Area Code 820
California
Area code 820 serves California, primarily Oxnard, in the Pacific Time (PT) time zone. It is an overlay area code sharing territory with area code 805.
Overlay Area Code
This area code is part of an overlay region, meaning the same geographic area is served by multiple area codes. Overlay codes were introduced to meet growing demand for phone numbers without requiring existing customers to change their numbers.
This area code shares its geographic region with: area code 805 (Oxnard).
In service since: 30-Jun-2018
Demographics
The estimated population served by area code 820 is approximately 1,758,572. The population density is 188 people per square mile, which is higher than the national average of 94. The median household income is $95,977, which is higher than the national median of $78,538. Approximately 36.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national rate of 35.0%. This rate is near the national average. The poverty rate stands at 11.3%, which is near the national rate of 12.4%.
History
Area code 820 serves as an overlay for the same territory as area code 805. It was introduced in 2018 to provide additional phone number capacity for the region. It shares its territory with area code area code 805.
Geographic Coverage
Area code 820 serves California, primarily the Oxnard area, in the Pacific Time (PT). It covers 80 communities. The geographic center of this area code is approximately 34.84°N, 120.05°W.
Demographics & Economics
- Total Population
- 1,758,572
- Population Density
- 188 people/sq miabove U.S. average (U.S.: 94 people/sq mi)
- Median Household Income
- $95,977above U.S. median (U.S.: $78,538)
- Poverty Rate
- 11.3%near U.S. average (U.S.: 12.4%)
- Unemployment Rate
- 5.6%near U.S. average (U.S.: 5.2%)
- Education Attainment
- Bachelor's Degree+36.4%near U.S. average (U.S.: 35.0%)High School or Lower27.0%
Statistics are population-weighted aggregations from Census ACS 5-year estimates.See Sources for details.
Geographic Coverage
State
CA
Major Cities
- Oxnard
- Simi Valley
- Thousand Oaks
- San Buenaventura (Ventura)
- Santa Maria
- Santa Barbara
- Camarillo
- San Luis Obispo
- Lompoc
- Moorpark
- Goleta
- El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles)
- Orcutt
- Santa Paula
- Atascadero
- Eastern Goleta Valley
- Port Hueneme
- Arroyo Grande
- Nipomo
- Fillmore
- Los Osos
- Isla Vista
- Carpinteria
- Grover Beach
and 56 more cities
Time Zone
- Pacific Time (PT)
Current Time
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 820).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Ventura, CA | 851,258 | 48.4% |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 444,878 | 25.3% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 393,673 | 22.4% |
| Los Angeles, CA | 54,933 | 3.1% |
| Kern, CA | 7,314 | 0.4% |
| Monterey, CA | 6,516 | 0.4% |
Call Context
This area code serves the same geographic region as area code 805 in California. It was introduced as an overlay of area code 805, meaning both codes serve the same geographic territory.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 820.
Other Area Codes in California
Area codes that also serve California, linked for easy comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about area code 820 and how phone numbering works.
Phone numbers are assigned based on where the number was originally provisioned, not the caller's current location. Mobile phones retain their number when users move, and businesses may use numbers from regions where they don't have a physical presence. VoIP services can also provision numbers from virtually any area code.
Yes, mobile phones can have numbers from any area code in the region they were activated. Wireless carriers assign numbers from available pools regardless of phone type. When users change carriers or move to new areas, they typically keep their original number, which may have a different area code than their current location.
Start by looking up the area code on this site to understand its general geographic region. For the specific number, options include using your carrier's caller ID features or checking public directories. If you suspect fraud, you can report it to the FTC. To file a complaint about robocalls or spoofed numbers, visit the FCC Consumer Complaint Center. You can also register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unwanted calls. Keep in mind that caller ID can display any name the caller chooses to set.
When an area's pool of available phone numbers runs low, regulators may introduce an "overlay" area code that covers the same geographic territory as the original. Both codes coexist, and new numbers are assigned from whichever code has availability. This area code shares its region with area code 805, area code 805. Learn more in our overlay vs split guide.
While Oxnard is a prominent city in this area code's coverage, the code serves the broader surrounding region as well. Area codes are assigned geographically and typically cover multiple cities, towns, and communities beyond any single anchor city.
New area codes are introduced when existing codes in a region approach exhaustion of available number combinations. The telecommunications industry and regulatory bodies plan these additions years in advance to ensure seamless transitions. Recent codes are typically overlays, sharing territory with established codes.