Area codes are three-digit numbers that help route phone calls to specific geographic regions. This article focuses on the 848 area code, which serves central New Jersey.
Geographic Coverage and Location
Area code 848 serves the central part of New Jersey, including cities and communities like:
- New Brunswick
- Lakewood Township
- Edison
- Toms River
- Old Bridge
It’s what’s known as an overlay for area code 732, meaning that it covers the same geographic area. The area’s proximity to New York City has made it a desirable place to live, and the population density required an additional area code to meet demand.
Time Zone
If you’re calling a number with the 848 area code, remember that you’re calling someone in the Eastern Time Zone (ET). That could be either Eastern Standard Time (EST) or Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), depending on the time of year.
Daylight Saving Time begins on March 9, 2025, and ends on November 2, 2025.
Economic and demographic overview
The 848 area code covers a region with a diverse economy. Key industries include pharmaceuticals, healthcare, education, telecommunications, and light manufacturing. Rutgers University, Johnson & Johnson, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital are among the area’s major employers.
The area is densely populated and home to people from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. The median household income in the 848 area code is above the national average.
Key Takeaways
The 848 area code covers the same central New Jersey communities as the 732 area code. Both are in the Eastern time zone, and the region is economically vital to the state.
The 848 area code was introduced as an overlay to 732 because the earlier one was running out of available phone numbers.