Area Code 843

South Carolina

Area code 843 serves South Carolina, primarily Charleston, in the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It has served the region since 22-Mar-1998.

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 854 (Charleston).

With prefix utilization already at 97.9%, numbering resources here are under sustained pressure — context that explains why overlays were introduced.

In service since: 22-Mar-1998

Learn more about overlay and split area codes →

Demographics & Economics

Total Population
2,723,467
Population Density
137 people/sq mi
above U.S. average (U.S.: 95 people/sq mi)
Median Household Income
$78,198
near U.S. median (U.S.: $80,734)
Poverty Rate
14.5%
above U.S. average (U.S.: 12.5%)
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
near U.S. average (U.S.: 5.2%)
Education Attainment
Bachelor's Degree+
32.1%
below U.S. average (U.S.: 35.7%)
High School or Lower
31.4%

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

Eastern Time (ET)
 
 

Prefix Utilization

Geographic Coverage

State

SC

Major Cities

  • Charleston
  • North Charleston
  • Mount Pleasant
  • Summerville
  • Goose Creek
  • Florence
  • Hilton Head Island
  • Myrtle Beach
  • Bluffton
  • Carolina Forest
  • Conway
  • Socastee
  • Hanahan
  • North Myrtle Beach
  • Red Hill
  • Ladson
  • Port Royal
  • Moncks Corner
  • Beaufort
  • James Island
  • Little River
  • Murrells Inlet
  • Litchfield Beach
  • Hardeeville

and 121 more cities

Area Code 843 geographic coverage map (light mode)

Demographics

The estimated population served by area code 843 is approximately 2,723,467. The population density is 137 people per square mile, which is higher than the national average of 95. The median household income is $78,198, which is near the national median of $80,734. Approximately 32.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national rate of 35.7%. This rate is lower than the national average. The poverty rate stands at 14.5%, which is higher than the national rate of 12.5%.

History

Area code 843 was established in 1998 as a geographic area code. It shares its territory with area code area code 854.

County Coverage

Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 843).

CountyPopulationShare
Charleston, SC598,08122.0%
Horry, SC381,60314.0%
Berkeley, SC357,21013.1%
Dorchester, SC279,37810.3%
Beaufort, SC208,1347.6%
Florence, SC153,1455.6%
Darlington, SC141,2975.2%
Georgetown, SC95,5443.5%
Williamsburg, SC85,5273.1%
Chesterfield, SC75,5272.8%
Dillon, SC58,2782.1%
Jasper, SC55,0752.0%
Colleton, SC53,7782.0%
Marlboro, SC45,4771.7%
Marion, SC38,1161.4%
Lee, SC37,6231.4%
Clarendon, SC22,8760.8%
Orangeburg, SC12,5380.5%
Kershaw, SC6,4450.2%
Sumter, SC5,8400.2%
Hampton, SC5,8070.2%
Lancaster, SC4,0490.1%
Bamberg, SC2,1190.1%

Area Code 843 Family Tree

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803839843864854821
2
Total Codes
0
Splits
1
Overlays
1
Max Depth

All Descendants

Code ▲StateType In Service Parent
854SCoverlay19-Oct-2015843

Area code 843 was originally assigned in 22-Mar-1998 to serve SC. Over the years, it has generated 1 descendant area code through a combination of geographic splits and overlays as demand for telephone numbers grew.

Call Context

Metropolitan area

This area code covers a metropolitan region in SC with moderate to high population density, centered on Charleston and surrounding communities.

Nearby Area Codes

Area codes geographically closest to 843.

Area code 803 map card showing Columbia (light mode)
803SCColumbiaEastern Time (ET)Geographic
Area code 839 map card showing Columbia (light mode)
839SCColumbiaEastern Time (ET)Overlay
Area code 472 map card showing Fayetteville (light mode)
472NCFayettevilleEastern Time (ET)Overlay
Area code 910 map card showing Fayetteville (light mode)
910NCFayettevilleEastern Time (ET)Geographic

Other Area Codes in South Carolina

Area codes that also serve South Carolina, linked for easy comparison.