The area code 839 is located in Columbia, South Carolina.
Area code 839 serves Columbia, South Carolina, and the broader Midlands region. It is an overlay of the long-standing 803 area, adding more phone number capacity across central South Carolina. Introduced in 2020, 839 covers the same geography as 803, so local calls now use 10‑digit dialing. Columbia is the state capital and home to the University of South Carolina, the South Carolina State House, and Fort Jackson, making this area code central to government, education, and military life.
Major cities and communities covered by the 839/803 overlay include:
You’ll see 839 on new phone numbers in the same places where 803 has long been used, from downtown Columbia to landmarks like Riverbanks Zoo & Garden and Lake Murray. Existing phone numbers kept their 803 area code; only new lines may receive 839. This overlay helps meet demand as the region grows while keeping local calling simple with 10-digit dialing.
“803 is one of the original area codes created in 1947,” according to the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA). The addition of 839 continues that history by supporting businesses, schools, and military installations across central South Carolina. If you see an 839 number, it’s a valid South Carolina phone number serving the same Midlands communities as 803.