Area code 936 serves southeastern Texas, including cities like Huntsville, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, and Conroe. Created in 2000 from a split with 409, it covers a mix of piney woods, small towns, and rapidly growing suburbs north of Houston. Sam Houston State University and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice are major regional institutions. Seven-digit dialing remains available locally. Area code 936 is associated with East Texas culture—defined by education, correctional services, and natural landscapes—making it distinct from the urban sprawl of Houston to the south.