Understanding New Jersey Telephone Area Codes
If you're living in, moving to, or doing business in New Jersey, understanding area codes is essential. Whether you're dialing a friend in Newark or receiving a business call from Jersey City, you’ve likely encountered multiple prefixes. New Jersey uses several area codes that are assigned based on geographic regions, growing population, and demand for phone numbers.
This guide breaks down all active area codes in New Jersey by cities and regions. It provides a helpful resource if you're setting up business operations, marketing campaigns, or simply looking to understand who’s calling.
Why New Jersey Has Multiple Area Codes
Area codes aren’t just about geography anymore. They handle the state's population density, mobile use, and the introduction of new telecom lines. New Jersey was one of the original states to receive an area code in 1947. Since then, population growth and technology shifts have led to the introduction of several new ones.
Today, overlapping area codes and overlays are common. You might find cities with more than one code. This setup helps New Jersey manage demand and efficiently assign numbers without creating confusion.
List of New Jersey Area Codes by Region and Major Cities
Here’s a breakdown of area codes based on region and cities to help you quickly identify them.
201 and 551 – Northeast New Jersey (Bergen and Hudson Counties)
- Jersey City
- Hoboken
- Hackensack
- Bayonne
- Englewood
Area code 201 was one of the original codes given in 1947. Due to increased usage, 551 was added as an overlay in 2001.
973 and 862 – Newark and North-Central New Jersey
- Newark
- Paterson
- Morristown
- Clifton
- Montclair
973 was created in 1997 and overlaps with 862, added in 2001. These codes serve areas in Essex, Passaic, Morris, and western Bergen Counties.
908 – Western and Central New Jersey
- Elizabeth
- Plainfield
- Union
- Watchung
- Phillipsburg
This code serves parts of Union, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties. It was split from 201 and 609 in 1991.
609 and 640 – Trenton and South-Central New Jersey
- Trenton
- Hamilton
- Princeton
- Atlantic City
- Burlington
Area code 609 was created in 1958. In 2018, 640 was added as an overlay to accommodate demand. Both cover Mercer, Atlantic, Burlington, and Ocean Counties.
732 and 848 – Shore Area and Central New Jersey
- New Brunswick
- Toms River
- Brick
- Lakewood
- Asbury Park
732 was split from 908 in 1997, and 848 was added in 2001. These serve coastal and central regions with growing suburban populations.
856 – Southwestern New Jersey
- Camden
- Cherry Hill
- Vineland
- Gloucester Township
- Deptford
Introduced in 1999, 856 serves counties like Camden, Gloucester, and parts of Burlington. It was created after splitting from 609 due to growing demand in southern New Jersey.
Overlay vs Split: How New Jersey Area Codes Evolved
An overlay happens when a new code is introduced to the same geographic region as an existing one. This often leads to mandatory 10-digit dialing. A split assigns different codes to neighboring areas, dividing regions by geography.
New Jersey uses both methods. For example:
- Overlay: 201 and 551 cover northeastern cities simultaneously.
- Split: 908 was split from 201 and 609 to serve central-west areas.
How to Identify a New Jersey City by Area Code
While area codes don’t always line up perfectly with political borders, here are some quick tips:
- 201 & 551: North NJ – think Hudson River, near NYC.
- 973 & 862: Urban centers like Newark and Paterson.
- 609 & 640: Capital city Trenton and Atlantic coastline.
- 732 & 848: Jersey Shore and central suburban towns.
- 856: The Philly-adjacent South Jersey region.
You can often narrow down call origins using these patterns, but mobile and VoIP numbers today might be assigned from outside standard regions.
Best Practices for Businesses Using NJ Area Codes
If you own a business or run a call center, aligning with a local area code can improve trust and call response rates. Here’s how you can use New Jersey area codes effectively:
- Local presence: Use numbers that match your customer base.
- Overlays: Be ready for multiple codes in one location.
- Toll-free alternatives: Consider 800, 888, or 877 numbers if statewide reach is needed.
- Multi-code systems: Larger companies might set up call routing using area code-based menus.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey Area Codes
What is the oldest area code in New Jersey?
The oldest area code in New Jersey is 201. It was one of the original area codes assigned in 1947 and originally covered the entire state.
Are 732 and 848 used in the same region?
Yes, 848 is an overlay for the 732 area. Both serve the same central and shore regions of New Jersey.
Why does Jersey City have more than one area code?
Jersey City uses both 201 and 551 due to high population and telecom needs. The 551 area code was added as an overlay to meet demand.
Do I need to dial the area code for local calls in New Jersey?
Yes, because of overlapping area codes and overlays, 10-digit dialing is required even for local calls in most of New Jersey.
Which area code covers Trenton, NJ?
Trenton is served by 609 and its overlay 640. These area codes cover Mercer County and surrounding South-Central New Jersey regions.
