904 area code is one of Florida’s most recognized phone prefixes — and for good reason. It covers Jacksonville, the largest city by area in the contiguous United States, along with dozens of surrounding communities in Northeast Florida.
Whether you received a call from a 904 number, need a local business line, or just want to know where area code 904 is located, this guide covers everything. From its history and the counties it serves, to the new 324 overlay and how to spot scam calls — you’ll find it all right here.
Table of Contents
What Is the 904 Area Code?
The 904 area code is a telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). It primarily serves the northeastern corner of Florida, also known as the First Coast region. It covers both personal landlines and mobile phones, VoIP numbers, and business communication lines across several counties in the Jacksonville metropolitan area.
Quick facts:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| State | Florida |
| Region | Northeast Florida (First Coast) |
| Major City | Jacksonville (Jax) |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Overlay Code | 324 (since Feb 26, 2024) |
| Established | 1965 |
| Population served | ~1.6 million |
Where Is Area Code 904 Located?
Area code 904 covers most of the northeastern region of Florida. It stretches from the Georgia border in the north down through the Jacksonville metro and into St. Johns County to the south.
Counties Covered by Area Code 904
The 904 area code location spans five primary counties:
- Duval County — home to Jacksonville, the region’s urban and economic hub
- St. Johns County — includes St. Augustine and fast-growing suburban communities
- Nassau County — covers Fernandina Beach and Yulee
- Clay County — includes Orange Park and Fleming Island
- Baker County — covers Macclenny and the rural western edge
Major Cities in the 904 Area Code
Some of the most well-known 904 area code cities include:
- Jacksonville (Jax) — the largest city
- St. Augustine — the oldest city in the U.S.
- Fernandina Beach
- Orange Park
- Atlantic Beach
- Jacksonville Beach
- Neptune Beach
- Green Cove Springs
- Yulee
- Middleburg
If you live or do business anywhere in this region, your phone number likely starts with 904 — or the newer 324 overlay.
904 Area Code Time Zone
The 904 time zone follows Eastern Time (ET) — the same zone as New York, Atlanta, and Miami.
- EST (Eastern Standard Time): UTC−5 — observed from November to March
- EDT (Eastern Daylight Time): UTC−4 — observed from March to November
This makes it easy to do business with major East Coast cities without worrying about time zone gaps. If you’re calling a 904 number from the West Coast, remember they are 3 hours ahead of Pacific Time.
History of Area Code 904
Understanding the history of area code 904 helps explain why the region has gone through so many changes over the decades.
Creation in 1965 — The 305 Split
Before 1965, the entire state of Florida operated under a single area code: 305. As Florida’s population boomed, that single code became overwhelmed. In 1965, the northern half of Florida was carved off and assigned area code 904 — making it the 121st area code put into service in the U.S., and the only new area code introduced that year.
Area Code Splits: 352, 850, and 386
Population growth in Florida didn’t slow down. The 904 region kept expanding, and the number pool started running thin. Three major splits followed:
- 1995 — Central Florida (Ocala, Gainesville area) was split off to create area code 352
- 1997 — The Florida Panhandle (Pensacola, Tallahassee, Panama City) became area code 850
- 2001 — The Daytona Beach and surrounding region was separated into area code 386
Each split shrank the geographic footprint of 904, keeping it focused on Jacksonville and the surrounding northeast.
2024 Overlay: Area Code 324
By the early 2020s, Jacksonville’s rapid population growth — up roughly 30% since 2010 — had nearly exhausted the available 904 number pool. Rather than split the region again, the Florida Public Service Commission approved an overlay plan.
On February 26, 2024, area code 324 was officially launched as an overlay to 904. This means both area codes now serve the exact same geographic area. New phone lines may be assigned a 324 number instead of 904.
Important change: 10-digit dialing is now mandatory in the 904/324 region. You must dial the area code for every call — even local ones.
904 Area Code vs. 324 Area Code
Many Northeast Florida residents are asking: what’s the difference between 904 and 324?
| Feature | 904 | 324 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch year | 1965 | 2024 |
| Coverage area | Same region | Same region |
| Who gets it | Existing numbers keep 904 | New lines issued 324 |
| Status | “Legacy” / established | New overlay |
| Dialing | 10-digit required | 10-digit required |
If you currently have a 904 number, you keep it. New subscribers opening lines after February 2024 may receive a 324 number. Some Jacksonville locals already consider 904 a “vintage” badge of honor — a sign that you’ve been part of the Bold City for a long time.
Is the 904 Area Code a Scam?
This is one of the most searched questions about area code 904 — and it deserves a clear answer.
