The area code 803 is located in Columbia, South Carolina.
Area code 803 serves the heart of the Midlands in central Columbia, South Carolina, covering the state capital and key hubs along I‑20, I‑26, and I‑77. It includes major landmarks like the South Carolina State House, the University of South Carolina, Fort Jackson (the U.S. Army’s largest basic training installation), and nearby Lake Murray. The region blends government, education, military, and outdoor recreation, with Congaree National Park—South Carolina’s only national park—just southeast of Columbia. If you see a phone number with 803, it most likely connects to central South Carolina.
Major cities and communities in 803 include:
“Area code 803 was assigned in 1947 to the entire state of South Carolina.” — Source: North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA)
Established in 1947, 803 is one of the original North American area codes and once covered all of South Carolina before splits created 864 (Upstate, 1995) and 843 (Coastal, 1998). Today, 803 is overlaid by area code 839, so 10‑digit dialing is required for local calls across the region. The code anchors a fast‑growing corridor that links the Columbia metro with communities stretching toward the Charlotte border and the Savannah River valley. For anyone searching South Carolina phone numbers, area code 803 signals the state’s central core—home to the capital, major universities, and historic towns that define the Midlands.