What is the 701 Area Code? Time Zone and Location
- Area code 701 covers the entire state of North Dakota — it is the only area code that serves the area, making 701 one of only eleven states in the US that still has a single area code.
- There are currently no overlays, meaning 701 is the only area code for the geographic regions it serves — in all, it serves a population of 779,094 individuals across all 53 counties.
- Major cities covered include Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, West Fargo, Williston, Dickinson, Mandan, Jamestown, Wahpeton, Valley City, Devils Lake, Grafton, Bottineau, Beulah, Hazen, Watford City, Bowman, and Hettinger.
- The 701 area code falls primarily within the Central Time Zone, with the southwestern portion of the state — including cities such as Bowman and Hettinger — observing Mountain Time.
- Area code 701 is one of the original 86 area codes created by AT&T in 1947 and remains the only area code in North Dakota. Numbering plan exhaustion projections forecast that North Dakota will not need a new area code until 2029.
- Seven-digit dialing is in effect for all calls within the state — a rare distinction among US area codes today — because 701 has no overlay and successfully avoided a mandatory 10-digit transition when the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline was implemented.
701 Area Code Quick Facts
| Area Code | 701 |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State / Region | North Dakota (entire state — all 53 counties) |
| Area Code Type | Geographic area code (no overlay — sole area code for the entire state) |
| Overlay Codes | None |
| Major Cities Covered | Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, West Fargo, Williston, Dickinson, Mandan, Jamestown, Wahpeton, Valley City, Devils Lake, Grafton, Bottineau, Beulah, Watford City, Rugby, Langdon, Carrington, Cavalier |
| Primary City Association | Fargo, North Dakota (largest city) / Bismarck, North Dakota (state capital) |
| Geographic Coverage | 288 cities across all 53 counties in North Dakota — from the Red River Valley in the east to the Badlands in the west, and from the Canadian border in the north to the South Dakota border in the south |
| Time Zone | Dual time zone — Central Time (CT) for most of the state; Mountain Time (MT) for southwestern counties |
| Central Time Offset | UTC −6 hours (standard) / UTC −5 hours (CDT) |
| Mountain Time Offset | UTC −7 hours (standard) / UTC −6 hours (MDT) |
| DST Period (2026 Example) | March → November |
| Introduced / Activation Date | January 1, 1947 — one of the original 86 area codes under the North American Numbering Plan |
| Reason for Creation | One of the original 86 area codes established in 1947, assigned to serve the entire state of North Dakota — it is one of only 15 of the original 86 area codes that still serve an entire state |
| Dialing Requirement | 7-digit local dialing in effect for all calls within the state — one of the few remaining area codes in the US that still allows 7-digit local dialing |
| Coverage Nature | Sole geographic area code — no overlay, no split in nearly 80 years of service |
| Population Coverage | Serves a population of approximately 779,094 individuals across all 53 counties in North Dakota |
| Nearby / Related Area Codes | 406 (Montana), 605 (South Dakota), 218 (Duluth, MN), 320 (St. Cloud, MN), 507 (Rochester, MN), 306/639 (Saskatchewan, Canada), 204/431 (Manitoba, Canada) |
| Telecom System | North American Numbering Plan (NANP) |
| Major Carriers | Qwest/CenturyLink/Lumen holds the largest share of 701 prefixes, alongside Polar Communications Mutual Aid Corp., United Telephone Mutual Aid Corp., Dakota Central Telecom Coop., and the major national wireless carriers |
| Example Phone Format | (701) XXX-XXXX |
| Usage Type | Mobile, landline, VoIP numbers |
| Business Use | The only area code for the entire state of North Dakota — universally recognized as the "North Dakota number" and essential for any business operating in the state |
| Number Availability | Currently uses 738 prefixes, assigned from 701-200-XXXX through 701-999-XXXX — with 92 prefixes (11.5%) remaining inactive, and no relief planning is currently underway |
| Area Code Status | Active and stable — no overlay or split projected until at least 2029 |
| Common Legitimate Callers | Sanford Health appointment lines, Bobcat Company sales representatives, and Bakken oil field dispatchers are among the most recognized legitimate callers from 701 numbers |
| Notable Distinction | North Dakota is recognized for its strong sense of community, low crime rates, and high quality of life, while also being home to the Bakken Formation, one of the most significant oil-producing regions in the United States, and the International Peace Garden on the Canadian border |
Is the 701 Area Code a Scam?
