What is 803 area code?

The 803 area code is a telephone area code in South Carolina, United States. It is one of the original area codes introduced in 1947 and initially covered the entire state. However, as the population grew and demand for telephone numbers increased, area code 803 was split to accommodate this need. Today, area code 803 covers the central region of South Carolina, including major cities such as Columbia (the state capital), Aiken, Rock Hill, and Sumter.

In 1995, area code 864 was created for the Upstate region, and in 1998, area code 843 was introduced for the Lowcountry and coastal areas, further reducing the geographic area that 803 covers. The region served by area code 803 is diverse and encompasses a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas.