New Jersey Area Codes: Complete List & Virtual Number Guide

The state of New Jersey has a rich telecommunication history with multiple area codes serving its northern, central and southern regions. Whether you’re a business owner looking to get a New Jersey virtual phone number or just want to know which area codes cover New Jersey, this guide will help you understand them all.}

From Hoboken to Trenton, every major region of New Jersey is covered by a unique set of area codes like 201, 551, 609, 640, 732, 848, 856, 862, 908, and 973. Each area code tells a story, and today we’ll explore their meanings and uses.

Understanding New Jersey’s Area Code System

New Jersey was one of the first states in the U.S. to receive a distinct area code. The state currently uses multiple area codes, each designated for different geographic zones to handle high call volumes and number demand.

• 201 & 551 – Cover Jersey City, Hoboken and the northern Hudson County region.
• 609 & 640 – Serve southern and central New Jersey including Trenton and Atlantic City.
• 732 & 848 – Used in central coastal areas like New Brunswick and Toms River.
• 856 – Dedicated to the Camden and southern counties.
• 862 & 973 – Northern New Jersey including Newark and Paterson.
• 908 – Covers Union, Somerset and Hunterdon counties.

Overlays were introduced to ensure sufficient number availability. This system keeps NJ connected seamlessly for both residential and business communication.

When and Why New Jersey Area Codes Changed

New Jersey’s area code journey began in 1947 with 201, one of the original 86 codes. With technological expansion and mobile usage rise, more codes were added across the decades.

1. 201 – Created in 1947 for the entire state.
2. 609 – Split from 201 in 1958 to serve southern New Jersey.
3. 908 – Introduced in 1990 for north-central regions.
4. 973 – Added in 1997 to relieve 908.
5. 551 – Overlay for 201 launched in 2001.
6. 848 – Overlay for 732 in 2001.
7. 856 – Created for southern NJ in 1999.
8. 862 – Overlay for 973 in 2001.
9. 640 – Overlay for 609 activated in 2018.

Each addition was approved by the FCC and NANPA. Learn more about the history of U.S. area codes on Wikipedia’s Area Code page.

New Jersey Area Codes with Regions and Counties

Area Code 201 and 551 – Northern New Jersey

Area code 201 was the first assigned to New Jersey and still serves major cities like Jersey City and Hoboken. Jersey City and surrounding areas use 201 and 551.

The overlay 551 was introduced to accommodate the demand for more phone numbers. Together, 201 and 551 represent New Jersey’s earliest communication zone.

Area Code 609 and 640 – Southern and Central New Jersey

609 was split from 201 and remains iconic for southern and central New Jersey. Area code 640 was introduced as an overlay in 2018 to handle growing number needs.

609 serves coastal and capital regions of New Jersey like Atlantic City and Trenton.

Learn more about the New Jersey area code overlay 640 at New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

Area Code 732 and 848 – Central Coastal New Jersey

732 and 848 cover the shoreline and suburban regions like New Brunswick, Asbury Park and Toms River. The 848 overlay was added to ensure availability of new lines.

848 now co-exists with 732, making it easy for businesses to get local numbers without changing existing lines.

For more about central NJ geography, visit Wikipedia’s Central Jersey page.

Area Code 856 – Southwestern New Jersey

To accommodate South Jersey’s demand, 856 was created in 1999. It primarily covers Camden, Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem counties.

Businesses near Philadelphia often choose 856 for local presence across the Delaware River. If you’re targeting customers in Camden County or Gloucester, 856 is your code of choice.

See Wikipedia’s 856 page for more details about coverage and history.

Area Codes 862 and 973 – Northern New Jersey Overlay

The 973 code covers cities like Newark, Paterson, and Morristown. To meet demand, overlay 862 was added in 2001

Both codes represent northern New Jersey’s dense urban centers.

Read the official overlay announcement from the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA).

Area Code 908 – Union and Somerset Regions

908 covers north-central New Jersey areas including Elizabeth, Plainfield, Bridgewater and Summit. It remains one of the most recognizable codes for business owners and residents alike.

If you’re searching “What region covers area code 908 in NJ?” — it includes Union, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Morris Counties.

