South Carolina Area Code Information

South Carolina is currently using six area codes. South Carolina utilizes three area code overlay plans. South Carolina has had two area code splits.

Area code 803 originally covered all of South Carolina when it was established in 1947. It was not until forty-eight years later in 1995 that South Carolina experienced sufficient growth in population and telephone use to need an additional area code. It was at that time that area code 803 was split to form area code 864. In 1998 area code 803 was split again to form area code 843.

Today area code 803 covers central South Carolina including Aiken, Columbia, Rock Hill and Sumter. Area codes 864 and 821 cover northwestern South Carolina including Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg. Area code 843 along with area code 854 covers the eastern and coastal areas of the state including Charleston, Hilton Head Island, Florence and Myrtle Beach.

Changes and History of South Carolina Area Codes:

01/01/1947
Area code 803 was put into service. In 1995 area code 803 was split to form area code 864. In 1998 area code 803 was split again to form area code 843.

12/03/1995
Area code 864 was put into service. Area code 864 was created from a split of area code 803.

03/22/1998
Area code 843 was put into service. Area code 843 was created from a split of area code 803.

10/19/2015
Area code 854 was put into service as an overlay of area code 843.

05/26/2020
Area code 839 was put into service as an overlay of area code 803.

08/19/2024
Area code 821 was put into service as an all services overlay of area code 864.