Area code 804 serves central Virginia, including Richmond, Henrico, Petersburg, and Colonial Heights. It was created in 1973 from a split of the original 703 area code to manage growing demand across the state. Richmond, the state capital, anchors the 804 region, which plays a major role in government, finance, and education. The area code is widely recognized and frequently used in local marketing and identity. 804 remains a standalone code and a significant marker of central Virginia's historical and economic importance.