Buy a Local Phone Number – Area Code 856 (Camden, New Jersey)

Created in 1999 through a split from 609, 856 organizes calling across Camden and a broad sweep of South Jersey’s Delaware River towns and inland communities. The numbering change reflected population growth in the Philadelphia suburban corridor (Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel, Moorestown) and the expansion of services in Gloucester, Cumberland, and Salem counties. Camden remains the historic anchor, with a legacy of industry along the waterfront and newer “eds-and-meds” institutions reshaping its skyline.

• Ports and logistics: Port of Camden and Gloucester Marine Terminal handle breakbulk fruit, steel, and project cargo; I‑295/NJ Turnpike corridors support warehousing.
• Eds and meds: Cooper University Health Care, Rutgers–Camden, and the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University form a regional healthcare and research hub.
• Manufacturing and engineering: Glassmaking in Millville/Vineland, nuclear and energy equipment in Camden, and defense radar work in Moorestown.
• Food and consumer brands: Campbell Soup’s long presence in Camden, plus food processing tied to nearby farms.
• Suburban commerce: Retail centers and office parks around Cherry Hill and Mount Laurel attract regional employers.

Culturally, the code leans toward the Delaware Valley: Philadelphia media, commuter patterns, and sports loyalties are prominent. Italian American delis, South Jersey diners, and Latinx festivals in Camden, Vineland, and Bridgeton highlight local heritage. Waterfront revitalization (Battleship New Jersey, aquarium, concert venue) sits alongside long-standing neighborhoods, while the Delaware Bayshore and nearby Pinelands shape seasonal farm markets and outdoor recreation. Millville’s motorsports park and glass arts institutions add distinctive regional touchpoints.