United States flagWest Virginia, United States·+1

Charleston, West Virginia

304 Area Code

Establish a trusted local presence across all of West Virginia with a 304 area code number. Perfect for businesses that want higher pickup rates and local credibility throughout the Mountain State, from Charleston to Morgantown.

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About 304 Area Code

Area code 304 serves the entire state of West Virginia, making it one of the original North American area codes established in 1947. Covering all major population centers including Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Parkersburg and Wheeling, 304 spans all 55 counties across the Mountain State. The code supports local voice and SMS-capable numbers used by businesses, healthcare providers, educational institutions and community organizations throughout West Virginia's diverse urban and rural landscapes. In 2009, area code 681 was added as an overlay, making West Virginia the first state to implement a statewide overlay plan.

The 304 region is powered by energy production (coal and natural gas), chemical manufacturing, healthcare, tourism and education. West Virginia University and major medical centers drive steady demand for business communications in Morgantown and Charleston. Local businesses use 304 numbers for patient care coordination, customer support, field operations and service delivery. A local 304 number delivers higher answer rates than toll-free alternatives because it signals genuine West Virginia presence and matches expectations in communities where local identity and Appalachian heritage matter.

FoneSwift lists live 304 inventory and capabilities on this page. Search numbers to see which ones support Voice, SMS and MMS. Area-code availability typically remains steady, though specific prefixes can vary as new numbers are assigned from both 304 and 681 pools. If a particular 304 number isn't immediately available, similar results often appear as our system refreshes inventory from carrier partners.

If your business targets West Virginia customers or regional markets in the central Appalachian region, publish numbers in both local and E.164 formats (e.g., (304) 555-1234 and +1 304 555 1234) for maximum accessibility. Register messaging traffic if you plan A2P campaigns to ensure deliverability. For porting, see our porting guide. Many West Virginia businesses value the 304 area code as an important part of their regional identity and connection to the Mountain State.


CountryUnited States
StateWest Virginia
Area code304
Primary citiesCharleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Wheeling
Counties servedBarbour, Berkeley, Boone, Braxton, Brooke, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Marshall, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mineral, Mingo, Monongalia, Monroe, Morgan, Nicholas, Ohio, Pendleton, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Preston, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Summers, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Wayne, Webster, Wetzel, Wirt, Wood, Wyoming
TimezoneAmerica/New York (EST)
CreatedOctober 1, 1947
International Format+1 304 XXX XXXX
Local Format(304) XXX-XXXX

10-digit dialing is mandatory within and into the 304 region following the 2009 overlay implementation with area code 681. Register A2P messaging for business SMS to comply with U.S. carrier rules (10DLC).


Area code 304 uses Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) and observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4) from early March to early November. Business hours typically align with Eastern Time.


Local numbers are commonly used for higher answer rates and regional trust throughout West Virginia. The 304 area code carries strong brand identity and Mountain State pride, making it valuable for businesses targeting West Virginia customers and communities statewide.

Quick Facts about 304 Area Code

Interesting tidbits about this area code 304

Original 1947 area code

Area code 304 was created in 1947 as one of the original 86 area codes established by AT&T and the Bell System. It has served West Virginia continuously for over 75 years.

Entire state coverage

The 304 area code covers all 55 counties in West Virginia. The middle digit zero originally indicated it served an entire state, a design rule used by the Bell System until 1953.

First statewide overlay

When area code 681 was added in 2009, West Virginia became the first state previously served by a single code to implement a statewide overlay plan, avoiding the disruption of splitting the state.

Over 60 years solo

Area code 304 was the only area code for West Virginia for over 60 years, from 1947 until 2009. This longevity reflects the state's stable population and careful telecommunications planning.

Mountain State identity

The 304 area code has become deeply connected to West Virginia identity and pride. Many businesses use 304 in their branding to emphasize their Mountain State roots and local authenticity.

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How Does Local 304 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 304 number in Charleston and West 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 (304): directs the call to the Charleston / West 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)+1 304 555 1234
Local Format (National)(304) 555-1234

Quick Dialing Guide

The correct formats to reach 304 numbers locally and globally.

From Landlines

Standard United States Format

Use for domestic long-distance calls within United States.

From Mobile

E.164 International

The universal format. Works on any mobile device, anywhere.

International

From abroad

Dialing from outside United States (exit code 00 varies by country).


With FoneSwift, your 304 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 304 number, register your traffic where required and follow carrier rules (10DLC/A2P) to avoid deliverability or throughput issues.
  • Number Porting: Bring your existing 304number 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 304 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 304 Phone Number

Buying a local 304 phone number using FoneSwift is easy and takes just a few minutes. Follow these simple steps to get your local 304 phone number and start connecting with customers in United States today.

1

Create a new account on FoneSwift or sign in to your existing account to get started.

