 339, and 351, incorporated in 2001.
How Many Area Codes Are There in the Greater Boston?
The Greater Boston metro area disposes of ten numbering plan areas, one of them the 781 area code.