Boost Your Business with the 686 Area Code Virtual Number in VA! Are you looking to establish or expand your business in Virginia, specifically in the Richmond metropolitan area? Dialaxy offers virtual phone numbers with the 686 area code, helping you connect with customers in this thriving region. With a 686 area code number, you can tap into Richmond’s growing business landscape while enhancing your local presence and communication. Try for FreeRequest a Demo Endorsed by top industry leaders Trusted by industry experts for excellence and innovation. What is the 686 Area Code? The 686 area code serves parts of central Virginia, covering key cities like Richmond, Petersburg, Chesterfield, Henrico, and Hopewell. It was introduced as an overlay for the 804 area code in 2024 to accommodate increasing demand for phone numbers. Richmond, the state’s capital, is a major financial, healthcare, and technology hub, attracting businesses and professionals from diverse industries. The 686 area code allows companies to establish a presence in this vibrant economic region without needing a physical location. Country USA State Virginia Major Cities Richmond, Petersburg, Chesterfield, Henrico, Hopewell Time Zone Eastern Time Zone Telephone Number Format +1 686-XXX-XXXX Example Number +1 686-209-9876 A Brief History of the 686 Area Code The 686 area code was introduced as an overlay to the existing 804 area code, ensuring a steady supply of phone numbers for businesses and residents in central Virginia. Unlike traditional area code splits, overlays allow customers to keep their current numbers while new numbers are assigned under the additional area code. The 804 area code had served the region since 1973, but with Richmond’s expanding economy and population growth, demand for phone numbers surged. To address this, Virginia introduced the 686 overlay on February 1, 2024. Now, both 804 and 686 serve the same geographic area, requiring 10-digit dialing for local calls. Since its implementation, the 686 area code has supported Richmond’s growing business environment, ensuring seamless communication for industries like finance, healthcare, technology, and logistics. The Geography and Key Cities of the 686 Area Code The 686 area code covers central Virginia, including major cities and economic hubs such as: Richmond: The capital city, known for its financial sector, healthcare institutions, and corporate headquarters. Petersburg: A city with a rich historical background and a growing business environment. Chesterfield: A fast-growing suburban area offering a mix of residential and commercial developments. Henrico: A key part of the Richmond metro area with strong retail and industrial sectors. Hopewell: An industrial hub with a strong presence in manufacturing and logistics. 686 Area Code: Key Economic and Income Statistics The statistics for the 686 area code come from ZIP Atlas, which collects data from government and public sources. These numbers, like population, income, and housing costs, show general trends in the region. However, for the most accurate and updated details, it’s best to check official sources like the U.S. Census Bureau or local government reports. Statistic Details Population Richmond metro area has over 1.2 million people, driving regional growth. Median Household Income Around $71,000, higher than Virginia’s state average. Unemployment Rate Approximately 3.2%, reflecting a strong job market. Labor Force Participation Rate About 64%, indicating active workforce engagement. Median Home Price Roughly $320,000, showing rising demand in housing. Average Rent A 1-bedroom apartment in Richmond averages $1,400 per month. Key Industries Finance, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and technology. Poverty Rate Around 12%, lower than the national average. Per Capita Income Approximately $42,000, showing steady income growth. Median Age 37 years, reflecting a balanced workforce demographic. How Does a 686 Area Code Business Phone Number Work? Here are the steps on how it works: Dialing the Number: A caller dials the full phone number, including the 686 area code. Identifying the Area Code: The telecommunication network detects the 686 area code to route the call. Routing the Call The network directs the call to the correct geographic location in central Virginia. Identifying the Local Exchange Carrier: The network identifies the local service provider responsible for handling the call. Connecting the Call: The call is handed off to the recipient, ensuring a smooth and clear connection. Dialing a 686 Number: Country Code (1): Represents the United States. Area Code (686): Directs the call to central Virginia. Local Exchange (e.g., 209): A three-digit local exchange code (For Richmond, etc.). Subscriber Number (e.g., 9876): A unique four-digit line number assigned to the recipient. With Dialaxy’s services, your 686 area code number comes with call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and intelligent call routing, ensuring seamless communication with customers and clients. Who’s Doing Business in Area Code 686? The 686 area code region is home to various high-profile businesses across multiple industries: Finance Richmond houses headquarters for major banks like Capital One and Bank of America. Healthcare Institutions like VCU Health and Bon Secours Health System drive the medical sector. Technology Startups and tech firms are growing