Area code 940 serves north-central Texas, covering cities such as Wichita Falls, Denton, Gainesville, and Decatur. It was created in 1997 from a split of area code 817 to address the growing population and telecommunications needs outside of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The region includes military installations like Sheppard Air Force Base and a strong base in agriculture, energy, and higher education. 940 is a standalone code that connects both rural areas and fast-growing college towns like Denton. It remains a vital part of North Texas’s infrastructure and regional identity.