| Spam Growth | Spam calls in North Dakota increased by 64.81% over the past year, with the highest volume recorded in September 2025, accounting for 20.79% of all calls and the lowest in October 2025 at just 1.69% |
|---|---|
| Most Common Complaint Type | Live voice complaints make up 41.4% of all reported calls in North Dakota — the dominant statewide complaint type — followed by prerecorded voice at 38.17% and text message at 20.43% |
| Top Scam Categories Statewide | Medicare/Medicaid calls make up 8.6% of complaints — the single largest category — followed by auto warranty (6.99%), health insurance (5.91%), prizes/winnings (4.3%), and political calls (4.3%) |
| Top Reported Cities for Complaints | Fargo leads with 23.88% of statewide complaints, followed by Bismarck (12.23%), Grand Forks (9.47%), Minot (5.68%), and Williston (5.34%) |
| Top Reported Cities for 701-Specific Complaints | Bismarck, ND leads with 5.53% of 701-specific complaints, followed by Fargo, ND (4.72%) and Washburn, ND |
| Peak Complaint Period | August 2025 saw the highest volume of complaints for area code 701, with March 2026 showing a 50% increase compared to February 2026 |
| Statewide Fraud Impact | In 2024, North Dakota residents reported 3,127 fraud cases resulting in total losses of $14,369,138, with a median loss of $479 per victim |
| Common Labels | "Art" insurance fraudster, fake catalytic converter buyer, Amazon account scammer, IRS arrest threat, Google Business listing scammer, computer service renewal fraudster |
| Spoofing Risk | Scammers use readily available spoofing technology to display on the caller ID a number that is not the one they are using — even hijacking real 701-area code phone numbers — making it impossible to trust any 701 caller ID alone |
| Statewide Single-Code Vulnerability | Because 701 is the only area code in North Dakota, every spoofed 701 number appears to be from anywhere in the state, giving scammers maximum flexibility to appear local to any North Dakota community, from Fargo to Williston to Bismarck |
| Typical Strategy | Neighbor spoofing — faking familiar Fargo, Bismarck, or Grand Forks numbers to build trust in tight-knit North Dakota communities before making fraudulent requests |
| Signature Scam — "Art" Insurance Application Fraud | A man calling himself "Art" phones North Dakota residents, claiming to follow up on an insurance application you never filled out — saying he's offering "better options" while making relentless calls from multiple numbers, sometimes twice daily, with strange background noises including someone coaching others to give "high fives," using your personal information to sell you insurance policies you don't need |
| Signature Scam — Aggressive Catalytic Converter Buyer | A caller, sometimes named "Mike," phones North Dakota auto repair businesses demanding to speak to "the boss" about buying catalytic converters and scrap metal — becoming irate when told the boss is unavailable, refusing to accept no, and threatening to come to the business personally, sometimes claiming to be from "Secondary Metals," using any information about inventory or management to case the business for potential theft |
| Signature Scam — IRS Arrest Threat | The North Dakota Attorney General has specifically warned that scammers leave threatening messages claiming you owe money on your taxes or threatening immediate arrest — using spoofed 701 numbers to appear local and pressuring victims to call back immediately, mimicking official government communications |
| Signature Scam — Amazon Compromised Account | Robocalls or live callers claiming to be Amazon customer service report suspicious account activity and ask North Dakota residents to confirm payment details or log in credentials — exploiting Amazon's widespread use in a state where e-commerce is essential for rural communities far from major retail centers |
| Signature Scam — Google Business Listing Fraud | North Dakota small businesses are specifically targeted by Google Business listing scams — callers claim your listing has been flagged or will be removed unless you pay a fee or share your account credentials, exploiting the importance of online visibility to small businesses in rural communities |
| AG Warning | The North Dakota Attorney General urges residents: if you receive one of these threatening messages, simply delete it — don't call the scam artist back. Report to the ND AG Consumer Protection Division at 701-328-3404 or 1-800-472-2600 |
| Reporting Authority | Report suspicious calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to the North Dakota Attorney General at attorneygeneral.nd.gov, or call 701-328-3404 (or 1-800-472-2600 within ND only) |
| Key Risk Indicator | Unsolicited insurance application follow-up calls from "Art," aggressive scrap metal buyers who threaten to visit your business, IRS messages threatening immediate arrest, Amazon alerts asking for payment confirmation, or Google Business listing "suspension" threats |
| Safety Tip | The IRS will never notify a taxpayer of a potential problem by leaving a threatening message — it doesn't matter what the message threatens, it is always a scam. Simply delete it, do not call back, and report it to the US Department of the Treasury or email phishing@irs.gov |
What Are the Business Benefits of the 701 Area Code?
