Frequently Asked Questions
North Charleston, South Carolina, is served by area codes 843 and 854. Area code 854 was added as an overlay to 843 in 2015 due to the region's growth and increased demand for phone numbers. Both area codes cover the same geographic area in eastern South Carolina.
Area code 854 was implemented in North Charleston, SC, and the surrounding 843 region because of the increasing demand for telephone numbers. The growing population and businesses exhausted available numbers in the 843 area code. The 854 overlay adds more numbers without splitting existing geographic areas.
Dialing an 854 number requires the full 10 digits (area code + 7-digit number), even for local calls. This is due to the overlay structure with area code 843 covering the same area. For long-distance calls, dial 1 before the 10-digit number. Remember to always dial the area code, even for local calls within the 843/854 region.
Besides North Charleston, area code 854 covers other cities like Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, and Goose Creek. The 854 area code, overlayed with 843, serves a broad region in eastern South Carolina, including several counties like Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Horry, Beaufort, and Florence.
Ten-digit dialing (area code + number) became mandatory for all calls within the 843/854 region in September 2015. This was implemented when the 854 area code was introduced as an overlay. This applies to all local calls within the area.
Make sure all your contacts include the area code (either 843 or 854) for numbers in the eastern South Carolina region. Since 10-digit dialing is mandatory, including the correct area code is essential for calls to connect properly.
Charleston, SC uses area codes 843 and 854. Area code 854 is an overlay for 843, meaning they serve the same geographic region. The overlay was implemented to accommodate growth and the increased demand for phone numbers.
Area code 854, along with 843, covers several counties in eastern South Carolina, including Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Horry, Beaufort, and Florence. This broad coverage contributes to the high demand for phone numbers, which is a key reason for the 854 overlay.
Contact various service providers in the eastern South Carolina region to check the availability of 854 numbers, as availability can fluctuate. Number porting is also an option, allowing you to transfer your existing number to a new provider within the 854 area code.
The South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) oversees telecommunications utilities within the state, including the 854/843 area. They ensure compliance with regulations and promote universal service, maintaining a fair and competitive environment.
Major carriers operating in the 854/843 area include national providers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, alongside smaller regional carriers. The competitive market provides residents and businesses with various service plans and options.
While the article doesn't specify how to report scams, it advises caution regarding unsolicited calls from any area code, including 854. Contacting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for resources and tips on identifying and avoiding such scams may be helpful.
Area Code 854: Complete Guide to North Charleston, SC Coverage and Dialing
What Is Area Code 854 in North Charleston?
Area code 854 is an overlay area code serving North Charleston, SC and the broader eastern South Carolina region. Introduced in 2015 alongside the existing 843 area code, area code 854 covers the same geographic area to meet growing demand for phone numbers. If you live or work in North Charleston, you'll use 10-digit dialing for all local calls—even within the same area code. This guide explains how the 854 overlay works, which cities it covers, and what you need to know about dialing and number availability.
Where Is Area Code 854 Located? Geographic Coverage
Area code 854 overlays the existing 843 area code. Both codes serve the same geographic region in eastern South Carolina. These area codes share identical geographic footprints – when you dial either 843 or 854, you're calling the same region.
What Cities and Counties Does Area Code 854 Cover?
While North Charleston is the focal point, area code 854 covers a broader area including:
Beyond these key cities, area code 854 extends across six counties: Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Horry, Beaufort, and Florence. This broad coverage drove the high demand for telephone numbers, which led to the introduction of the 854 overlay.
When Was Area Code 854 Introduced? Implementation Timeline
Area code 854 was introduced in response to the region's growth and increased demand for telephone numbers.
Why Was the 854 Area Code Added?
As population and businesses in the 843 area code region grew, available phone numbers dwindled. The South Carolina Public Service Commission approved the 854 overlay on December 16, 2013, after determining that area code 843 would exhaust its available prefixes by 2015.
Key Implementation Milestones:
This overlay allows multiple area codes to coexist within the same geographic area, effectively increasing the pool of available numbers. This approach avoids the disruption of splitting existing geographic areas into smaller ones with new area codes. Source: South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff 843/854 Overlay FAQs.
Key Telecommunications Players
Several major carriers operate within the 854/843 area:
National Carriers:
These providers, along with smaller regional carriers, create a competitive market with various plans and options. The South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) oversees telecommunications utilities in the state, ensuring compliance with regulations and promoting universal service.
How to Dial Area Code 854: Required 10-Digit Dialing Procedures
With the introduction of the 854 overlay, 10-digit dialing became mandatory on September 19, 2015, for all calls within the 843/854 region, even for local calls. Follow these dialing procedures:
Common Dialing Mistakes:
Mistake: Dialing only 7 digits for local calls
Mistake: Forgetting to dial 1 for long-distance calls
Remember: Always dial the area code, even for local calls within the 843/854 region.
Getting an 854 Phone Number: Availability and Porting
The 854 overlay significantly expands the number pool, but availability fluctuates. Contact your service provider to check current availability.
How to Port Your Number to 854 Area Code
Number porting lets you transfer your existing number from one carrier to another within the 854 area code. Businesses benefit from maintaining their established phone number while switching providers.
Porting Process:
Important Porting Details:
For more information on phone number formats and dialing, see our guide on E.164 phone number format.
Frequently Asked Questions About 854 Area Code
Common questions about area code 854:
What is area code 854?
Area code 854 overlays area code 843 in eastern South Carolina. It was introduced in 2015 to accommodate growing demand for phone numbers.
Why was area code 854 introduced?
Population and business growth created a shortage of available phone numbers within the existing 843 area code. The 854 overlay provides additional numbering resources.
How do I dial a number with area code 854?
Always dial the full 10-digit number (area code + local number), even for local calls within the 843/854 region. For long-distance calls, dial 1 before the 10-digit number.
What are some common scams involving area code 854?
Scammers can use any area code, including 854. Watch for these red flags:
Common Scam Tactics:
What to Do If You Receive a Scam Call:
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provides additional resources for identifying and avoiding phone scams at fcc.gov/scams.
Troubleshooting and Best Practices for 854 Area Code
Follow these tips for smooth transition and optimal use of area code 854:
Personal Users
Business Checklist
For businesses operating in the 854/843 region:
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Call Won't Connect
Wrong Number Reached
Device Not Recognizing Format
Conclusion: Understanding 854 Area Code in North Charleston
Area code 854 forms an integral part of the telecommunications infrastructure in North Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry region. The Charleston-North Charleston metro area population grew 1.8% from 2021 to 2022, reaching 734,000 residents – growth three times faster than the U.S. average. The introduction of 854 in 2015 directly responded to the projected exhaustion of 843 prefixes. Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Your Next Steps:
If you're looking for phone numbers in other South Carolina regions, explore our guides to area code 803 and area code 864.
Additional Resources:
Remember: Always dial 10 digits for all calls within the 843/854 area and stay vigilant against phone scams.