916 Area Code: Sacramento's Number in California's Capital

916 has served Sacramento since 1947, tying California's seat of government to one of the state's longest-running and most stable area codes.

History & Coverage

916 originally covered a huge portion of Northern California. As the region grew, 209, 530, and 707 split off to serve surrounding areas, and the 279 overlay was added in 2022 to serve the Sacramento core.

Why Businesses Choose 916

• State government proximity: as California's capital, 916 carries strong weight for lobbying, legal, and government-adjacent businesses
• Agribusiness heritage: Sacramento Valley's rich farmland supports a major agricultural trade and processing industry under 916
• Bay Area overflow growth: as Bay Area costs rise, Sacramento has attracted tech companies and remote workers, adding new relevance to 916

Key Industries & Neighborhoods

Downtown Sacramento and the Capitol Mall anchor government, legal, and lobbying firms, while Midtown adds a growing creative, restaurant, and tech scene benefiting from Bay Area migration.

Fun Facts

• Sacramento is often called the "Farm-to-Fork Capital" due to its proximity to some of California's richest agricultural land
• The city has seen a notable influx of Bay Area tech workers and companies seeking lower costs while staying within California

Conclusion

For government, agribusiness, and tech companies expanding beyond the Bay Area, 916 remains the definitive number for California's capital region.