Richmond, Chesterfield, and Henrico anchor the 804 area code, covering east-central Virginia's capital region across 31 counties.
It's been in service since June 24, 1973, when it split off from 703 — and unlike most of the codes in this guide series, Richmond kept 804 through two later splits specifically so state government agencies wouldn't have to absorb the cost of renumbering. In 2024, an all-services overlay, 686, joined the same footprint as growth pushed the region toward exhaustion.
This guide covers 804's counties and cities, where its boundaries stop, the split-and-overlay history that let Richmond keep its original code, what's fueling ongoing demand, and how to get a number of your own.
Counties and cities at a glance
| City | County | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond | Independent city | Capital core |
| Chesterfield | Chesterfield | South suburbs |
| Henrico | Henrico | North/West suburbs |
| Petersburg | Independent city | South of Richmond |
| Mechanicsville | Hanover | Northeast suburbs |
| Colonial Heights | Independent city | South-central |
From downtown Richmond to the outer counties
804 doesn't stop at Richmond's city limits — it radiates outward in three loose bands. The urban core (downtown Richmond and Petersburg) sits at the center, a first ring of suburbs (Henrico, Chesterfield, Colonial Heights) surrounds it, and an outer ring of rural and exurban counties (Hanover, Powhatan, Prince George, the Northern Neck) stretches to where 804 finally gives way to 757, 434, and 703.
Why Richmond kept 804 through two splits
June 24, 1973 — 804 split off from 703, covering a large swath of eastern Virginia.
1996 — 757 split off Hampton Roads and the coast, the first narrowing of 804's footprint.
2001 — 434 split off south-central Virginia, including Lynchburg, shrinking 804 again. Regulators deliberately left Richmond's numbering untouched both times, since renumbering the state capital would have meant reprinting stationery and switchboards across dozens of state agencies.
February 1, 2024 — 686 launched as an all-services overlay on the same capital-region footprint, approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission in late 2022 after population growth pushed 804 toward exhaustion. Existing 804 numbers stayed unchanged.
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What's driving demand across the capital region
Richmond's economy blends government, education, and logistics:
State government As Virginia's capital, Richmond hosts the bulk of the commonwealth's agencies and related contractors, all keeping local phone lines active.
Higher education Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond both add student and staff lines each academic year.
Fort Gregg-Adams This Army logistics installation in Prince George County anchors a steady base of military and civilian support lines just south of the metro.
Many of these capital-region businesses are moving their phone systems onto UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) — one cloud platform for calling, video, and messaging that scales as a company adds offices across the region, the same pattern behind newer overlays like 803 in South Carolina. Contact us to set up an 804 or 686 number for your Virginia business.
How to get an 804 area code number
Sign up with a VoIP provider such as My Country Mobile, search available numbers in either 804 or 686, and pick a prefix tied to the part of the capital region your business serves. Most providers can port an existing number over from another carrier, activate a new line same-day, and route calls to any device — desk phone, mobile app, or softphone — without new hardware.
Time zone & how to dial an 804 number
The capital region runs on Eastern Time (ET) — EST (UTC −5) in winter, EDT (UTC −4) during Daylight Saving Time. Ten-digit dialing has been mandatory since July 2022, ahead of the 686 overlay: dial 1, then the area code, then the seven-digit number, for every local call.
Key takeaways
- 804 covers Virginia's capital region — Richmond, Chesterfield, and Henrico — in service since 1973.
- Richmond kept 804 through two later splits (757 in 1996, 434 in 2001) to spare state agencies a renumbering.
- The 686 overlay joined the same territory on February 1, 2024.
- Anchors include state government, VCU and the University of Richmond, and Fort Gregg-Adams.
- Time zone: Eastern (ET), with mandatory 10-digit dialing since July 2022.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 804 area code?
It covers Virginia's capital region, including Richmond, Chesterfield, and Henrico, and has been active since 1973.
Where is the 804 area code located?
East-central Virginia — 31 counties surrounding Richmond, excluding Hampton Roads (757) and south-central Virginia (434).
Is 804 a Florida area code?
No. It has never been assigned to Florida — this is strictly a Virginia code.
What state is the 804 area code in?
Virginia — specifically the capital region, anchored by Richmond.
What time zone is the 804 area code?
Eastern Time Zone (ET) — EST (UTC −5) in winter and EDT (UTC −4) during Daylight Saving Time.
Why does the capital region have two area codes, 804 and 686?
686 was added in 2024 as an overlay after regulators projected 804 would exhaust its number supply; both codes now serve identical territory.
How do I get an 804 area code number?
Sign up with a VoIP provider such as My Country Mobile, search for available numbers in either code, choose a capital-region prefix, select a plan, and activate.
