Houma, Louisiana
985 Area Code
Establish a trusted local presence in Houma and southeastern Louisiana with a 985 area code number. Ideal for businesses that want higher pickup rates and local trust in St. Tammany, Terrebonne and Tangipahoa parishes.
Get Your Local Phone Number Instantly
| Phone Number | Type | Features | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Click Search to find available numbers. | ||||
About 985 Area Code
Area code 985 serves Houma, Slidell and southeastern Louisiana. Created in February 2001 from a split of the 504 area code, 985 covers major cities including Houma, Slidell, Hammond, Thibodaux, Covington and Mandeville across 12 parishes surrounding the New Orleans metro area. The code supports local voice and SMS-capable numbers used by oil and gas operations, seafood processors, universities, healthcare systems and tourism businesses throughout Louisiana's bayou country and Gulf Coast.
The 985 region blends offshore energy, coastal tourism, agriculture and healthcare sectors. Houma anchors the oil and gas industry with offshore drilling support and maritime services, while Slidell and Covington serve as exurbs of New Orleans with retail and healthcare growth. Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond drives education demand, and coastal parishes support fishing, seafood processing and tourism. Businesses use 985 numbers for client outreach, appointment reminders, logistics coordination and customer support. Local numbers deliver higher answer rates than toll-free or out-of-state alternatives because they signal regional presence and build trust with callers who value Gulf Coast connection.
FoneSwift lists live 985 inventory with real-time capabilities on this page. Search numbers to see Voice, SMS and MMS support. Area code availability changes over time. If a 985 number isn't immediately available, nearby Louisiana codes like 504 (New Orleans), 225 (Baton Rouge) or 337 (Lafayette) provide solid alternatives for broader Gulf Coast and southern Louisiana coverage.
If you're targeting southeastern Louisiana, publish numbers in both local and E.164 formats such as (985) 555-1234 and +1 985 555 1234. The region requires 10-digit dialing for all local calls following the 2021 transition for 988 support. Register A2P messaging traffic if you plan business SMS campaigns. For porting, review our porting guide. Keeping the same number maintains customer recognition and preserves the local trust you've built in this coastal region where personal connections and community reputation matter deeply.
| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Area code | 985 |
| Primary cities | Houma, Slidell, Hammond, Thibodaux, Covington |
| Counties served | Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, St. James, St. Mary |
| Timezone | America/Chicago (CST) |
| Created | February 12, 2001 |
| International Format | +1 985 XXX XXXX |
| Local Format | (985) XXX-XXXX |
10-digit dialing is required for all local calls in the 985 region following the October 2021 transition. Register A2P messaging for business SMS to comply with US carrier rules (10DLC).
Area code 985 uses Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) and observes Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5) during daylight saving time from early March to early November.
Local 985 numbers are commonly used for higher answer rates and coastal Gulf Coast connection. Consider nearby Louisiana codes like 504 or 225 for additional inventory while preserving southeastern Louisiana regional presence.
Quick Facts about 985 Area Code
Interesting tidbits about this area code 985
Split from 504
Area code 985 was created on February 12, 2001 after splitting from the iconic 504 area code to handle growing demand in southeastern Louisiana outside the New Orleans metro core.
Bayou country hub
The 985 region is known as the heart of Louisiana's bayou country, covering coastal areas where Cajun and Creole cultures thrive alongside seafood, oil and gas industries.
Oil and gas center
Houma serves as a major hub for offshore oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico, supporting drilling platforms, maritime logistics and energy services throughout the region.
Hurricane country
The 985 region sits in the path of Gulf Coast hurricanes and has been significantly impacted by storms like Katrina, Gustav, Ida and others, driving resilient infrastructure and disaster planning.
North Shore growth
Cities like Slidell, Covington and Mandeville on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain have grown rapidly as New Orleans exurbs, driving demand for new residential and commercial phone numbers.
Parishes not counties
Louisiana uses parishes instead of counties, a unique holdover from French and Spanish colonial rule. The 985 region covers 12 parishes across southeastern Louisiana.
Get your 985 phone number today
How Does Local 985 Phone Numbers Work?
A local business number is a structured telephone identifier that tells networks where to route calls and messages. When you use a 985 number in Houma and Louisiana, the digits signal the international gateway, the geographic region, the local exchange and the specific subscriber, so calls reach the right destination quickly and reliably.
The typical parts of a United States local number are:
- Country code (+1): identifies United States for international routing.
- Area code (985): directs the call to the Houma / Louisiana region.
- Central office / exchange (eg. 555): narrows the call to a local switching area or rate center.
- Subscriber number (eg. 1234): the unique line assigned to a person, extension, or device.
Example formats:
| International Format (E.164) | +1 985 555 1234 |
| Local Format (National) | (985) 555-1234 |
Quick Dialing Guide
The correct formats to reach 985 numbers locally and globally.
