Richmond, Virginia
804 Area Code
Establish a trusted local presence in Richmond and central Virginia with an 804 area code number. Essential for businesses seeking higher pickup rates and local credibility in Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover counties.
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About 804 Area Code
Area code 804 serves Richmond and east-central Virginia, covering the state capital and surrounding communities including Petersburg, Mechanicsville, Hopewell, Colonial Heights and the Northern Neck region. Created on June 24, 1973 as a split from Virginia's original area code 703, 804 originally stretched across the eastern two-thirds of Virginia before later splits carved out other regions. The code spans Richmond City, Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover and more than 25 other counties. The 804 area code supports local voice and SMS-capable numbers used by state government agencies, Fortune 500 headquarters, financial institutions, healthcare systems and businesses throughout this economically vital state capital region.
The 804 region drives Virginia's capital economy, anchored by state government operations (employing nearly 120,000 workers), eight Fortune 500 headquarters (including Capital One, Altria, Dominion Energy, Markel), the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and strong financial services, law, and biotech sectors. Local businesses use 804 numbers for client communication, government agency coordination, financial services, patient scheduling and professional networking. A local area code delivers higher answer rates in a market where state capital presence, Fortune 500 concentration, and professional reputation make regional credibility essential for business success and where a Richmond number signals commitment to the commonwealth's political and economic center.
FoneSwift lists live 804 inventory and capabilities on this page. Search numbers to see which support Voice, SMS and MMS. Area-code availability changes over time. If a local 804 number is not immediately available, the overlay code 686 (introduced in February 2024) serves the same geographic region and provides identical Richmond presence. Both codes require mandatory 10-digit dialing for all calls within the region, a change implemented in October 2021 to accommodate the national 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
If your business targets Richmond, state government or central Virginia, publish numbers in both local and E.164 formats (e.g., (804) 555-1234 and +1 804 555 1234) and register messaging traffic if you plan A2P campaigns. For porting, see our porting guide. Note that 10-digit dialing is mandatory within the 804/686 overlay region for all calls. Keeping the same number preserves client relationships in a market where state government contracting, Fortune 500 partnerships, financial services credibility and legal/professional reputation drive long-term business value and where a capital-city number demonstrates stability and commitment to Virginia's business community.
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| Area code | 804 |
| Primary cities | Richmond, Petersburg, Mechanicsville, Hopewell |
| Counties served | Amelia, Caroline, Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Essex, Gloucester, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Northumberland, Powhatan, Prince George, Richmond, Westmoreland, King George, Louisa, Spotsylvania, Sussex |
| Timezone | America/New York (EST) |
| Created | June 24, 1973 |
| International Format | +1 804 XXX XXXX |
| Local Format | (804) XXX-XXXX |
10-digit dialing is mandatory within and into the 804/686 overlay region for all calls, including local calls. This change was implemented in October 2021. Register A2P messaging for business SMS to comply with US carrier rules (10DLC).
Area code 804 uses Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) and observes Daylight Saving Time (EDT, UTC-4 during summer months). Plan outreach accordingly for time-sensitive calls to state agencies and businesses.
Local numbers are essential for higher answer rates in state government and Fortune 500 markets. The overlay code 686 serves the same geographic region. Consider both 804 and 686 for additional inventory while maintaining Richmond and central Virginia presence.
Quick Facts about 804 Area Code
Interesting tidbits about this area code 804
Virginia's state capital
Richmond became Virginia's capital in 1780, replacing Williamsburg. The city houses the Virginia General Assembly, the Supreme Court of Virginia, and numerous state agencies, making the 804 region the political center of the commonwealth.
Fortune 500 powerhouse
The Richmond metro area is headquarters to eight Fortune 500 companies, including Capital One, Altria, Dominion Energy, Performance Food Group, and Markel. Only five metro areas in the country have more Fortune 500 headquarters.
Federal Reserve Bank
Richmond is one of only 12 cities in the United States with a Federal Reserve Bank. The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond is one of three regional banks (along with New York and San Francisco) that covers a non-state jurisdiction (Washington, D.C.).
Finance concentration
Greater Richmond has the 6th highest concentration of business and finance workers on the East Coast. Major financial institutions include Capital One (operations center), Genworth Financial, and regional banking operations.
Overlay with 686
In February 2024, area code 686 was added as an overlay to 804 due to number exhaustion. Both codes serve the same geographic region and require 10-digit dialing for all local calls. The overlay is expected to provide relief for approximately 32 years.
Split from 703
Area code 804 was created in 1973 when it split from Virginia's original area code 703. The split kept federal agencies in Northern Virginia from having to change numbers while giving Richmond and Hampton Roads their own code.
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How Does Local 804 Phone Numbers Work?
A local business number is a structured telephone identifier that tells networks where to route calls and messages. When you use a 804 number in Richmond and Virginia, the digits signal the international gateway, the geographic region, the local exchange and the specific subscriber, so calls reach the right destination quickly and reliably.
The typical parts of a United States local number are:
- Country code (+1): identifies United States for international routing.
- Area code (804): directs the call to the Richmond / Virginia region.
