516 Area CodeHempstead, NY
Area code 516 covers Hempstead and nearby communities in New York, in the Eastern Time (ET) zone, home to about 1.4 million people across 137 cities. It overlays 363, so the same region uses both and every local call needs all ten digits.
Overview
- Major City
- Hempstead
- State
- New York (NY)
- Timezone
- Eastern Time (ET)
- Current Time
- Overlay
- Yes – shares area with 363
Where is area code 516?
Area code 516 serves part of Hempstead, NY and the surrounding areas. It has a single overlay (363) that serves the same area.
Overview of the 516 Area Code
What is the 516 area code?
The 516 area code serves Hempstead, New York, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 516 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 516 created?
The 516 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Hempstead once the existing area code 363 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 516 Area Code
The 516 area code serves Hempstead and surrounding areas in New York. It operates within the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It complements the coverage of area code 363. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Hempstead
- Levittown
- Freeport
- Hicksville
- Valley Stream
- East Meadow
Got a call from a 516 number? It came from Hempstead, NY. Since 516 overlays with 363, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 516, Hempstead holds about 4% of the population; the rest is split across 136 smaller cities.
Hempstead Area Codes Overview
Hempstead is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 516 area code operates alongside 363. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 516 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 516 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hempstead | NY | 59,569 | 1% | 100% |
| Levittown | NY | 51,881 | 2% | 100% |
| Freeport | NY | 44,028 | 1% | 100% |
| Hicksville | NY | 41,547 | 2% | 100% |
| Valley Stream | NY | 40,232 | 1% | 100% |
| East Meadow | NY | 38,132 | 1% | 100% |
| Long Beach | NY | 34,777 | 1% | 100% |
| Elmont | NY | 33,198 | 1% | 99% |
| Oceanside | NY | 32,109 | 1% | 100% |
| Franklin Square | NY | 29,320 | 1% | 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 516 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 695 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 516 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 52% robocalls
- ↓ 0% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other36%252
- Lotteries, prizes & sweepstakes13%87
- Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)12%86
* 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 516?
77% assigned to a telco
- 68% Landline
- 32% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (516)200- | Landline | Onvoy |
| (516)201- | Landline | Omnipoint Communications |
| (516)202- | Landline | Onvoy |
| (516)203- | Landline | Tc Systems |
| (516)204- | Wireless | Sprint Spectrum |
| (516)205- | Landline | Omnipoint Communications |
| (516)206- | Wireless | Sprint Spectrum |
| (516)207- | Landline | Onvoy |
| (516)208- | Landline | Cablevision Lightpath |
| (516)209- | Wireless | New Cingular Wireless Pcs |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 516 Area Code
Who called me from a 516 number?
A 516 number is assigned to Hempstead, New York, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 516 code to look nearby, so a 516 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 695 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 516 code (52% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 516 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 516 is a normal, officially assigned code for Hempstead, New York. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 516 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 695 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 516 code (52% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 516 area code?
Repeated calls from different 516 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 516 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 695 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 516 code (52% 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 516 number?
If you aren't expecting a 516 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 516 area code?
Block a single 516 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 516 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 516?
Area code 516 covers Hempstead and the surrounding area in New York, spanning 137 cities with about 1,394,102 residents. It shares its area with overlay code 363.
Is 516 a real area code?
Yes. 516 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Hempstead, New York. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 516 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 516 area code in?
The 516 area code is in the Eastern Time (ET). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 516 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 516 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 516 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 516 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.