856 Area CodeCamden, NJ
Area code 856 covers Camden and nearby communities in New Jersey, in the Eastern Time (ET) zone, home to about 662,000 people across 86 cities. It overlays 609, so the same region uses both and every local call needs all ten digits.
Overview
- Major City
- Camden
- State
- New Jersey (NJ)
- Timezone
- Eastern Time (ET)
- Current Time
- Overlay
- Yes – shares area with 609
Where is area code 856?
Area code 856 serves part of Camden, NJ and the surrounding areas. It has a single overlay (609) that serves the same area.
Overview of the 856 Area Code
What is the 856 area code?
The 856 area code serves Camden, New Jersey, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 856 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 856 created?
The 856 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Camden once the existing area code 609 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 856 Area Code
The 856 area code serves Camden and surrounding areas in New Jersey. It operates within the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It complements the coverage of area code 609. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Camden
- Vineland
- Millville
- Bridgeton
- Glassboro
- Lindenwold
Got a call from an 856 number? It came from Camden, NJ. Since 856 overlays with 609, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 856, Camden holds about 11% of the population; the rest is split across 85 smaller cities.
Camden Area Codes Overview
Camden is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 856 area code operates alongside 609. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 856 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 856 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | NJ | 71,749 | 1% | 100% |
| Vineland | NJ | 62,070 | 5% | 100% |
| Millville | NJ | 27,838 | 3% | 100% |
| Bridgeton | NJ | 27,722 | 0% | 100% |
| Glassboro | NJ | 24,322 | 1% | 100% |
| Lindenwold | NJ | 21,919 | 0% | 100% |
| Williamstown | NJ | 15,567 | 0% | 100% |
| Springdale | NJ | 14,518 | 0% | 100% |
| Collingswood | NJ | 14,344 | 0% | 100% |
| Moorestown-Lenola | NJ | 14,217 | 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 856 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 1,236 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 856 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 78% robocalls
- ↓ 18% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)42%523
- Other34%423
- Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends7%89
* 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 856?
63% assigned to a telco
- 85% Landline
- 15% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (856)200- | Wireless | Sprint Spectrum |
| (856)202- | Landline | Monmouth Telephone And Telegraph |
| (856)203- | Landline | Monmouth Telephone And Telegraph |
| (856)204- | Landline | Ymax Communications |
| (856)205- | Landline | Verizon New Jersey |
| (856)206- | Landline | Comcast Ip Phone |
| (856)207- | Wireless | Sprint Spectrum |
| (856)208- | Landline | Atx Telecommunications Services, Ltd. |
| (856)209- | Landline | Local Access |
| (856)210- | Landline | Xo New Jersey |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 856 Area Code
Who called me from a 856 number?
A 856 number is assigned to Camden, New Jersey, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 856 code to look nearby, so a 856 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 1,236 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 856 code (78% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 856 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 856 is a normal, officially assigned code for Camden, New Jersey. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 856 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 1,236 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 856 code (78% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 856 area code?
Repeated calls from different 856 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 856 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 1,236 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 856 code (78% 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 856 number?
If you aren't expecting a 856 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 856 area code?
Block a single 856 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 856 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 856?
Area code 856 covers Camden and the surrounding area in New Jersey, spanning 86 cities with about 661,709 residents. It shares its area with overlay code 609.
Is 856 a real area code?
Yes. 856 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Camden, New Jersey. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 856 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 856 area code in?
The 856 area code is in the Eastern Time (ET). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 856 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 856 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 856 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 856 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.