904 is not inherently a scam area code. It is a legitimate U.S. area code serving Northeast Florida. However, like any area code, scammers can spoof 904 numbers to make calls appear local and trustworthy.
How to Spot a 904 Scam Call
- You don’t recognize the number and the caller asks for personal information
- The caller claims to be from a government agency demanding immediate payment
- You receive a robocall offering prizes or threatening legal action
- The number calls repeatedly but leaves no voicemail
What to Do
- Don’t answer unknown 904 numbers if you’re not expecting a call
- Use a reverse phone lookup tool to check the number before calling back
- Report suspicious numbers to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry
Legitimate businesses and residents in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and surrounding 904 cities will never pressure you for sensitive information over the phone.
904 Area Code for Business
Having a local 904 phone number is one of the smartest moves for any business operating in Northeast Florida.
Why a Local 904 Number Builds Customer Trust
Studies consistently show that people are far more likely to answer a call from a local area code than from an unknown or toll-free number. When customers see 904 on their screen, they immediately recognize it as a trusted local contact from Jacksonville or the surrounding area.
A local number signals:
- You’re based in the community
- You understand the local market
- You’re not an out-of-state operation
This is especially powerful in service industries — healthcare, real estate, legal, insurance, and home services — where customers want to work with someone nearby.
Top Industries in the 904 Area
Jacksonville ranks 12th nationally for new business startups, and the region is home to several Fortune 500 companies. The 904 area code is a hub for:
- Finance & Banking — VyStar Credit Union, TIAA Bank, Ameris Bank, Fidelity National Financial
- Healthcare — Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, UF Health Jacksonville, Baptist Health, Ascension St. Vincent’s
- Logistics & Transportation — CSX Transportation, Crowley Maritime, JAXPORT, Landstar System
- Technology & Fintech — FIS (Fidelity National Information Services), Black Knight, Fanatics
- Insurance — Fidelity National Financial, Brightway Insurance, Main Street America Group
With over 1 million residents and an annual growth rate of 1.14%, Jacksonville continues to attract new businesses — and every one of them needs a recognizable local number.
How to Get a 904 Area Code Number
Getting a 904 number is straightforward through a VoIP provider:
- Choose a VoIP service (Ooma, GoodCall, GlobalCallForwarding, RingCentral, etc.)
- Select a plan that fits your business size
- Pick an available 904 number from their inventory
- Set up call routing, voicemail, and auto-attendant
- Start receiving local calls within minutes
VoIP providers are generally more flexible and affordable than traditional carriers, which often have limited 904 number availability.
Neighboring Area Codes
The 904 area code sits in the northeastern corner of Florida, bordered by several other codes:
| Area Code | Region |
|---|---|
| 324 | Overlay — same Jacksonville region |
| 352 | Gainesville / Ocala, FL |
| 386 | Daytona Beach / Palm Coast, FL |
| 850 | Florida Panhandle (Tallahassee, Pensacola) |
| 912 | Savannah, GA (just across the state border) |
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 904
Where is the 904 area code?
Area code 904 is located in Northeast Florida, covering Jacksonville and surrounding counties including Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Clay, and Baker.
What time zone is area code 904?
The 904 area code follows Eastern Time (ET) — EST (UTC−5) in winter and EDT (UTC−4) during Daylight Saving Time.
Is 904 a Florida area code?
Yes. Area code 904 is exclusively a Florida area code, serving the First Coast region of Northeast Florida.
What is the new area code for Jacksonville?
Area code 324 was introduced on February 26, 2024 as an overlay to 904, serving the same geographic region.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 904 calls?
Yes. Since the 324 overlay launched, mandatory 10-digit dialing is required for all calls in the 904/324 numbering plan area — including local calls.
Is the 904 area code a scam?
No. 904 is a legitimate area code for Northeast Florida. However, scammers can spoof any area code including 904. Always verify unknown calls before sharing personal information.
Can I still get a 904 number?
Availability may be limited since the number pool is nearly exhausted, but VoIP providers still have 904 numbers in stock. New lines may be assigned 324 instead.
What county is area code 904?
Area code 904 covers Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Clay, and Baker counties in Florida.
Conclusion
The 904 area code is far more than just a phone prefix. It’s the identity of Northeast Florida — a region anchored by Jacksonville’s booming economy, historic communities like St. Augustine, and a growing population that has nearly doubled since the 1980s.
From its origins as a 1965 split of area code 305, through multiple splits, to the 2024 launch of the 324 overlay, area code 904 has grown alongside the First Coast itself.
Whether you’re a local resident, a business owner looking to establish a trusted local presence, or someone trying to identify an incoming call — now you know everything there is to know about the 904 area code.