Learn more about the region’s economy and connectivity at NJ.gov official state portal.

How to Get a New Jersey Virtual Phone Number

Getting a New Jersey virtual number is easy and fast with modern VoIP and cloud communication systems. Here’s how you can set up one today:

1. Visit a reliable VoIP service provider like Bling Cloud CCaaS.
2. Choose your preferred NJ area code – 201, 551, 609, 640, 732, 848, 856, 862, 908, or 973.
3. Select the type of number you need – local, toll-free, or mobile business line.
4. Complete business verification and number setup.
5. Start calling and receiving texts from your NJ business number instantly.

With Bling Cloud’s CCaaS system, you can centralize calls, SMS, and CRM communication from one dashboard. This makes your virtual number a complete communication hub for sales and support.

If you need a local presence in Newark, Jersey City, or Atlantic City without opening an office, a New Jersey virtual phone number helps you achieve that instantly.

Advantages of New Jersey Virtual Numbers

A local area code does more than connect calls—it builds trust and accessibility. Below are the key benefits of using a New Jersey number for your business operations:

• Local Trust: Customers are more likely to answer a call from a local area code like 201 or 732.
• Flexible Growth: Easily add new numbers or agents as your team expands without hardware limitations.
• Cost Efficiency: VoIP systems reduce call rates compared to traditional lines.
• Credibility for Enterprises: A local NJ number adds professionalism for startups and established brands alike.
• Unified Communication: Sync calls and messages directly with your CRM and support tools.
• AI Automation & Analytics: With Bling Cloud CCaaS, you get AI-driven call insights, speech analytics and performance metrics.

Companies across finance, real estate, healthcare, and e-commerce use New Jersey area codes to stay close to their local audience. For example, a startup in California can launch an east-coast sales campaign using a 732 virtual number without opening a physical office.

Check out FCC’s Telephone Numbering Resources for more information on number portability and compliance.

Need help choosing the right area code? Explore Bling Cloud’s Communication Platform as a Service (CCaaS) to compare features and pricing.

Why New Jersey Uses Multiple Area Codes

New Jersey’s dense population and economic diversity have always driven high demand for telephone numbers. Each area code reflects a region’s identity and makes local communication efficient and traceable.

From corporate hubs in Jersey City to shore towns along Atlantic City, each region depends on its area code for smooth connectivity

As new technologies like VoIP and AI communication platforms emerged, New Jersey businesses began moving toward virtual phone systems that allow flexible, scalable numbers across regions.

Business Value of a Local New Jersey Presence

Today, companies across the United States are turning to New Jersey virtual numbers to expand their market reach. A virtual NJ number helps them connect with clients, run campaigns, and manage support without setting up physical offices.

VoIP systems like Bling Cloud CCaaS offer an all-in-one communication platform combining calls, SMS, CRM integration, and AI automation. This system helps teams handle leads, support, and campaigns under one virtual New Jersey number.

If your company is planning to enter the East Coast market, a New Jersey business number is a strategic start to connect with customers in cities like Newark, Hoboken, and Trenton.

You can even port your existing number to an NJ code for local recognition using compliant number portability processes, as defined by the National NANPA.

Learn More About NJ Communication Infrastructure

• Wikipedia – Area Codes 201 & 551
• Wikipedia – Area Codes 609 & 640
• Wikipedia – Area Codes 732 & 848
• Wikipedia – Area Code 856
• Wikipedia – Area Codes 862 & 973
• FCC – Telephone Numbering Resources
• New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
• North American Numbering Plan Administrator
• Wikipedia – Telephone Numbers in the U.S.
• YouTube – How Area Codes Work Explained

All these resources provide deeper insight into the structure, regulation, and importance of New Jersey area codes for local and international communication.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a resident curious about “what are the area codes for New Jersey” or a business searching “how to get a virtual phone number with a New Jersey area code,” this guide has everything you need.

From 201 to 973, each area code contributes to the Garden State’s strong communication ecosystem. As technology evolves, virtual phone numbers and AI-powered VoIP platforms like Bling Cloud are redefining how businesses connect with customers in New Jersey and beyond.

Common Questions on NJ Virtual Numbers