Elk Grove, California

Area code 916

State: California
Region: Pacific
Time zone: PT
Type: Geographic

Got a missed call from 916?

Our directory lists 916 for Elk Grove, California, but an area code alone cannot establish who is calling. Scammers can fake caller ID to match the first six digits of the number they are dialing, a trick called neighbor spoofing, so a familiar-looking code proves nothing about who is really calling.

If you were not expecting the call, let it go to voicemail. Verify the caller through a trusted contact method before returning the call, and never share personal details with an unverified caller.

Worth knowing: an area code no longer tells you where someone is. Mobile numbers keep their original code when people move, so a 916 number may belong to someone who left California years ago.

Frequently asked questions about 916

Where is area code 916?

Our directory lists area code 916 for Elk Grove, California. The listed city is a reference location, not a complete coverage map. A phone number's area code does not establish the caller's current location.

What time zone is area code 916 in?

This directory uses Pacific Time (PT) for California. This is state-level guidance; confirm the recipient's local time before calling.

Is area code 916 a scam?

An area code alone cannot tell you whether a call is genuine. Caller ID can be spoofed, including numbers that appear local. Let unexpected calls go to voicemail and verify the caller independently before sharing personal information.

Is area code 916 toll-free?

The directory lists 916 as a geographic area code, not a toll-free code. US toll-free codes include 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, and 888. Your carrier and calling plan determine any charges.

Where Is Area Code 916?

Area code 916 serves the Sacramento metropolitan region in California’s Central Valley. Its footprint centers on Sacramento County and includes parts of nearby Placer and Yolo counties. Major cities in the region include Sacramento, Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, and West Sacramento.

The region lies in the northern Central Valley, near the meeting of the Sacramento and American rivers. Notable landmarks include the California State Capitol, Old Sacramento, and the American River Parkway. The area code covers a metropolitan region, not all of Northern California, and its boundaries do not follow county lines exactly.

Cities and Communities in the 916 Area Code

Citrus Heights, Sacramento County
Elk Grove, Sacramento County
Folsom, Sacramento County
Rancho Cordova, Sacramento County
Roseville, Placer County
Sacramento, Sacramento County
West Sacramento, Yolo County

History of Area Code 916

Area code 916 began in 1947 as one of the original area codes in the North American Numbering Plan. It first covered a much larger part of Northern California than it does today. The region’s phone system later gained separate area codes as demand for phone numbers and service grew.

On November 1, 1997, area code 530 split from 916 and took in northern and northeastern communities, including Redding and Chico. Sacramento and nearby communities kept 916. To add more numbers without changing the area’s boundaries, California introduced the 279 overlay on March 10, 2018. The overlay made ten-digit dialing necessary for local calls.

Key Facts About Area Code 916

Area code 916 serves California’s Sacramento region, including the major city of Elk Grove.
The 916 region is in the Pacific census region and follows Pacific Time.
Area code 916 is a geographic area code, not a toll-free code.
Area code 916 was established in 1947 as one of the original North American area codes.
Area code 530 split from 916 on November 1, 1997, reducing 916’s coverage area.
Area code 279 became an overlay for the 916 region on March 10, 2018.
Local calls in the 916 and 279 overlay region use ten-digit dialing.
The 916 area includes California State University, Sacramento, the California State Capitol, and Old Sacramento.