- Central office / exchange (eg. 555): narrows the call to a local switching area or rate center.
- Subscriber number (eg. 1234): the unique line assigned to a person, extension, or device.
Example formats:
| International Format (E.164) | +1 804 555 1234 |
| Local Format (National) | (804) 555-1234 |
Quick Dialing Guide
The correct formats to reach 804 numbers locally and globally.
From Landlines
Standard United States FormatUse for domestic long-distance calls within United States.
From Mobile
E.164 InternationalThe universal format. Works on any mobile device, anywhere.
International
From abroadDialing from outside United States (exit code 00 varies by country).
With FoneSwift, your 804 number can be instantly configured through our intuitive dashboard. Connect it to call forwarding rules, AI voice agents, IVR menus, or route calls directly to any device. Enable voice, SMS, and MMS capabilities right from your account, no technical setup required. Your number becomes active immediately after purchase, and you can update routing, business hours, and integrations anytime.
For businesses, local numbers offer clear benefits: higher answer rates, stronger local recognition, and better performance for local campaigns and customer trust. Typical business features include call forwarding, call recording, auto-attendants, voicemail-to-email, and multi-device ringing.
Important operational notes:
- SMS & A2P: If you plan to send application-to-person messages from a 804 number, register your traffic where required and follow carrier rules (10DLC/A2P) to avoid deliverability or throughput issues.
- Number Porting: Bring your existing 804number to FoneSwift seamlessly. Our team handles the entire porting process, simply submit your number details and we'll coordinate with your current provider. Porting typically completes within 5-10 business days, and you'll receive updates at each step. There's no service interruption during the transfer.
- Display & formatting: Always publish numbers in both local and E.164 formats so international and mobile users can easily dial.
Ready to get started? Browse available 804 numbers in the phone numbers section above, you'll see real-time availability and can filter by features like voice, SMS, and MMS. Once you find your perfect number, purchase it in seconds and start making calls immediately. Our team is here to help you choose the right setup for your business needs, whether you're setting up AI receptionists, call forwarding, or SMS campaigns. Start your 14-day free trial today, no credit card required.
How to Get a 804 Phone Number
Buying a local 804 phone number using FoneSwift is easy and takes just a few minutes. Follow these simple steps to get your local 804 phone number and start connecting with customers in United States today.
Create a new account on FoneSwift or sign in to your existing account to get started.
Once logged in, you'll be taken to your FoneSwift dashboard where you can manage all your phone numbers and settings.
Click on Settings in the sidebar, then go to "My Numbers" and click the "Add a Number" button.
Choose United States as your country from the dropdown menu.
Select Local as the type of number, then choose the 804 area code from the available options.
Click the "Search" button to see all available phone numbers with the selected area code.
Browse through the available numbers, select one that fits your needs, click "Buy Number", and confirm your purchase.
Your number is now active! Start making and receiving calls from the FoneSwift Dialer immediately.
You can configure your number to handle calls, forward calls, or even create an AI voice agent to handle the calls for you.
Businesses Using 804 Phone Numbers
Richmond hosts state government, Fortune 500 headquarters, financial services, law firms, healthcare and higher education. Local phone numbers are essential for government engagement and business credibility.
State government & public sector
State agencies, Virginia General Assembly offices, judicial system operations and public enterprises use local numbers for constituent services, inter-agency coordination, procurement and communications throughout Virginia's capital city and surrounding region.
Financial services & banking
Banks, insurance companies (Markel, Genworth Financial), credit unions and wealth management firms use local numbers for client communication, account services, investment coordination and financial planning in a region with the 6th highest concentration of finance workers on the East Coast.
Law & professional services
Major law firms (Hunton Andrews Kurth, McGuireWoods, Williams Mullen), consulting companies, accounting practices and business services use local numbers for client communication, case management and professional coordination in the state capital's legal and business community.
Healthcare & biotech
Hospital systems (VCU Health, Bon Secours), the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park, pharmaceutical companies and medical research facilities use local numbers for patient scheduling, clinical coordination, research partnerships and healthcare services.
Higher education
Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, Virginia State University and community colleges use local numbers for admissions, student services, research coordination and alumni relations serving more than 1.2 million enrolled students within 150 miles.
Manufacturing & distribution
Advanced manufacturers (Philip Morris USA, DuPont operations), logistics companies and supply chain operations use local lines for production coordination, vendor communication, distribution scheduling and B2B sales throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
Why Choose 804 Local Phone Number for Your Business?
Discover the advantages of having a local phone number that builds trust, increases engagement, and drives results.
Powerful Features for Your 804 Local Phone Number
Get the most out of your localphone number with FoneSwift's enterprise-grade features designed to help your business communicate more effectively.
Nearby Area Codes
Explore other area codes in the same region to expand your local presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cities use the 804 area code?
When was the 804 area code created?
What is the relationship between 804 and 686 area codes?
Can I get SMS-capable numbers in area code 804?
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 804 numbers?
Is 804 a toll-free code?
How do I buy an 804 local phone number?
Where can I find official coverage or history for 804?
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