| Local Presence | A 701 number is the definitive signal of North Dakota identity — as the only area code in the state since 1947, it is universally recognized by consumers, businesses, and government entities as a North Dakota number, instantly conveying genuine local roots |
|---|---|
| Customer Trust Factor | A local 701 number dramatically increases answer rates vs. unknown out-of-state numbers in a tight-knit state where community trust and personal relationships are exceptionally strong drivers of consumer decisions |
| Statewide Coverage | One number covers the entire state of North Dakota — all 53 counties, from the Red River Valley in the east to the Badlands in the west — reaching both urban centers and hundreds of rural farming and energy communities |
| VoIP Compatibility | Easily available for SaaS platforms, call centers, and remote teams serving the North Dakota market |
| Scalability | Covers roughly 7.38 million unique phone numbers with 92 prefixes still inactive — solid availability with no relief planning underway and no new area code projected until 2029 |
| Energy Sector Dominance | North Dakota is one of the top three oil-producing states in the US, thanks to the Bakken Formation — the 701 area code covers Williston, Minot, Dickinson, and Watford City, the heart of the Bakken oil patch, making it essential for any business serving the energy sector |
| Agricultural Powerhouse | North Dakota is the top US producer of numerous crops, including spring wheat, durum wheat, sunflowers, canola, and dry peas — a 701 number is indispensable for businesses serving the state's dominant agriculture sector |
| Marketing Use | Ideal for local SEO, digital ads, and customer outreach across Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, Williston, Dickinson, Mandan, Jamestown, West Fargo, Valley City, and surrounding communities |
| Startup Friendly | Cost-effective entry point for businesses targeting North Dakota's energy, agricultural technology, and healthcare sectors — with Fargo emerging as a growing tech hub anchored by NDSU and major employers like Microsoft, Sanford Health, and Bobcat |
| Call Routing Flexibility | Can route calls globally while appearing local to North Dakota customers — particularly valuable for energy sector companies managing remote Bakken operations and agricultural businesses serving rural communities statewide |
| Common Legitimate Callers | Sanford Health appointment lines, Bobcat Company (the world's largest manufacturer of compact construction equipment, headquartered in Bismarck), and Bakken oil field dispatchers represent the most recognized business callers using 701 numbers |
| Top Industries | Oil and gas extraction (Bakken Formation — Williams, McKenzie, Mountrail, and Dunn counties), agriculture (wheat, corn, soybeans, sunflowers, canola), healthcare (Sanford Health, Essentia Health, CHI St. Alexius), manufacturing (Bobcat Company, John Deere Fargo), higher education (NDSU, UND, Minot State), financial services, and government (state capital in Bismarck) benefit most from a local 701 presence |
| Use Case Examples | AI receptionist, oil and gas field services and dispatch lines, agricultural equipment and supply services, healthcare practices and hospital networks, university-affiliated services, manufacturing supplier support, financial advisory services, government agency lines, and local retail and hospitality businesses |