rapidly, boosting the innovation economy. Logistics & Transportation Companies like UPS, Amazon, and FedEx operate major hubs in the region. Why Choose a 686 Area Code Virtual Phone Number for Your Business? Build Local Trust in Richmond A 686 area code establishes your business presence in Richmond, Petersburg, and central Virginia, making customers feel more comfortable reaching out. A local number enhances trust and strengthens relationships within the community. Expand Your Market Reach With a 686 number, you’re not limited to one location. You can connect with customers across central Virginia, improving brand visibility and making it easier for potential clients to contact you. Stay Accessible Anywhere Dialaxy’s VoIP technology lets you use your 686 phone number from anywhere—whether you're in another state or country. This ensures your business remains reachable at all times. Enhance Business Credibility A local 686 area code gives your business a professional and established image, reassuring customers that they’re working with a reliable company in their region. Scale Easily as You Grow With Dialaxy’s flexible VoIP services, you can add multiple 686 numbers for different departments or locations. This ensures seamless communication as your business expands. Leverage Advanced Communication Features With a 686 area code number, you gain access to Dialaxy’s powerful communication tools, including call routing, voicemail-to-email, and call forwarding. These features streamline operations, ensuring you can manage calls efficiently and enhance customer experience. Enjoy 100+ Dialaxy’s features with local phone number Call, SMS, & Contact in one easy to use app. Phone Numbers Global Calling SMS Voicemail Number Sharing Contacts All Features Phone Numbers Expand your reach with Virtual Phone Numbers International Numbers: Establish a local presence of your business with our international phone numbers . Toll Free Numbers: Elevate your sales strategy and drive business growth with Toll Free Numbers. Multiple Phone Numbers: Use multiple phone numbers in one single dashboard. Explore our apps Global Calling Connect globally with effortless calls Extended Reach: Enables businesses to expand their market by reaching international customers. Flexibility: Allows employees to make international calls from anywhere. Seamless Communication: Ensures clear and reliable communication with international contacts. Learn More SMS Enhance communication with SMS capabilities A2P 10DLC: Register your number in A2P 10DLC to send sms within US and Canada. Schedule SMS: Schedule SMS as per your customer timezone so they don’t miss an update. Personalised Messaging: Personalise SMS depending upon your user and its behaviour. Learn More Voicemail Easily manage messages with Voicemail Voicemail Recording: Personalized voicemail greetings for different departments Message Management: Messages are stored in the cloud, allowing for easy access. Access and Playback: Listen to voicemails from any internet-connected device. Learn More Number Sharing Enhance collaboration with effortless Number Sharing Unified communication: With number sharing, multiple devices can use the same phone number. Convenience: Seamlessly switch between devices without missing calls or texts. Cost Efficiency: Reduce costs by eliminating the need for multiple phone plans. Learn More Contacts Effortlessly manage your contacts Add and delete contact: Add and delete new contacts as the business grows. Centralized Information: Stores all relevant contact details in one place, making it easy to access and manage. Improved Organization: Helps organize contacts into groups or categories, enabling better management. Learn More Frequently Asked Questions What is the 686 area code?The 686 area code is an overlay for the 804 area code, serving central Virginia, including major cities like Richmond, Petersburg, and surrounding areas. It ensures a continuous supply of phone numbers for businesses and residents. Why was the 686 area code introduced?With the increasing demand for new phone numbers in the 804 area code region, the 686 overlay was introduced in 2024. This prevents number shortages while allowing businesses and individuals to keep their existing 804 numbers. Can I use a 686 area code number outside of Richmond?Absolutely! With Dialaxy’s VoIP services, you can use a 686 phone number from anywhere, whether you’re in Virginia, another state, or even internationally. This provides flexibility and mobility for businesses and professionals. What features come with a 686 area code business phone number?Dialaxy’s 686 area code virtual phone numbers come with advanced communication features, including: Voicemail-to-email for efficient message retrieval Call forwarding to stay connected on any device Call recording for quality assurance and compliance Smart call routing to direct calls to the right team members Can I add multiple 686 area code numbers for my business?Yes! With Dialaxy’s scalable VoIP solutions, you can easily add multiple 686 area code numbers to organize communication across different teams, departments, or locations—helping your business stay professional and efficient. Is a contract required to get a 686 area code number?No! Dialaxy offers flexible, no-contract VoIP services, allowing you to get a 686 area code number without long-term commitments. This makes it easy to scale your business communications as needed.