2

Once logged in, you'll be taken to your FoneSwift dashboard where you can manage all your phone numbers and settings.

3

Click on Settings in the sidebar, then go to "My Numbers" and click the "Add a Number" button.

4

Choose United States as your country from the dropdown menu.

5

Select Local as the type of number, then choose the 304 area code from the available options.

6

Click the "Search" button to see all available phone numbers with the selected area code.

7

Browse through the available numbers, select one that fits your needs, click "Buy Number", and confirm your purchase.

8

Your number is now active! Start making and receiving calls from the FoneSwift Dialer immediately.

9

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 304 Phone Numbers

West Virginia's economy is driven by energy production, chemical manufacturing, healthcare, education and tourism. Local phone numbers are widely used for customer-facing operations, field coordination and building trust throughout the Mountain State.

Energy & natural resources

Coal mining, natural gas extraction and power generation operations use local numbers for safety communications, field coordination, equipment scheduling and regulatory compliance. Energy remains a foundational component of West Virginia's economy.

Chemical manufacturing

Chemical plants, pharmaceutical manufacturers and polymer producers in the Kanawha and Ohio River valleys use local numbers for supply chain coordination, quality control, safety communications and B2B relationships.

Healthcare & medical services

Hospitals, clinics, rural health centers and telehealth providers use local numbers for appointment reminders, patient outreach, care coordination and emergency services. Local area codes improve answer rates in close-knit communities.

Higher education & research

Universities, community colleges and research institutions use local numbers for admissions, student services, campus operations and community outreach. West Virginia University and Marshall University drive significant communications demand.

Tourism & hospitality

Resorts, ski areas, outdoor recreation outfitters and historic sites use local numbers for reservations, guest services and visitor information. Tourism generates substantial economic impact, with attractions like The Greenbrier and New River Gorge.

Manufacturing & automotive

Auto parts manufacturers, aerospace suppliers, wood products companies and industrial operations use local phone lines for production coordination, quality assurance, logistics and customer communications.

Why Choose 304 Local Phone Number for Your Business?

Discover the advantages of having a local phone number that builds trust, increases engagement, and drives results.

Local Trust
A local phone number signals a nearby presence. Customers are more likely to answer and convert when they see a familiar code on caller ID.
Local Presence
Appear local in business listings and directories; a regional number increases relevance and attracts more nearby customers.
Higher Answer Rates
Local phone numbers generally receive higher answer and callback rates than toll-free lines, helping you connect with leads faster.
Two-Way SMS
Send and receive SMS/MMS using a regional number for appointment reminders, promotions, and customer support—improving engagement and delivery.
Campaign Tracking
Assign local numbers to specific campaigns or locations to track call sources, measure ROI, and optimize marketing by region.
Smart Routing
Leverage call routing, recording and analytics on local numbers to optimize staffing, monitor quality, and comply with regional telecom rules.

Nearby Area Codes

Explore other area codes in the same region to expand your local presence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cities and areas use the 304 area code?

The 304 area code covers the entire state of West Virginia, including all major cities such as Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Wheeling, Martinsburg, Beckley, Clarksburg and every town and county statewide.

When was the 304 area code created?

Area code 304 was created in October 1947 as one of the original 86 area codes established by AT&T and the Bell System under the North American Numbering Plan. It has served West Virginia continuously since then.

Is 304 the only area code for West Virginia?

No, West Virginia now has two area codes. Area code 681 was added in 2009 as an overlay to 304, covering the same geographic area. Both codes serve the entire state, and 10-digit dialing is required for all calls.

Can I get SMS-capable numbers in area code 304?

Yes, FoneSwift lists live availability for 304 numbers that support Voice and SMS (availability depends on inventory). Use the number search on this page to see current capabilities for each number.

Do I need to dial 10 digits for 304 numbers?

Yes. Since February 2009, 10-digit dialing (area code plus seven-digit number) has been mandatory for all calls within and into West Virginia due to the overlay of area codes 304 and 681.

What time zone does area code 304 use?

Area code 304 uses Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) and observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4) from early March to early November.

Is 304 a toll-free code?

No, 304 is a geographic (local) area code for West Virginia. For national reach you could use toll-free numbers, but geographic numbers tend to perform better for local trust and higher answer rates in West Virginia.

How do I buy a 304 local phone number?

Search for 304 numbers in the availability widget above, choose capabilities (Voice/SMS/MMS), then complete checkout. You can configure routing, IVR and integrations immediately after purchase.

How can I port my existing number into FoneSwift?

Porting depends on your current carrier. If the number is geographically portable and both carriers support porting, we coordinate the transfer. Typical port times are 5 to 10 business days. Start a port request from your FoneSwift dashboard.

Where can I find official coverage or history for 304?

Authoritative sources include the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) and the 304 area code Wikipedia page for history, service-area boundaries and technical details.
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