Area code
804
804 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Virginia, which has 10 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 804
Paste a full number and the tool checks it against the numbering plan. It returns the standard formats, the line type the plan assigns and the area code region.
Digits with or without punctuation work. Numbers outside the US are read with the +country code.
Area code 804 at a glance
NANPA lists 781 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 804, held by 43 holders across 55 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1973-06-24 |
| Time zone | Eastern (E) |
| Assigned overlays | 686 (2024-02-01) |
| Prefixes in use | 781 |
| Pooled prefixes | 607 (78%) |
| Rate centers | 55 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 43 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-08 to 2025-06-17 (368 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 80 |
Rate centers in area code 804
The largest rate center is RICHMOND, with 366 prefixes (47%).
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| RICHMOND | 366 | 47% |
| PETERSBURG | 49 | 6% |
| CHESTER | 34 | 4% |
| ASHLAND | 21 | 3% |
| MIDLOTHIAN | 19 | 2% |
| MECHANCSVL | 18 | 2% |
| GLOUCESTER | 15 | 2% |
| SANDSTON | 13 | 2% |
| 47 other rate centers | 246 | 31% |
Who holds the prefixes in 804
Verizon Virginia holds the most prefixes, 194 (25%). 78% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon Virginia | 194 | 25% |
| Verizon Wireless | 98 | 13% |
| Paetec Itel | 50 | 6% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 47 | 6% |
| Onvoy | 44 | 6% |
| Omnipoint Communications Cap Operations | 43 | 6% |
| 37 other carriers | 305 | 39% |
A prefix holder is the company a code was assigned to, not necessarily a number's current carrier, because numbers can be ported to another company. Find which carrier a number is on, or browse the prefix holders.
History of area code 804
- 1973-06-24 Area code 804 went into service.
- 1996-07-01 Area code 757 went into service and names 804 as its parent.
- 2001-06-01 Area code 434 went into service and names 804 as its parent.
- 2024-02-01 Area code 686 went into service as an overlay in the same area as 804.
Area codes nearest to 804
Distance is measured between the centers of the ZIP code places each area code serves, so it is a rough guide.
Overlay codes in the same area
- 686
ZIP codes in area code 804
80 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | 39 |
| Midlothian, VA | 3 |
| Petersburg, VA | 3 |
A ZIP code and an area code are unrelated systems. A ZIP code can sit in more than one area code, and an area code spans many ZIP codes.
Complaints on file for 804 numbers
4,224 FCC complaints are on file for 3,255 numbers in 804, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 241 |
| 2024 | 174 |
| 2025 | 194 |
Other area codes in Virginia
Virginia is one state with 10 area codes in the NANPA table. 804 is one of them.
Next to 804 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 804 when all are sorted by number. They are neighbours on the list, not necessarily on the map.
What the area code does and does not tell you
A number that starts with 804 was first assigned in Virginia. That is a fact about where the number began, and it is a useful hint when you check a form entry, for example a billing address in Virginia next to a 804 phone number.
It does not show where the person is today. A number stays with its owner after a move or a change of provider (number portability), and mobile numbers travel with the handset. The area code also cannot tell you whether the line is active, who the carrier is, or whether the number is mobile or fixed: the plan shares those ranges. Read more about the area code, the numbering plan and line type.
Check numbers in bulk with the API
| Product | Credits | Docs |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Numbering-Plan Validation | 1 credit per valid number | API docs |
| Phone Intelligence (carrier and line status) | 1 credit per check (invalid numbers outside the US and Canada are free) | Product page |
Questions about area code 804
Where is area code 804?
NANPA assigns area code 804 to Virginia, United States.
In which state does area code 804 sit?
Virginia. 804 is one of 10 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 804 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 804 are Richmond, VA, Midlothian, VA and Petersburg, VA. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 804?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 804, Verizon Virginia holds the most prefixes, 194 prefixes or 25%.
Which time zone does 804 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 804 as Eastern (E).
What year did 804 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1973-06-24, so 804 has been in use since 1973.
Does area code 804 have an overlay?
Yes. 686 (in service 2024-02-01) shares the same area with 804, so numbers from all of them are local to each other.
Which area codes are nearest to 804?
The area codes closest to 804, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 757 (about 54 miles), 948 (about 54 miles), 434 (about 79 miles), 571 (about 92 miles) and 703 (about 92 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 804 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 781 prefixes in service in 804, spread over 55 rate centers and 43 holders.
Are there complaints about 804 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 4,224 complaints for 3,255 numbers in 804. They are unverified consumer reports. A number with no complaints on file is not proven safe.
Area code assignments: North American Numbering Plan Administrator NPA report, file dated 10/17/2026, retrieved 2026-10-17. Source file. New codes are assigned several times a year. Prefixes, rate centers, holders, time zone, in-service date and overlays: NANPA central office code report dated 2026-10-17 and NPA report dated 2026-10-18. Complaints: FCC consumer complaints open data, fetched 2026-10-17. ZIP code places: Postal code places and coordinates: GeoNames (geonames.org), licensed CC BY 4.0.