Area code 984 covers Raleigh and surrounding areas in North Carolina. Local time is Eastern Time, and from outside the U.S. you dial +1 984 before the seven-digit number. It was activated in 2012 as an overlay of area code 919. For the full picture, see all North Carolina area codes.
On this page
| State | North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Primary city | Raleigh |
| Cities also served | Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, Morrisville, Goldsboro, Garner |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5 / UTC-4 DST) |
| Country code | +1 (from abroad: +1 984 + 7 digits) |
| Year established | April 30, 2012 |
| Original 1947 NPA? | No |
| Parent code | 919 |
| Overlay codes | 919 |
| Currently in use? | Yes, actively assigned |
| Ten-digit dialing required? | Yes |
Cities Served by Area Code 984
Area code 984 serves Research Triangle metropolitan area — Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, and surrounding east-central North Carolina counties, including the following cities and communities:
- Raleigh
- Durham
- Cary
- Chapel Hill
- Apex
- Morrisville
- Goldsboro
- Garner
Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 919. Area code assignments are administered by NANPA.
How to Get a 984 Phone Number
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Browse 984 Numbers →There are three ways to get a phone number with the 984 area code, each suited to a different need:
- Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 984 number directly, often with a one-time fee and ownership transferred to you (no recurring carrier fees). This is the option for picking a specific memorable number, or for getting an area code that most carriers won’t let you request. Browse our 984 inventory.
- Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 984 number on request, especially for active overlay codes. You won’t usually get to pick the specific number, but you’ll get a working line in the area code. This is the cheapest option for anyone who doesn’t need a particular number.
- Port an existing 984 number. If you already have a 984 phone number with another carrier, you can transfer it (port it) to a new service provider while keeping the number. This works for landlines, cell phones, and VoIP services, though landlines outside of North Carolina sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 984 numbers due to 911 routing rules.
Looking for a 984 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 984 numbers for Raleigh, North Carolina — choose your number, port it to any carrier in 3–5 business days, and pay a one-time fee with no monthly charges. Browse available 984 numbers →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 984 area code still in use?
Yes. 984 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Research Triangle metropolitan area — Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, and surrounding east-central North Carolina counties.
What is the difference between 984 and 919?
Today they share the same geographic territory in North Carolina. New phone lines in the area may be assigned either code. The two codes work identically for calling, billing, and service.
What is the parent area code of 984?
Area code 984 is an overlay of 919. Both codes serve the same region of North Carolina.
Can I get a 984 number if I don't live in North Carolina?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 984 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.
Is 984 a scam area code?
No. 984 is a legitimate, active area code for Research Triangle metropolitan area — Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, and surrounding east-central North Carolina counties. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 984 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real North Carolina businesses, government offices, and residents.
What area does the 984 area code cover?
Area code 984 covers east-central North Carolina, including Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, Morrisville, Goldsboro, and surrounding communities across 12 counties in the Research Triangle region.
Is 984 an overlay of 919?
Yes. Area code 984 is a direct overlay of 919. Both codes serve the identical geographic territory. Because of the overlay, all local calls in the region require ten-digit dialing.
When did area code 984 go into service?
NANPA put area code 984 into service on April 30, 2012. A permissive dialing period ran from October 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012, after which ten-digit dialing became mandatory across the Triangle.
Why was 984 created instead of splitting 919?
Regulators chose an overlay rather than a geographic split to avoid forcing existing 919 subscribers to change their numbers. The overlay was originally planned for 2001 but was deferred due to number-pooling conservation; rapid population growth and cell phone proliferation ultimately made it necessary by 2012.
Related Reading
- Why the Right Area Code Matters
- When Did We Start Using Area Codes?
- How Many Area Codes Are In the US?
- Who Invented Area Codes?
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