From Landlines
Standard United States FormatUse for domestic long-distance calls within United States.
From Mobile
E.164 InternationalThe universal format. Works on any mobile device, anywhere.
International
From abroadDialing from outside United States (exit code 00 varies by country).
With FoneSwift, your 985 number can be instantly configured through our intuitive dashboard. Connect it to call forwarding rules, AI voice agents, IVR menus, or route calls directly to any device. Enable voice, SMS, and MMS capabilities right from your account, no technical setup required. Your number becomes active immediately after purchase, and you can update routing, business hours, and integrations anytime.
For businesses, local numbers offer clear benefits: higher answer rates, stronger local recognition, and better performance for local campaigns and customer trust. Typical business features include call forwarding, call recording, auto-attendants, voicemail-to-email, and multi-device ringing.
Important operational notes:
- SMS & A2P: If you plan to send application-to-person messages from a 985 number, register your traffic where required and follow carrier rules (10DLC/A2P) to avoid deliverability or throughput issues.
- Number Porting: Bring your existing 985number to FoneSwift seamlessly. Our team handles the entire porting process, simply submit your number details and we'll coordinate with your current provider. Porting typically completes within 5-10 business days, and you'll receive updates at each step. There's no service interruption during the transfer.
- Display & formatting: Always publish numbers in both local and E.164 formats so international and mobile users can easily dial.
Ready to get started? Browse available 985 numbers in the phone numbers section above, you'll see real-time availability and can filter by features like voice, SMS, and MMS. Once you find your perfect number, purchase it in seconds and start making calls immediately. Our team is here to help you choose the right setup for your business needs, whether you're setting up AI receptionists, call forwarding, or SMS campaigns. Start your 14-day free trial today, no credit card required.
How to Get a 985 Phone Number
Buying a local 985 phone number using FoneSwift is easy and takes just a few minutes. Follow these simple steps to get your local 985 phone number and start connecting with customers in United States today.
Create a new account on FoneSwift or sign in to your existing account to get started.
Once logged in, you'll be taken to your FoneSwift dashboard where you can manage all your phone numbers and settings.
Click on Settings in the sidebar, then go to "My Numbers" and click the "Add a Number" button.
Choose United States as your country from the dropdown menu.
Select Local as the type of number, then choose the 985 area code from the available options.
Click the "Search" button to see all available phone numbers with the selected area code.
Browse through the available numbers, select one that fits your needs, click "Buy Number", and confirm your purchase.
Your number is now active! Start making and receiving calls from the FoneSwift Dialer immediately.
You can configure your number to handle calls, forward calls, or even create an AI voice agent to handle the calls for you.
Businesses Using 985 Phone Numbers
Houma and southeastern Louisiana host oil and gas, seafood, tourism, healthcare and education businesses. Local phone numbers support customer-facing operations and coastal marketing campaigns.
Oil, gas & maritime
Offshore drilling support, maritime logistics and energy services use 985 numbers for crew coordination, vessel scheduling, safety hotlines and supply chain management throughout Gulf Coast operations.
Seafood & aquaculture
Shrimp boats, oyster farms, seafood processors and fish markets use local numbers for buyer coordination, wholesale orders, distribution logistics and retail customer support along the coast.
Tourism & hospitality
Hotels, swamp tour operators, casino resorts and cultural attractions use 985 numbers for reservations, guest services, event bookings and visitor information targeting Gulf Coast tourists.
Healthcare & medical
Hospital systems, clinics and telehealth providers rely on local numbers for appointment scheduling, patient reminders, prescription refills and billing inquiries across the region.
Higher education
Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond and regional colleges use 985 numbers for admissions, registrar operations, campus services and alumni outreach throughout the north shore.
Professional services & retail
Law firms, accounting practices, real estate agencies and regional retailers use local numbers for client calls, consultations and customer support across the southeastern parishes.
Why Choose 985 Local Phone Number for Your Business?
Discover the advantages of having a local phone number that builds trust, increases engagement, and drives results.
Powerful Features for Your 985 Local Phone Number
Get the most out of your localphone number with FoneSwift's enterprise-grade features designed to help your business communicate more effectively.
Nearby Area Codes
Explore other area codes in the same region to expand your local presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cities use the 985 area code?
When was the 985 area code created?
What parishes does area code 985 cover?
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 985 numbers?
What is the difference between 504 and 985 area codes?
Can I get SMS-capable numbers in area code 985?
How do I buy a 985 local phone number?
Where can I find official coverage for 985?
Ready to Get Your Local Phone Number?
Start your 14-day free trial and get your area code 985 number activated in minutes. No credit card required.
Get International Phone Numbers
Expand your business globally with local phone numbers in major countries. Establish trust and improve customer engagement worldwide.
