If you are investigating the 561 area code, you are looking at a number assigned to one of the most dynamic and affluent regions of Florida.
Area Code 561 is the telephone area code for Palm Beach County in the southeastern part of Florida, USA. It serves major cities including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and Jupiter. Due to rapid growth, the 561 area code now operates under an overlay with the newer 728 area code.
This comprehensive guide details the geographical coverage of the 561 area, explains the mandatory dialing rules for the region, and provides essential information on time zones and scam risks.
Area Code 561 Location and Coverage
The 561 area code was originally created in 1996 when it split from the older 407 area code. Today, it covers the core of Palm Beach County, extending west into the Everglades and south toward the Broward County border.
Key Facts About 561
| Detail | Information |
| Location | Palm Beach County, Southeastern Florida, USA |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) – UTC-5:00 (observes Daylight Saving Time) |
| Overlay Code | 728 (Added in 2023) |
| Mandatory Dialing | 10-Digit Dialing (Required for all calls since 2021) |
Major Cities Served by 561 and 728
The entire geographical region is served by both 561 and 728. Key communities covered include:
- West Palm Beach (Largest city)
- Boca Raton
- Delray Beach
- Boynton Beach
- Jupiter
- Wellington
- Lake Worth
The 728 Overlay and Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing
The 728 area code was introduced as an all-services overlay in 2023 to provide new telephone numbers as the 561 code approached exhaustion.
- Overlay Definition: An overlay means that both the 561 and 728 prefixes cover the exact same physical territory. Customers requesting new phone lines or services may receive a number in either the 561 or the 728 area code.
- Mandatory Dialing: The introduction of the overlay officially solidified the need for mandatory 10-digit dialing (Area Code + 7-digit local number) for all calls within Palm Beach County, including local calls between numbers with the same area code.
Scam and Safety Risk in the 561 Area
Like other major metropolitan areas in Florida, the 561 area code is a frequent target for scammers using neighbor spoofing tactics.
- Neighbor Spoofing: This is a technique where criminals, often operating internationally, deliberately mask their number to display a prefix (561 or 728) and the first three digits of a local exchange, making the call appear to come from a local number or neighbor.
- Common Scams: Reports in the 561 area often involve imposter scams (claiming to be from the IRS or a government agency), final warranty warnings (car or home services), and medical/prescription offers.
Safety Tip: If you receive an unsolicited call from any number you do not recognize, even if it starts with 561 or 728, do not answer. If the call is important, the caller will leave a voicemail.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the time zone for the 561 area code?
The 561 area code is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET). It observes Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) during the summer and Eastern Standard Time (EST) during the winter.
What are the neighboring area codes to 561?
The 561/728 complex is bordered by:
- 772 (To the North, serving the Treasure Coast including Port St. Lucie)
- 954 / 754 (To the South, serving the Fort Lauderdale/Broward County area)
- 863 (To the West, serving the central Florida interior/Lakeland area)
When did 10-digit dialing become mandatory in the 561 area?
Although the 728 overlay was introduced in 2023, 10-digit dialing was made mandatory across the 561 area in October 2021 as a nationwide requirement to reserve the three-digit code 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Conclusion
The Area Code 561 (now operating with its overlay, 728) is the definitive identifier for Palm Beach County, Florida. To successfully place a call to this vibrant region, remember that 10-digit dialing is required at all times. Be vigilant against spam and rely on your caller ID filtering apps to manage unsolicited calls from this area.
