Area Code 804
Virginia
Area code 804 serves Virginia, primarily Richmond, in the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It has served the region since 24-Jun-1973.
Published: Verified against NANPA and FCC records
Overlay Area Code
This area code shares its geographic footprint with an overlay code, so the same cities are served by two area codes. Because overlays leave existing numbers untouched, this region's relief planning favors adding codes over redrawing boundaries.
The codes serving this same region: area code 686 (Richmond).
With prefix utilization already at 97.6%, numbering resources here are under sustained pressure — context that explains why overlays were introduced.
In service since: 24-Jun-1973
Area Code Splits
2 area codes have been carved out of this code's original territory through geographic splits. Each split was a relief action: as demand grew, part of the region was reassigned to a new code rather than overlaying the whole territory.
Split into: area code 434 (Lynchburg), area code 757 (Virginia Beach).
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 2,526,163
- Population Density
- 171 people/sq miabove U.S. average (U.S.: 95 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $88,783near U.S. median (U.S.: $80,734)
- Poverty Rate
- 10.1%below U.S. average (U.S.: 12.5%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 4.5%below U.S. average (U.S.: 5.2%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+38.3%near U.S. average (U.S.: 35.7%)High School or Lower29.4%
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 income ranking and density ranking.
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
VA
Major Cities
- Richmond
- Tuckahoe
- Mechanicsville
- Petersburg
- Short Pump
- Chester
- Hopewell
- Meadowbrook
- Midlothian
- Colonial Heights
- Laurel
- Bon Air
- Glen Allen
- East Highland Park
- Highland Springs
- Brandermill
- Lakeside
- Manchester
- Wyndham
- Gloucester Point
- Rockwood
- Montrose
- Innsbrook
- Bellwood
and 47 more cities
Demographics
The estimated population served by area code 804 is approximately 2,526,163. The population density is 171 people per square mile, which is higher than the national average of 95. The median household income is $88,783, which is near the national median of $80,734. Approximately 38.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national rate of 35.7%. This rate is near the national average. The poverty rate stands at 10.1%, which is lower than the national rate of 12.5%.
History
Area code 804 was established in 1973 as a geographic area code. Over time, area code area code 434 was split from 804. It shares its territory with area code area code 686.
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 804).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Chesterfield, VA | 517,717 | 20.5% |
| Henrico, VA | 422,387 | 16.7% |
| Richmond city, VA | 415,392 | 16.4% |
| Hanover, VA | 172,538 | 6.8% |
| Powhatan, VA | 128,572 | 5.1% |
| Goochland, VA | 122,225 | 4.8% |
| Prince George, VA | 81,541 | 3.2% |
| Dinwiddie, VA | 76,751 | 3.0% |
| Petersburg city, VA | 63,179 | 2.5% |
| Charles City, VA | 49,867 | 2.0% |
| Gloucester, VA | 41,460 | 1.6% |
| Caroline, VA | 39,882 | 1.6% |
| Cumberland, VA | 33,303 | 1.3% |
| Hopewell city, VA | 31,432 | 1.2% |
| New Kent, VA | 30,434 | 1.2% |
| Westmoreland, VA | 27,226 | 1.1% |
| Spotsylvania, VA | 27,197 | 1.1% |
| Colonial Heights city, VA | 26,752 | 1.1% |
| King William, VA | 22,026 | 0.9% |
| King and Queen, VA | 18,269 | 0.7% |
| Northumberland, VA | 18,164 | 0.7% |
| Lancaster, VA | 17,821 | 0.7% |
| Richmond, VA | 17,053 | 0.7% |
| Louisa, VA | 17,034 | 0.7% |
| Amelia, VA | 16,309 | 0.6% |
| Sussex, VA | 13,608 | 0.5% |
| Nottoway, VA | 13,444 | 0.5% |
| Essex, VA | 12,435 | 0.5% |
| Middlesex, VA | 12,155 | 0.5% |
| Surry, VA | 12,110 | 0.5% |
| King George, VA | 10,026 | 0.4% |
| Mathews, VA | 8,556 | 0.3% |
| James City, VA | 4,807 | 0.2% |
| Buckingham, VA | 4,491 | 0.2% |
Area Code 804 Family Tree
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All Descendants
Area code 804 was originally assigned in 24-Jun-1973 to serve VA. Over the years, it has generated 4 descendant area codes through a combination of geographic splits and overlays as demand for telephone numbers grew.
Call Context
This area code covers a metropolitan region in VA with moderate to high population density, centered on Richmond and surrounding communities.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 804.
Other Area Codes in Virginia
Area codes that also serve Virginia, linked for easy comparison.