Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Beaufort, and Hilton Head Island share the 843 area code, covering the Lowcountry and Pee Dee regions along South Carolina's coast. It split off from 803 on March 22, 1998, taking the entire coastline and southern tip while 803 kept the Midlands. In 2015, an overlay, 854, joined the same coastal footprint — making 843 the first South Carolina territory to ever need one.
This guide covers 843's counties and cities, the split-then-overlay history that shaped today's coastline, what's driving one of the state's fastest-growing economies, how 843 and 854 work together, and how much room is left in the numbering pool.
Counties and cities at a glance
| City | County | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston | Charleston | Lowcountry core |
| Myrtle Beach | Horry | Grand Strand |
| Beaufort | Beaufort | Southern Lowcountry |
| Hilton Head Island | Beaufort | Coastal resort area |
| Florence | Florence | Pee Dee |
| Georgetown | Georgetown | Coastal Pee Dee |
From a 1998 split to South Carolina's first overlay
March 22, 1998 — 843 split off from 803, taking the entire South Carolina coastline and southern tip while Columbia and the Midlands kept 803.
2015 — 854 launched as an all-services overlay on the same 843 footprint, making this the first territory in South Carolina to ever need one — a direct result of the coastal population and tourism boom. Mandatory ten-digit dialing followed on September 19, 2015.
What's driving one of the coast's fastest-growing economies
Coastal South Carolina blends tourism with shipping and military anchors:
Tourism Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand and Hilton Head's resorts draw millions of visitors a year, each adding seasonal business lines.
Port of Charleston One of the busiest container ports on the East Coast anchors a large logistics and shipping workforce.
Military installations Joint Base Charleston and the Marine Corps installations near Beaufort and Parris Island add a steady base of military and civilian support lines.
Many of these coastal 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 seasonal staff or new locations along the coast, the same pattern behind newer overlays like 840 in Southern California's Inland Empire. Contact us to set up an 843 or 854 number for your South Carolina business.
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How 843 and 854 work together
Since 854 is an overlay rather than a separate region, both codes cover identical coastal territory at identical rates. Longtime coastal businesses often still carry 843 for its name recognition with tourists and locals alike, while newer lines are increasingly assigned 854 as available 843 prefixes run thinner.
Number availability along the coast
As South Carolina's first-ever overlay territory, 843/854's numbering pressure reflects just how fast the coast has grown compared to the rest of the state — the combined pool now has considerably more headroom than 843 alone had left by the early 2010s.
Time zone & how to dial an 843 number
Coastal South Carolina runs on Eastern Time (ET) — EST (UTC −5) in winter, EDT (UTC −4) during Daylight Saving Time. Ten-digit dialing has been mandatory since September 19, 2015: dial 1, then the area code, then the seven-digit number, for every local call.
Key takeaways
- 843 covers coastal South Carolina — Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Beaufort, and Hilton Head — since splitting from 803 in 1998.
- It became South Carolina's first overlay territory when 854 launched in 2015.
- Anchors include tourism, the Port of Charleston, and military installations near Beaufort.
- Both 843 and 854 cover identical territory at identical rates.
- Time zone: Eastern (ET), with mandatory 10-digit dialing since September 2015.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 843 area code?
It covers coastal South Carolina, including Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Hilton Head Island, and has been active since 1998.
Where is the 843 area code located?
South Carolina's Lowcountry and Pee Dee regions, running the length of the state's Atlantic coastline.
Is 843 a Florida area code?
No. It has never been assigned to Florida — this is strictly a South Carolina code.
What state is the 843 area code in?
South Carolina — specifically the coastal Lowcountry and Pee Dee regions.
What time zone is the 843 area code?
Eastern Time Zone (ET) — EST (UTC −5) in winter and EDT (UTC −4) during Daylight Saving Time.
Why does the coast have two area codes, 843 and 854?
854 was added in 2015 as an overlay after regulators determined 843 would run short on numbers due to rapid coastal growth — the first such overlay in South Carolina.
How do I get an 843 area code number?
Sign up with a VoIP provider such as My Country Mobile, search for available numbers in either code, choose a coastal South Carolina prefix, select a plan, and activate.
