504 Area CodeNew Orleans, LA
Area code 504 covers New Orleans and nearby communities in Louisiana, in the Central Time (CT) zone, home to about 827,000 people across 30 cities. It overlays 318 and 985, so the region uses several codes and every local call needs all ten digits.
Overview
- Major City
- New Orleans
- State
- Louisiana (LA)
- Timezone
- Central Time (CT)
- Current Time
- Overlay
- Yes – shares area with 318, 985
Overview of the 504 Area Code
What is the 504 area code?
The 504 area code serves New Orleans, Louisiana, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 504 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 504 created?
The 504 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in New Orleans once the existing area codes 318 and 985 began to run out of available prefixes. It added a new supply of numbers without requiring current residents to change their existing digits.
Geographic Coverage of the 504 Area Code
The 504 area code serves New Orleans and surrounding areas in Louisiana. It operates within the Central Time (CT) time zone. It complements the coverage of area codes 318 and 985. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- New Orleans
- Metairie
- Kenner
- Marrero
- Terrytown
- Harvey
Got a call from a 504 number? It came from New Orleans, LA. Since 504 overlays with 318 and 985, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 504, New Orleans holds about 44% of the population; the rest is split across 29 smaller cities.
New Orleans Area Codes Overview
New Orleans is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 504 area code operates alongside 318, 985. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 504 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 504 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | LA | 362,701 | 9% | 100% |
| Metairie | LA | 138,481 | 1% | 100% |
| Kenner | LA | 64,650 | 0% | 100% |
| Marrero | LA | 33,141 | 0% | 100% |
| Terrytown | LA | 23,319 | 0% | 100% |
| Harvey | LA | 20,348 | 0% | 100% |
| Gretna | LA | 17,185 | 0% | 100% |
| Chalmette | LA | 16,751 | 0% | 100% |
| Estelle | LA | 16,377 | 0% | 100% |
| River Ridge | LA | 13,494 | 0% | 100% |
* Sources: Population – U.S. Census Bureau PEP, Vintage 2024 (SUB-IP-EST2024-POP). Area code assignments – NANPA CO Code data. See our data methodology.
Has area code 504 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 518 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 504 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 82% robocalls
- ↓ 40% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other68%353
- Medical & prescriptions11%55
- Dropped call or no message7%38
* Caller ID is easily spoofed, so these figures reflect the number shown on caller ID, not the caller's true location – an area code alone never identifies a caller. The FTC does not verify the facts in these complaints. Source: FTC Do Not Call (DNC) Reported Calls Data, retrieved 2026-07-05.
Which prefixes and exchanges belong to area code 504?
54% assigned to a telco
- 68% Landline
- 32% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (504)200- | Landline | Network Telephone |
| (504)201- | Wireless | New Cingular Wireless Pcs |
| (504)202- | Landline | At&T |
| (504)203- | Landline | Onvoy Spectrum |
| (504)205- | Landline | Metropcs |
| (504)206- | Wireless | Sprint Spectrum |
| (504)207- | Landline | Windstream Nuvox |
| (504)208- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
| (504)209- | Landline | Metropcs |
| (504)210- | Landline | Deltacom |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 504 Area Code
Who called me from a 504 number?
A 504 number is assigned to New Orleans, Louisiana, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 504 code to look nearby, so a 504 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 518 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 504 code (82% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 504 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 504 is a normal, officially assigned code for New Orleans, Louisiana. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 504 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 518 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 504 code (82% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 504 area code?
Repeated calls from different 504 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 504 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 518 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 504 code (82% flagged as robocalls). Blocking one number rarely helps; voicemail screening, your carrier spam filter, and the Do Not Call Registry work better.
Should I answer an unknown 504 number?
If you aren't expecting a 504 call, let it ring to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, most robocallers hang up when no one picks up, and answering can mark your number as active and bring more calls.
How do I block calls from the 504 area code?
Block a single 504 number from your recent-calls list (iPhone: tap the number, then Block this Caller; Android: tap the number, then Block or report spam). To cut the volume, turn on Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone or spam protection on Android, enable spam filtering from your carrier, and register at DoNotCall.gov. Blocking the entire 504 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 504?
Area code 504 covers New Orleans and the surrounding area in Louisiana, spanning 30 cities with about 827,298 residents. It shares its area with overlay codes 318, 985.
Is 504 a real area code?
Yes. 504 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for New Orleans, Louisiana. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 504 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 504 area code in?
The 504 area code is in the Central Time (CT). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 504 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 504 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 504 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 504 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.