The 279 area code is an overlay serving the Sacramento metropolitan area in California, layered directly over the long-established 916 code. Introduced in 2018 to meet rising demand for new phone numbers around the state capital, 279 covers the exact same territory as 916. If a 279 number has appeared on your caller ID, this guide explains where it comes from, how to dial it, and how to stay safe from spoofed calls.
Quick Summary: Area Code 279 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 279 |
| State | California (CA) |
| Major Cities | Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, Folsom |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (PT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 916 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 279 covers the Sacramento region in the northern Central Valley, including most of Sacramento County and parts of Placer, Sutter, and Yolo counties. Because it is an overlay, it shares the identical footprint of the 916 area code rather than covering a separate zone.
Cities and communities served by the 279 area code include:
- Sacramento – the capital of California and the region’s economic and political hub
- Elk Grove & Rancho Cordova – major southern and eastern suburbs
- Roseville & Rocklin – fast-growing Placer County communities
- Folsom & Citrus Heights – established suburbs east and northeast of the city
As a newer code over the seat of California’s government, 279 numbers are typically assigned to residents and businesses who obtained phone service after the region’s original 916 numbers grew scarce.
A Brief History of Area Code 279
Area code 279 was activated in 2018 as an all-services overlay on the 916 region. An overlay adds a second area code across the same geographic area, so existing 916 customers kept their numbers while new lines could be assigned either 916 or 279. To make the overlay work, the Sacramento area switched to mandatory 10-digit dialing, ensuring every number remains unique even when two codes share the same streets.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 279 area code use Pacific Time (PT). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from PST (UTC-8) to PDT (UTC-7) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 279
Because 279 is an overlay of 916, the Sacramento area requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Always include the area code – 279-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-279-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 279 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 279 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 279 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 279 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 279 is a legitimate California area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, because 279 is tied to the Sacramento area and state government, scammers frequently spoof it, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from an official local line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics the first six digits of your own number, is especially common.
Common scam tactics linked to this region
| Scam type | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| Government impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS, SSA, or a “state agency” threatening arrest or fines |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of “suspicious activity” seeking your account details |
| Utility shut-off threats | Demands for immediate payment to avoid disconnection |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a “failed delivery” with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 279 callers
- Never share personal or financial details with an unexpected caller, however urgent they sound.
- Block the number using your phone’s built-in call-blocking feature or a reputable call-screening app.
- Look up the number with a trusted reverse phone lookup before returning any call.
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at DoNotCall.gov.
Nearby & Related Area Codes in California
Area code 279 sits alongside several other Northern California codes:
- 916 – the original Sacramento code that 279 overlays (see our 916 area code guide)
- 530 – the northern and mountain counties surrounding the metro
- 209 – Stockton, Modesto, and the northern San Joaquin Valley (see our 209 area code guide)
- 707 – the North Bay and Wine Country (see our 707 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our California area codes hub, or browse every prefix in our US area codes directory.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State – every area code across all 50 states in one directory.
Explore Neighboring States
Researching area codes just across the state line? Start with these codes in the states that border California:
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 279
Where is the 279 area code located?
Area code 279 covers the Sacramento metropolitan area in California, including Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, and Folsom. It operates on Pacific Time as an overlay of area code 916.
What is the difference between 279 and 916?
There is no geographic difference. 279 is an overlay covering the exact same area as 916; it was added simply to supply more phone numbers as the region grew.
Is 279 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 279 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout the Sacramento region.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 279 number?
If you are not expecting the call, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, while spoofed or robocall numbers usually will not. Verify any unfamiliar number with a reverse lookup before calling back.
Related 279 Guides
- Is a 279 call safe? Read Is area code 279 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Sacramento area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.