Area Code 404
Georgia
Area code 404 serves Georgia, primarily Atlanta, in the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It has served the region since 01-Jan-1947.
Area Code Splits
Parts of this area code’s original geographic region were later assigned new area codes through splits. When a split occurs, some customers in the original area code region are assigned the new area code.
Split into: area code 706 (Columbus), area code 770 (Atlanta).
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 1,444,103
- Population Density
- 2,269 people/sq miabove U.S. average (U.S.: 93 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $91,490above U.S. median (U.S.: $75,144)
- Poverty Rate
- 13.5%above U.S. average (U.S.: 11.5%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 5.9%above U.S. average (U.S.: 3.6%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+50.4%above U.S. average (U.S.: 33.7%)High School or Lower22.2%
Statistics are population-weighted aggregations from Census ACS 5-year estimates. Population figures are approximate — see Sources & Methodology for details on how area code populations are derived.
See how this area code compares to all US area codes in the Statistics dashboard.
Time Zone
- Eastern Time (ET)
NANPA Relief Status
According to the latest NANPA analysis (July 2026), this area code is not currently listed as exhausting within the next 36 months. No relief planning is in progress for this NPA.
Source: NANPA NPA Relief Planning Reports · See all relief planning statuses
Current Time
Prefix Utilization
Geographic Coverage
State
GA
Major Cities
- Atlanta
- South Fulton
- Sandy Springs
- Roswell
- Johns Creek
- Alpharetta
- Marietta
- Stonecrest
- Brookhaven
- Smyrna
- Dunwoody
- Gainesville
- Newnan
- Mableton
- Peachtree Corners
- Milton
- East Point
- Tucker
- Woodstock
- Douglasville
- Stockbridge
- Canton
- Kennesaw
- Duluth
and 148 more cities
Historical Timeline of Area Code 404
In 1947, AT&T designated area code 404 as one of the original 86 North American area codes, initially covering the entire state of Georgia. Over the following decades, 404 underwent three splits and three overlays, evolving from a statewide identifier to a tightly defined enclave inside Atlanta's Interstate 285 perimeter. The code's history includes a pioneering conservation measure in 1989 and a rare boundary reversal in 1993.
- 1947: Created as an original NANP area code serving all of Georgia. Source: Wikipedia
- 1954: First split created area code area code 912 for southern Georgia. 404 retained the northern half of the state.
- 1989: Interchangeable central office codes introduced October 1, increasing capacity from 640 to 792 central offices and forcing ten-digit dialing in north Georgia years before the rest of the metro region (BellCore IL-89/02-014).
- 1992: Second split created area code area code 706 for nearly all of old 404 territory outside metro Atlanta. 404 contracted to the metro area.
- 1993: Boundary adjustment returned several fast-growing Atlanta exurbs from area code 706 back to 404. Residents complained about forced number changes, and BellCore reversed the split boundaries for those areas (BellCore IL-93/04-016). Area code splits are almost never reversed, making this an unusual regulatory correction.
- 1995: Third split shifted Atlanta's suburban ring to area code area code 770. The boundary follows Interstate 285, contracting 404 to the area inside the Perimeter (BellCore IL-95/06-008).
- 1998: First overlay: area code area code 678 introduced for both 404 and 770, making ten-digit dialing mandatory throughout metro Atlanta. Source: NANPA
- 2001: Second overlay: area code 470 added after 678 exhaustion. Georgia PSC approved in Docket 10448-U. Source: NANPA
- 2013: All available 404 number blocks assigned. NANPA announced exhaustion in November 2013.
- 2022: Third overlay: area code 943 commenced March 15, 2022, as the fifth area code for metro Atlanta. Source: Georgia PSC
Area code 404 remains in service today alongside 678, 470, and 943. The code's boundary evolution reflects Atlanta's rapid suburban growth and the challenges of managing number resources in a fast-growing metropolitan region.
Regulatory History
Between 1989 and 2022, seven regulatory actions reshaped area code 404's numbering capacity, moving from conservation measures to a series of splits and overlays driven by metro Atlanta's rapid population growth.
| Year | Event | Docket | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Interchangeable central office codes introduced | BellCore IL-89/02-014 | Increased capacity from 640 to 792 central offices. Forced ten-digit dialing in north Georgia, a pioneering conservation measure. |
| 1991 | NPA split creating area code 912 | BellCore IL-91/10-058 | Split assigned area code 912 to southern Georgia. 404 retained northern Georgia. |
| 1995 | NPA split creating area code 770 | BellCore IL-95/06-008 | Suburban ring split to 770. 404/770 boundary follows Interstate 285, creating an enclave code. |
| 1997 | Overlay: area code 678 introduced | NANPA PL-102 | 678 overlay for both 404 and 770. Ten-digit dialing mandatory throughout metro Atlanta. Source: NANPA |
| 2001 | Overlay: area code 470 introduced | NANPA PL-269 / GA PSC Docket 10448-U | 470 overlay added after 678 exhaustion. Georgia Public Service Commission approved. |
| 2020 | 943 overlay approved by Georgia PSC | GA PSC (943 approval) | NANPA projected central office prefix shortfall by Q2 2023. Georgia PSC approved 943 overlay. Source: Georgia PSC |
| 2022 | Overlay: area code 943 commenced | NANPA PL-559 | 943 overlay went into effect March 15, 2022, as the fifth area code for metro Atlanta. Source: NANPA |
These regulatory actions spanned 33 years and reflect the rapid growth of metro Atlanta's population and telecommunications demand.
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 404).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fulton, GA | 787,821 | 54.6% |
| DeKalb, GA | 514,783 | 35.6% |
| Clayton, GA | 141,499 | 9.8% |
Area Code 404 Family Tree
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All Descendants
Area code 404 was originally assigned in 01-Jan-1947 to serve GA. Over the years, it has generated 3 descendant area codes through a combination of geographic splits and overlays as demand for telephone numbers grew.
Call Context
This area code serves a major metropolitan region with high population density in GA. The primary city is Atlanta.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 404.
Other Area Codes in Georgia
Area codes that also serve Georgia, linked for easy comparison.