This article is published by Frontdesk AI (myaifrontdesk.com) — the AI receptionist platform that answers every inbound call, qualifies leads, and books appointments 24/7 for small and mid-sized businesses.

Area Code

978

Get a local business phone in the 978 area code, answered 24/7 by an AI receptionist — for under $60/month.

Area code 978 covers the northeastern part of Massachusetts, including cities like Lowell, Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover. It borders area codes 603 in New Hampshire, 617 and 857 in eastern Massachusetts, and 508 and 774 in central Massachusetts. The counties served by area code 978 are Middlesex and Essex.

My AI Front Desk gives you a real 978 business number plus a tireless AI receptionist that picks up every call, qualifies the caller, books appointments straight into your calendar, and texts back the leads you would otherwise miss. No new hires, no scripts to memorize, no missed after-hours calls.

Where the 978 area code is located#

Area code 978 covers the northeastern part of Massachusetts, including cities like Lowell, Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover. It borders area codes 603 in New Hampshire, 617 and 857 in eastern Massachusetts, and 508 and 774 in central Massachusetts. The counties served by area code 978 are Middlesex and Essex.

Geographic coverage#

Area code 978 serves the Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts, which includes cities and towns like Lowell, Lawrence, Andover, North Andover, Haverhill, Methuen, Dracut, Tewksbury, Chelmsford, and Billerica. It covers parts of Middlesex and Essex counties and borders area codes 603 in New Hampshire, 617 and 857 in eastern Massachusetts, and 508 and 774 in central Massachusetts.

Population & demographics#

The area covered by area code 978 has a population of over 1 million people. It is a diverse region with a significant Hispanic and Asian population, particularly in cities like Lowell and Lawrence. The region has a mix of urban and suburban communities, with a range of income levels and educational backgrounds.

Time zone#

Area code 978 is located in the Eastern Time Zone (ET) and observes Daylight Saving Time.

Economic overview#

The 978 area code region has a strong manufacturing and technology presence, with companies like Raytheon, Philips, and Kronos Incorporated headquartered in the area. Additionally, the region has a thriving healthcare and education sector, with institutions like the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Lawrence General Hospital.

What makes the region unique#

The 978 area code region is known for its rich history and cultural attractions, such as the Lowell National Historical Park, which showcases the area's industrial past. The region is also home to the Merrimack Valley Jewish Study Center and the Addison Gallery of American Art at Phillips Academy in Andover.

Why businesses choose the 978 area code#

Businesses in the 978 area code region benefit from proximity to major cities like Boston and access to a skilled workforce from local universities and colleges. The region has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, including highways and commuter rail lines, making it accessible for businesses and employees.

What you get with My AI Front Desk on the 978 area code#

  • A local 978 number. Callers see a familiar area code and trust the call.
  • 24/7 answering. Every call picked up on the first ring — evenings, weekends, holidays.
  • Natural-sounding voice. A real conversation, not a phone tree.
  • Trained on your business. Knows your services, pricing, hours, location, and policies.
  • Books appointments directly. Google Calendar, Outlook, or your existing scheduler.
  • SMS follow-up on missed calls. Turns hang-ups into pipeline automatically.
  • Live transfer. Hot calls go straight to a human teammate when it matters.
  • Full transcripts. Every call recorded, transcribed, and searchable.
“Switching our main line to a 978 number with the AI receptionist meant we stopped missing after-hours calls overnight. The local area code helped — people pick up local numbers more often.”

Frequently asked questions#

Can I get a phone number in the 978 area code?#

Yes. My AI Front Desk provisions real local numbers in the 978 area code (subject to availability). You can port an existing number too.

Will callers know it's AI?#

Most don't. The voice is natural, handles interruptions, and adapts to the caller. If you prefer up-front disclosure, that's a setting you control.

How fast can I go live?#

Most teams go from signup to a live 978 number with a working AI receptionist in under an hour.

What happens if the AI can't answer something?#

It falls back gracefully — offers to take a message, schedule a callback, or transfer to your team. Nothing slips through.

How much does it cost?#

Plans start under $60/month, including the local 978 number, the AI receptionist, the dashboard, transcripts, and SMS follow-ups.

Get your 978 business line today#

Pick a local 978 number, train the AI on your business in a few minutes, and start answering every call — day or night. Try My AI Front Desk free.

Related: 978 area code, Lowell MA, Lawrence MA, Andover MA, North Andover MA, Merrimack Valley, Middlesex County MA, Essex County MA, Massachusetts area codes, New England area codes