904 Area Code: Cities, Counties & the 324 Overlay

What the 904 Area Code Tells You About Northeast Florida

Dial a number that starts with 904 and you've reached the First Coast — Jacksonville, the beaches, and the historic towns stretched along Florida's northeast corner. It's one of the state's oldest area codes, and in 2024 it picked up a companion that changed how everyone in the region dials.

Here's what's actually changed, where 904 reaches, and what it means whether you're calling a number or claiming one.

WHERE THE 904 AREA CODE REACHES

The 904 numbering plan covers most of the First Coast region of Northeast Florida. It's a compact, recognizable footprint that's been tied to the Jacksonville metro for decades.

Counties Served

Seven counties fall inside the plan, anchored by the Jacksonville metro:

• Duval County — Jacksonville and the urban core
• St. Johns County — St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra
• Clay County — Orange Park and Green Cove Springs
• Nassau County — Fernandina Beach and Yulee
• Baker, Bradford, and Putnam — surrounding communities

Cities and Towns Inside the Plan

Around 25 cities use the code. The headline names: Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, St. Augustine, Fleming Island, Orange Park, and Yulee.

That mix — a major city, beach towns, and the nation's oldest city — is why a 904 number reads as genuinely local across the whole region.

THE 324 OVERLAY: WHAT CHANGED IN 2024

If you've noticed 324 numbers showing up, that's the new overlay. NANPA announced it on June 3, 2022, and it went into service on February 26, 2024.

Why an Overlay Instead of a Split

A split would have forced existing customers in part of the region to change their numbers. An overlay avoids that — 324 simply sits on top of the same geography, adding fresh number inventory as the old supply runs low.

What an Overlay Means for You

Nobody's number changes. New lines may be assigned 324 instead of 904, so two neighbors can now sit in different codes. Both serve the identical area.

If you already have a 904 line, the takeaway is simple: a 904 number is now a small badge of seniority in the region, since the freshest inventory carries the 324 code.

TIME ZONE AND DIALING RULES

The 904 region sits in the Eastern Time Zone and observes daylight saving time — same clock as New York, Atlanta, and Miami.

10-Digit Dialing Is Now Mandatory

Because 904 and 324 share territory, every local call needs the full 10 digits — area code plus the seven-digit number. Dialing just seven digits no longer completes a call.

Calling From Outside the US

From abroad, dial your exit code, then +1, then the 10-digit number. The +1 is the country code for the entire North American Numbering Plan.

Curious about the wider system? Our guide to USA area codes explains how the map fits together.

WHY A 904 NUMBER STILL MATTERS FOR BUSINESS

A local number isn't a vanity detail. For a Jacksonville-area business, it's a quiet signal that you're nearby, reachable, and invested in the community.

The Trust Factor

People answer local calls more often than unknown or out-of-state numbers. A 904 caller ID tells a St. Augustine customer this isn't a cold call from three states away.

You Don't Need a Jacksonville Office

This is where virtual numbers come in. A cloud-based virtual phone system lets a remote team, a startup, or an out-of-state company carry a real 904 number — calls ring wherever your people actually are.

If you're weighing whether a local presence is worth it, a virtual line removes the usual blocker: no lease, no copper, no hardware. You can test the idea in an afternoon.

HOW TO GET A 904 NUMBER

Getting a number tied to this area code is straightforward with a VoIP provider. The whole process is software — no technician visit.

The Basic Steps

1. Pick a plan that matches your call volume and team size.
2. Search available 904 numbers and choose one that's easy to remember.
3. Configure your setup — call forwarding, voicemail, an auto attendant.
4. Go live and start taking calls, usually within minutes.

Already Have a 904 Number?

You can keep it. Number porting moves an existing 904 line to a new provider without changing the digits your customers already know. The losing carrier and the new one handle the transfer between them.

A heads-up: keep your old account active until the port completes. Cancelling early can cancel the number.

STAYING SAFE FROM 904 SPOOFING

A real downside of any well-known area code: scammers spoof it. A fraudulent caller can fake a 904 caller ID to look like a neighbor.

How to Protect Yourself

• Let unknown 904 calls go to voicemail — legitimate callers leave a message.
• Never share card numbers, passwords, or codes with an inbound caller.
• Verify by calling the business back on a number from its official website.

Modern VoIP networks help on the provider side too. STIR/SHAKEN caller authentication is now standard across US carriers and flags many spoofed calls before they ever ring.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The 904 area code is no longer the only game in Northeast Florida — 324 shares the map now, and 10-digit dialing is the new normal. But 904 still carries decades of First Coast recognition, and that recognition is exactly what makes a local number valuable.

If a Jacksonville-area presence fits your plans, the fastest route is a virtual 904 number you can set up today. Start a free trial at mycountrymobile.com — no contract, no credit card, and you can pick your number in a few minutes.

FAQs