Area Code 281

Where Is Area Code 281?

Area code 281 can be found in Texas serving Houston and its surrounding towns and cities. Area code 281 is located in the Central Time Zone and covers eight counties of Texas. Area code 281 was put into effect on November 2, 1996, and was created from a split of area code 713. On January 16, 1999, area code 281 was turned into an overlay and area code 832 was created as an overlay. On July 1, 2014, area code 346 was added as another overlay. As a result, there are four area codes covering the Houston metropolitan area.

Located in eastern Texas along the Texas Gulf Coast, Houston is the most populous city in the state and the county seat of Harris County. Houston is the fourth-most populous city in the United States and the largest city in the southern United States. The Greater Houston metropolitan area is the fifth most populated metropolitan statistical area in the United States. Houston is situated in the Gulf Coastal Plain and has four major bayous that pass through: Buffalo Bayou, White Oak Bayou, Brays Bayou, and Sims Bayou. Houston is prone to flooding because of the flatness of the local terrain. The geographic areas of Houston are normally classified as either being inside or outside the Interstate 610 Loop; the inside includes the central business district and many residential neighborhoods while the outside includes the city's outlying areas, enclaves, and suburbs. Houston has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters. Unfortunately Houston commonly ranks among the most ozone-polluted cities in the United States; this is a result of the industries located along the ship channel. Going back in history, John Kirby Allen and Augustus Chapman Allen purchased a little over 6,000 acres of land along Buffalo Bayou in 1836; they named the city after Sam Houston, an American politician. In 1837, Houston was incorporated as a city and chosen as the county seat of Harris County.

Unfortunately the very high crime rate places Houston among the top ten most dangerous cities in Texas. Houston is one of three cities that contribute greatly to the nation’s overall murder rate; Houston is also a significant hub for trafficking of drugs such as MDMA, cannabis, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Houston’s economy is based mainly on the energy industry, namely oil and natural gas. Other large sectors of the economy include aerospace, health care, and biomedical research. Houston has a rich sporting culture, which is evident in the four major professional sports teams: the Houston Astros (MLB), the Houston Texans (NFL), the Houston Dynamo (MLS), and the Houston Rockets (NBA). Major arenas include the Minute Maid Park, the NRG Stadium, and the Toyota Center. When it comes to education, Houston is home to four distinct state universities: the University of Houston, the University of Houston–Clear Lake, the University of Houston–Downtown, and the Texas Southern University.

Houston is a diverse city with a thriving international community. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the largest annual event in the city and the largest annual livestock show and rodeo in the world. Other annual events in the city include the Houston Gay Pride Parade, the Houston Greek Festival, the Houston Art Car Parade, and the Houston Auto Show. A popular spot for residents and tourists is the Houston Theater District, a 17-block area that is home to the famous Bayou Place entertainment complex, which features restaurants, bars, live music, theaters, and art house films. Another popular spot in the city is the Galleria, an upscale shopping mall that attracts more than 24 million visitors annually; it is the largest mall in Texas and the seventh largest mall in the United States. Like all large cities, Houston is home to numerous tourist attractions including the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Houston Zoo, the Children's Museum of Houston, the Space Center Houston, the Holocaust Museum Houston, the National Museum of Funeral History, and the McGovern Centennial Gardens.

All Texas Area Codes By Number